CONTENTS

NEWS FROM MEMBER GROUPS

• Species at Risk in the Lake Nipissing Watershed
• Calendar Sales Net a New Laptop and Projector for Club
• New Initiative from the Couchiching Conservancy
• Stewardship and Gardening - Issues, and Opportunities
• South Peel Naturalists' Club present “An evening with Toronto Wildlife Centre”
• Komoka Park: A Natural Gem on London’s Western Flank
• Willow Beach Field Naturalists AGM and Special Presentation – Students on Ice Arctic Expedition 2007
• Essex Landowners Learn Ways to Care for Nature
• Heritage Trees of High Park, Talk and Walk
• Carden Nature Festival Update
•  ACT Now to Save David Dunlop Park and Observatory!
• New York-Simcoe Naturalists Club Website up and running!
• Petition to Request Core Funding for Wye Marsh
• 3rd Annual Living Green Fair in Port Hope
• Huron Fringe Birding Festival

NEWS FROM MEMBER GROUPS

The Nipissing Naturalist Club acquired funding from the Ontario Species at Risk Stewardship Fund to produce a book on plants; reptiles, amphibians, fish, animals and birds, whose populations within our area have declined. The information in the book is designed to educate and engage the public. The aim is to increase awareness and create a positive attitude towards species at risk, ensuring their survival for future generations.

If you would like to buy a copy of the book by mail enclose a cheque made out to the Nipissing Naturalists Club for $13 ($10 for the book plus $3 postage) to: Angela Martin, 496 Musky Island Rd., Lavigne, ON P0H 1R0

For more information visit www.nipissing-naturalist.com or the Species at Risk website at www.mnr.gov.on.ca/mnr/speciesatrisk.

Penokean Hills Field Naturalists (PHFN) have a new laptop computer and multi media projector which were purchased from some of the proceeds of their 2008 Calendars fundraising sales. The PHFN club sold over $8,000 worth of calendars.

The PHFN club was also very pleased to present a cheque for $800 to St. Joseph Hospital from some of the proceeds of the calendars.

The Couchiching Conservancy has recently teamed up with the Pelee Island Winery to offer some very good wines to friends of the Conservancy and at the same time raise money for various Conservancy projects. Five different wines are available, each one bearing a distinctive label with photographic images by Larry Kirtley.

These wines are only available through the Conservancy by the case of 12, although each case can have 6 bottles of 2 different wines. These uniquely labeled wines are not available through LCBO. Cases must be ordered through the Conservancy. Contact the Conservancy at (705)326-1620 for details.

These wines are only available through the Conservancy by the case of 12, although each case can have 6 bottles of 2 different wines. These uniquely labeled wines are not available through LCBO. Cases must be ordered through the Conservancy. Contact the Conservancy at (705)326-1620 for details.

February 17th 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Howard Park Tennis Club
430 Parkside Drive
Toronto
www.highpark.org

Sharon Lovett will discuss the use of native plants in gardens in an attempt to restore some of the habitat necessary for wildlife to survive that is being lost to development. The act of planting for this purpose requires a new way of thinking about what a garden looks like. This challenges both existing bylaws and culturally defined neighbourhood standards. Also Downspouts and Native Plants, Discover the Connection presented by Deborah Dale. Once you have disconnected your downspout there are many options for using native plants to manage the stormwater runoff.

February 18th 7:30 pm
Church of St. Bride - Basement Auditorium
1516 Clarkson Road
Mississauga
(905) 820-2571

The Toronto Wildlife Centre cares for more than 260 different species of injured and orphaned wildlife – in 2006 they admitted and cared for over 5,800 wild creatures.

Find out about the work of the Toronto Wildlife Centre staff and volunteers, how it cares for its patients and get answers to your questions: What can I do about birds flying in my windows? Is it a good idea to feed wildlife?

February 19th 7:30 to 8:30 pm
Central Library
251 Dundas St - Wolf Performance Hall
London
www.mcilwraith.ca

McIlwraith Field Naturalists of London and the London Public Library present Nature in the City. A free six-part series of illustrated talks on nature within the City of London. Join Sandy Dobbyn for the last talk on Komoka Park: A Natural Gem on London’s Western Flank. Straddling the Thames River, Komoka Provincial Park contains a rich and wonderful array of landforms, habitats and species. Ecologist Sandy Dobbyn of the Ministry of Natural Resources introduces the special features of this little-known jewel.

