The dedicated network of more than 150 local conservation groups helps us bring local issues across Ontario to the attention of the province. Together, we are a powerful collective voice for conservation.
           
Conservation updates for member groups.

Species at Risk Teetering on the Edge

The provincial government is proposing new approaches to getting species off the Species at Risk in Ontario list. And it’s not by addressing threats, preventing further declines or implementing recovery measures. It would simply require basing species assessments on how our most vulnerable plants and animals are doing outside Ontario, not here at home. We don’t believe it’s acceptable to sacrifice species in Ontario just because they’re doing better elsewhere. Please stand with us and the more than 5,625 who have added their names by signing our petition opposing this alarming proposal.

Willow Beach Field Naturalists Member Honoured

Please join us in congratulating Willow Beach Field Naturalist (WBFN) member, Margaret Bain, who received the Cobourg Environmental Award on April 10. Margaret is co-chair of WBFN’s Advisory Committee on Natural Spaces and the author of The Wildlife of Cobourg Harbour (Through the Seasons). She is also a committed and tireless advocate for the region’s wild species and wild spaces. Congratulations and well done, Margaret!

Lend a Hand with Our Special Spaces

Join Ontario Nature’s Youth Council for its 2019 Our Special Spaces conservation volunteering events. You can help create habitat for wild pollinators through a series of planting events this spring in your community. Or help council members clean up local shorelines. Our Special Spaces events are in the works for Hamilton, Markham, Newmarket, Peterborough and many more locales. Don’t forget to check our website over the next few months for more events as they’re added!

Count Species with the Kingston Field Naturalists

2019 marks the Kingston Field Naturalists’ 21st annual BioBlitz and they are inviting participants of all ages and skill levels to join them for this fun and informative event. This year’s BioBlitz will take place from Friday June 14 to Saturday June 15 on Ontario Power Generation’s Lennox Generating Station property in Greater Napanee. This 1,500-acre property has a wetland, an upland meadow and several woodlots. As in past years, the BioBlitz will feature guided walks, a BBQ lunch and activities for children. More details and a location map are available on the Kingston Field Naturalists’ website

Ontario Master Naturalists Program Offers New Summer Nature Camp

Remember being a child at summer camp and exploring nature with your friends? You can relive those days with the Ontario Master Naturalist Program’s new Summer Nature Camp which will be held on the Bruce Peninsula in July. The camp will cover the same material as the Orillia and Thunder Bay programs, but with a focus on the orchids, ferns, birds, sedges, mosses and lichens found in this special area. Spots are filling fast so register soon! More details are available on the Ontario Master Naturalists Program website.

Join the 2019 Tiny Marsh BioBlitz

The Tiny Marsh BioBlitz is back! Join expert naturalists on June 22 to discover the amazing diversity of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, fish and plants that live within Tiny Marsh, near Elmvale. Come for the whole day, part of the day or just one activity – there is something for everyone! And BioBlitz organizers are delighted to introduce the wonders of nature to the next generation through their popular suite of children’s activities. Visit Eventbrite for more information or to register. 

Events

North American Native Plant Society
  • Riverwood Native Plant Sale, Sunday May 19 @ 12:00pm at 4150 Riverwood Park Lane in Mississauga; visit www.nanps.org for more information.
  • Christie Pits Park Native Plant Sale, Sunday May 26 @ 12:00pm at 750 Bloor Street West in Toronto; visit www.nanps.org for more information.
Nature Barrie
  • Birding Barrie, Saturday May 25 @ 8:00am; meet at the Little Lake Parking Lot; for more information contact Jim Coey at 705-543-1866.
  • Swift Night Out, Tuesday evenings in June, July and August; for more information contact Phyllis Tremblay at 705-737-2580.
  • Flora and Fauna of the Oro Rail Trail, Sunday June 2 @ 8:30am; meet at the Little Lake Parking Lot; for more information contact Brian and Lynne Gibbon at 705-721-4599.
  • Outing to the Eastern Bluebird Nest Box Trail at Barrie Hill Farms, Wednesday June 5 @ 7:00pm; meet at the mailbox parking lot at the corner of Seadon Road and Bill Road; for more information contact Dorothy McKeown at 705-817-9572.
  • Matchedash Bay/Tiny Marsh BioBlitz, Friday June 21 @ 3:00pm to Saturday June 22 @ 3:00pm; for more information contact Kate Harries at 705-322-2545.
  • Birding the Carden Alvar, Saturday June 8 @ 7:30am; for more information contact Brian Gibbon at 705-721-4599.
Friends of Second Marsh
  • Feathered Friends Festival: Birds, Butterflies, Bats and Bees, Saturday May 25 @ 10:00am at General Motors Headquarters (1908 Colonel Sam Drive) in Oshawa; for more information visit www.secondmarsh.ca or call 905-723-5047.
York Simcoe Nature Club
  • The Threat of Soil Dumps with Ian McLaurin (Ontario Soil Regulation Task Force, STORM), Tuesday June 11 @ 7:30pm at Queensville Holland Landing United Church (20453 Leslie Street) in Queensville; for more information visit www.ysnatureclub.com.
Orillia Naturalists’ Club
  • Birding Outing to Cowan Trail with Ian Cook, Saturday May 25 @ 7:00am; meet at Zehrs to carpool; for more information contact Rob Henderson at 705-849-6022.
  • Chimney Swift Night with Leanore Wiancko and Kay Prince, Tuesday May 28 @ 8:00am; meet in the Orillia Public Library parking lot; for more information contact Leanore Wiancko at 705-326-5261.
  • Explore the Bruce Peninsula with Arni and Dianne Stinnisen, June 7-9 at Red Bay Lodge (462 Huron Road) on South Bruce Peninsula; for more information contact marilync0629@gmail.com.
Norfolk Field Naturalists
Saugeen Nature
  • Warbler Walk in Camp Oliver Forest, Saturday May 18@ 8:00am; meet at the Sugarman home (473221 Camp Oliver Road) in Priceville; to register contact saugeen-fieldnaturalists@yahoo.ca.
  • Longest Day Nature Outing to Kinghurst Forest Nature Reserve, Saturday June 22@ 6:00pm; meet at the Kinghurst reserve east paking lot near Harrison Lake; for more information and to register contact Clarke at 519-363-2719 or clarkeb@eastlink.ca.
Halton/North Peel Naturalist Club
  • Bees and Beyond: A Pollinator and Biodiversity Workshop, Saturday May 25 @ 10:00am at Halton Hills Cultural Centre (9 Church Street) in Georgetown; for more information visit hnpnc.com/site/pollinator-workshop.

Upcoming Deadlines

The next issue of the Nature Network News will be sent on June 15, 2019. The deadline for submissions is June 1, 2019. Submissions can be sent to naturenetwork@ontarionature.orgPlease note that events can be listed up to two months in advance – allowing others to put it on their calendar well in advance.

Ontario Nature publishes the Ontario Nature Network News every month with contributions from its member groups and staff. Ontario Nature grants permission for use of the information above in member group newsletters. Please credit either Ontario Nature or the member group.

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Photos © Glen Gaffney, Willow Beach Field Naturalists, Emma Kirke, Alex Indigo, MTM Conservation Association