February 29th 7:00 pm
Terry Fox Public School
1065 Riddell Ave.
Cobourg

Guest Speakers Jenna Dickson and Alison Elliott are both members of the Trinity College School community in Port Hope. Together they participated in the International Polar Year 2007 Arctic Expedition with the award-winning Students on Ice organization. They will share slides and stories of their journey from Churchill, Manitoba north to Baffin Island. In addition to breath-taking encounters with Beluga Whales, Orcas, Walrus, and Polar Bears, Jenna and Alison were able to see first hand the effects of climate change on northern ecosystems and speak with Inuit Elders about the impacts of these changes.

Saturday March 1st 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Sanson Estate Winery
Amherstburg
(519) 962-9191
workshop@carolinian.org

A workshop for the rural landowner - to encourage the conservation and enhancement of our natural environment in Carolinian Canada.

This unique workshop will provide participants with an opportunity to learn about habitat stewardship projects in their county, how they can initiate projects on their land to create natural habitat and conserve biodiversity, and provide information on sourcing financial incentives and expert advice. Workshop participants will be introduced to The Rural Landowner Stewardship Guide.

For more information please contact Bernie Solymar, Workshop Coordinator.

March 2nd 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Howard Park Tennis Club
430 Parkside Drive
Toronto
www.highpark.org

A presentation and walk with Bohdan Kowalyk of the Ministry of Natural Resources. Find out about this program and visit some of the specimens in High Park.

Heritage Tree defined . . . "An outstanding specimen because of size, form, shape, age, colour, rarity, genetic constitution or other distinctive features; a distinctive community landmark”.

The Carden Nature Festival registration is up and running. 29 people have already registered even though the festival isn’t scheduled until June 5th, 7th and 8th. One event is nearly full and the Community Dinner at the Lion’s Club will definitely overflow to the back-up venues. For those who plan to stay overnight, beware nearby accommodations are limited. BOOK EARLY!!

Only two clubs have registered so far for their club discount. This is an easy way to earn your club some money so register your club NOW!!

The brochure has been printed and will be distributed as an insert in Ontario Nature Magazine in March. BUT you don’t need to wait for the brochure to register just go to www.CardenGuide.com/Festival, browse the Activities list of 60 options, make your selection and register online. It’s easy.

Don’t forget there are events for kids too and the Ontario Nature Annual General Meeting.

The Richmond Hill Naturalists (RHN) are pressing the case of the David Dunlap Park and Observatory (DDO) before the Conservation Review Board to preserve the Park for the people of this province under the Ontario Heritage Act. The cultural and heritage treasure of 189 acres in Richmond Hill is up for sale by its owners, the University of Toronto. The Richmond Hill Naturalists are spearheading a campaign to have the entire property designated as a heritage site which has been part of the community for 72 years.

The David Dunlap Park and Observatory has produced great science with such discoveries as Dr. Helen Hogg (cluster stars) and Dr. Thomas Bolton (the first Black Hole). This year work at the Observatory produced 19 papers of astronomical science. Its telescope remains the largest in Canada.

The University of Toronto’s deadline for proposal is February 15th.

What you can do:

• Write or email a letter (samples on the RHN website at www.rhnaturalists.ca)
• Hike the park with RHN any Saturday (weather permitting). Meet at 123 Hillsview Drive, one block south of Weldrick Road off Bayview Avenue at 2:00 pm
• Donate to the club to help cover legal expenses connected with the upcoming Conservation Review Board hearing

For more information or to donate visit www.rhnaturalists.ca.

The York-Simcoe Naturalists Club have a new website! Visit it today at www.ysnaturalists.ca

Garfield Dunlop announced he will lead a petition to request core funding for Wye Marsh in Midland, Ontario. He is very optimistic that 50,000 signatures will force the Ontario Legislature to take notice of this critical need. Businesses and individuals are asked to show there support by downloading a copy of the petition, encourage 10 people to sign, and mail the form to Garfield Dunlop at the address provided.

Wye Marsh’s current focus is on generating immediate revenues to maintain the present status quo, leaving little time and finances for future growth. Attendance numbers are increasing, the facilities usage is maxed out and the equipment and buildings are inefficient and expensive to maintain.

To accommodate further growth, core funding is essential. This would allow for a concentrated effort on expanding educational programs and make it possible to initiate exciting new research projects.

Sustainable funding would take Wye Marsh to the next level in the future development of excellence in environmental education and awareness. Initiatives so necessary for a future faced with climate change.

For more information -
Please contact Wye Marsh (705) 526-7809 or visit www.wyemarsh.com

To Download a petition form visit www.garfielddunlopmpp.com and follow the petitions link.

Saturday May 3rd 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Port Hope Fall Fair Building
McCaul Street
Port Hope
livinggreenones@yahoo.ca

Learn about Stepping Lightly on Earth from over 40 community exhibitors and local youth. For more information visit http://livinggreen.open-eyes.org/

May 23rd to June 1st
MacGregor Point Provincial Park
Bruce County
www.friendsofmacgregor.org

Check out the 11th annual Huron Fringe Birding Festival hosted by the Friends of MacGregor Point Park. May 23rd has traditionally been the peak of warbler migration along the Huron Fringe. A total of 239 species have been spotted during the festivals with an average of 175+ species each year.

This year we are offering over 80 different sessions. There will be bird hikes and field trips, birding for beginners, in-depth species workshops, photography sessions and field trips, nature rambles, astronomy, botany, biking, canoeing, painting, and more.

To ensure everyone has a wonderful time and the opportunity to learn, we have limited space in each session to between 6 and 20, depending on the event. We recommend that you register early.

Headquarters for the Huron Fringe Birding Festival are at MacGregor Point Provincial Park. The park is located in Bruce County, Ontario on the shores of Lake Huron.

NEWS FROM THE NATURE NETWORK

Carolinian East – February 16th hosted by South Peel Naturalist's Club.
Carolinian West – March 29th hosted by the West Elgin Nature Club.
Great Lakes West - April 5th hosted by the Huron Fringe Field Naturalists.
Ontario North – April 12th hosted by the Durham Field Naturalists.
Huronia – April 5th, hosted by York Simcoe Field Naturalists.
North – May 2nd to 4th hosted by the Nipissing Naturalists Club and the Friends of Mashkinonje.
Ontario East – May 3rd hosted by Upper Ottawa Valley Nature Club.

Looking for something to do or trying to make something happen? Ontario Nature’s Nature Almanac will keep you posted on upcoming events and activities from our groups across Ontario.

One of Ontario Nature’s key goals is connecting people with nature and with that in mind, we are launching a calendar called Nature Almanac for member groups’ activities on the Ontario Nature website. This is being offered to the 140+ clubs across the province as a way to promote their events. Being listed in Nature Almanac will allow Ontario Nature member groups the opportunity to promote their activities with other Nature Network clubs and a wider general audience.

We welcome events related to nature, environment, conservation, sustainability, green living and related topics such as climate change, renewable energy, youth and outdoors education. Events must be open to the general public and be free or of nominal cost.

Before events are listed on Ontario Nature’s website, organizers must provide event details and contact information. The earlier you can provide this information the sooner we can promote them on our website. For additional information contact your Regional Coordinator.

Help spread the word! You are welcome to include any or all of the Nature Dates listings in your emails, websites and newsletters.

Thank you to the individuals who have had added their names to our Advocate for Nature list. Please help to spread the word about the Advocate for Nature email list - you could post this in your newsletter, share it with your members at the next meeting, announce it at your next Board of Directors meeting or make a presentation at your Annual General Meeting. Every little bit helps!

In January 2008 we had 22 new subscribers to our Advocate for Nature email list. We now have 1743 Advocates for Nature.

To add your name online, copy and paste this link in your web browser or click here http://www.ontarionature.org/news/archive.php?type=action.

We all contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Every time we turn on a light, log onto a computer or hop in a car, we use power generated from fossil fuels, which ends up producing greenhouse gases. Actions taken by individuals can have a significant impact on reducing the use of fossil fuels.

Ten steps you can take to reduce your impact include:

1. Drive an efficient car and keep it tuned up.
2. Drive less and carpool more.
3. Avoid idling.
4. Replace old “energy hog” appliances with new, energy efficient ones whenever possible.
5. Unplug the computer or tv and other appliances when you’re not using them.
6. Replace old light bulbs with energy saving bulbs.
7. Plant a tree for shade (deciduous trees on the south and west sides, conifers on the north and east sides) and as a way to extract carbon dioxide from the air.
8. Compost and recycle to reduce waste, reduce landfill volume and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.
9. Turn off the lights when you leave the room.
10. Set your air conditioner from 24ºC to 27ºC. Raise the temperature when you go out and lower it at night for sleeping. If you go away for more than a day, turn off your air conditioning system. A programmable thermostat can help you to regulate your air conditioner use.

Taken from Creating a Climate Change Calendar – 2007, Conservation Ontario, Ontario Stewardship, Fisheries and Oceans Canada

NEWS FROM ONTARIO NATURE

Ontario Nature and the Boreal Songbird Initiative have developed a nation-wide petition to protect the most significant bird nursery in North America, the Boreal Forest.

Our goal is to have thousands of signatures on a petition asking for the protection of Canada’s Boreal Forest by May 10th, which is International Migratory Bird Day. The petition will then be publicly submitted to federal and provincial leaders to demonstrate that citizens expect the Boreal Forest to be protected and that the bird declines that we’ve been experiencing are not acceptable. We’re confident that this idea will raise political awareness of the issue and are hopeful that conservation announcements will follow.

We need your help to make this a big success! You can help us by:

• signing the petition at www.saveourborealbirds.org
• encouraging your members, friends and family to sign the petition and to pass it on to people they know
• posting a link to the petition on the homepage of your website (we can pass on a button for your website)

Thank you for your help. Together we can protect the Boreal Forest for birds.

If you have any questions please contact Jen Baker at jenniferb@ontarionature.org or 1-800-440-2366, ext. 224.

How is Climate Change Affecting You and Your Community?

Sponsored by Waste Management, this annual writing contest is open to Ontario grade 7 and 8 students. It can be an essay, a story, or a piece of creative writing, with a maximum count of 700 words, typed and double-spaced.

The top three entries will be published in ON Nature magazine, receive cool prizes and be honoured for their achievement at Ontario Nature's Annual General Meeting in Kirkfield on June 7th.

Send your original entries by March 3rd to:
Youth Writing Contest
Ontario Nature
Suite 201, 366 Adelaide Street West
Toronto, ON
M5V 1R9

Make sure you have a title page telling us your name, address, phone number, email address, your parent’s or guardian’s name, the grade you’re in, and the name of your school.

For complete contest rules or to learn more about Ontario Nature visit our website at www.ontarionature.org/events/challenge.html where you can download a copy of 2007 Contest Flyer.

The deadline for the Ontario Nature Conservation Awards is March 7th, 2008. Please get your nature club nominations in today.

Community involvement defines the character and approach of Ontario Nature. With its member groups and individual members, Ontario Nature has made a significant impact on conservation issues in communities across Ontario and continues to build a natural legacy for future generations.

The Ontario Nature Conservation Awards recognize excellence by honouring individuals, groups, government agencies and corporations who have worked to protect Ontario’s nature. I have enclosed the conservation flyer that explains the awards criteria and the nomination procedure, and highlights the key dates and events. These awards recognize the great work that you and your club are involved in – let your great work (and people) shine!

There are 10 awards available:

• Ontario Nature Achievement Award – contributions to Ontario Nature
• W.E. Saunders Natural History Award – achieving a significant goal
• W.W. H. Gunn Conservation Award – personal service to nature
• Richards Education Award – nature education
• Lee Symmes Municipal Award – municipal focus
• Ian Shenstone Fraser Memorial Award – Niagara Escarpment focus
• Ontario Nature Corporate Award – corporate leadership in nature
• J.R. Dymond Public Service Award – public service
• Carl Nunn Media and Conservation Award – media outlet
• Margaret and Carl Nunn Memorial Camp Scholarship - Youth Award (10-15 years old)

Awards ceremony will take place in conjunction with the Carden Nature Festival (June 6-8,2008) at the Ontario Nature AGM meeting in Kirkfield. Download your nomination form at http://www.ontarionature.org/home/nomination.html.

Ontario Nature has been selected to participate in the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO)’s coin box program for the month of March!

Ontario Nature will have coin boxes by the cash registers in Liquor Stores across the province for the entire month and will receive all proceeds collected. The money collected will help Ontario Nature continue to protect and restore nature in Ontario.

On Sunday February 10th Ontario Nature celebrated the publication of the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario, 2001 – 2005 and the monumental efforts of over 3,400 dedicated atlas volunteers.

Between 2001 and 2005 over 3,400 volunteers, many members of the Nature Network, collected 1.2 million individual bird records, in a systematic grid stretching from the islands of Lake Erie to the shores of Hudson Bay.

The Atlas reveals lots of interesting information including:

• Tree planting, conifer plantations, and natural forest regeneration are helping to increase forest cover and provide needed habitat for forest birds in southern Ontario.
• Evident importance highlighted for the Niagara Escarpment, Oak Ridges Moraine and “The Land Between.”
• As a result of extensive data collection using new methods, maps of relative abundance were created for the first time for many species, showing which parts of the province are most important to each, and allowing for better conservation planning.
• Climate change results for southern Ontario are equivocal. Although the range edge of 15 species expanded northward in southern Ontario, consistent with climate change predictions, the range edge of 29 species expanded southward. The birds expanding to the south are mostly forest birds, likely taking advantage of increasing forest cover south of the Canadian Shield in southern Ontario.

More information about the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario is available at www.birdsontario.org. Copies of the book can be purchased by calling 416-444-8419 or 1-800-440-2366 ($92.50 plus GST; price includes shipping); for online sales follow the links from www.ontarionature.org/shop.

What can members of the Nature Network do?

1. Purchase a copy of the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario
2. Promote the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario to your members at your meetings
3. Purchase a copy of the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario as a reference book for your club to be borrowed by members
4. Purchase a copy of the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario for a local library or school so others can learn

Ontario Nature is printing bookplates for the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario. These can be used to recognize your donation to your club or local library or school. Please let us know when you order that you would like one.

Back to News From Ontario Nature

NEWS FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

February 25th and February 26th
Hamilton Convention Center
1 Summers Lane
Hamilton
http://www.cleanair.hamilton.ca/updown/udconf.asp

Clean Air Hamilton is proud to announce the 5th biannual Upwind Downwind conference. The four theme areas for this year’s 2 day conference are: (1) Air Quality, Climate Change and Public Health (2) Urban and Transportation Planning, (3) The Science of Climate Change, and (4) Climate Change and Local Partnerships.

The Conference provides the latest information on air quality and climate change issues, health impacts of air pollution, environmental best practices and practical information.

Students - $30
Community/Non-profit/Retiree - $80
Corporate/Government/Academic - $300
One-Day - $170
Toronto, ON
M5V 1R9

For more information contact B. Montgomery at cleanair@hamilton.ca

February 25th 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm
February 26th 8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Hamilton Convention Center
1 Summers Lane
Hamilton

The Clean Air Fair Exhibitor Showcase (40 Exhibitors) is offered free to the Public as part of the Upwind Downwind Conference.

Find the information, products, people, and solutions to the issues surrounding climate change and air quality. Explore new products; talk with key people who are actively engaged in finding solutions; see cutting edge technologies. Learn what you can do and what is available to make the changes needed to solve these environmental crises.

February 25th 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Hamilton Convention Center
1 Summers Lane
Hamilton

Free Public Presentation by international speaker Gil Penalosa as part of Upwind Downwind 2008: Climate Change and Healthy Cities. Let’s help solve Climate Change and breathe easier!

February 27th at 6:00 pm
National Library and Archives, Room 156
395 Wellington St.
Ottawa
www.ocamu.org/drupal

We are a group of Ottawa citizens acting to ensure that Ottawa's water, air and surrounding ecosystem remain free of the byproducts of uranium mining. Uranium mining would poison these basic elements irreversibly. Our goal is to raise awareness and request a moratorium on uranium mineral prospecting, exploration, and mining in the Ottawa watershed. Everyone is welcome.

Additional dates:

March 11th at 6:00 pm

March 28th at 6:00 pm

Community Coalition Against Uranium Mining
http://www.ccamu.ca/

Working Together to Keep Eastern Ontario and West Quebec Uranium Free
http://www.know-uranium.org/

Saturday March 1st 8:30 am - 3:00 pm Sportsplex Belsyde Ave. Fergus greenlandscw@gmail.com

Presented by Greenlands Centre Wellington. Please mark your calendars for Greenlands’ third Community Workshop.

Registration is $20 (Morning coffee and Lunch included) and the keynote speaker is Sean Kelly, Assistant Professor, Landscape Architecture School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph.

Sean (a resident of this Township) will lead participants through a series of exciting design exercises specific to the Township of Centre Wellington. A biophysical study, funded by the Township of Centre Wellington, and map work created by the community at last year’s workshop will be showcased.

Participants will be using this material to help in Designing Our Future Community. All Welcome!

Register at www.greenlandscw.org.

March 8th and 9th
March15th and 16th
Presqu’ile Provincial Park
www.friendsofpresquile.on.ca/events.htm

Celebrate the return of spring! Volunteer naturalists will help you view and identify over 25 different species of ducks, geese and swans. Also check out the daily children’s activities.

Saturday March 8th
8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Evinrude Centre
911 Monaghan Road
Peterborough
www.ont-woodlot-assoc.org

You are invited to attend the Ontario Woodlot Association’s Annual General meeting & woodlot conference Our Forests – An Important Piece of our Natural Landscape.

This year’s conference will feature topics that are relevant to woodlot owners and managers from all walks of life with presenters who will discuss woodlot tax planning, wetland management, managing for species at risk, forest inventories, and forest health.

Advance registration is required. Registration closes on February 29th. To register call Rhonda at 1-888-791-1103 ext 221.

Stemming from a recent grant approved by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, we (Sustainability Network) are very happy to announce that we will once again be able to offer training bursaries to help Ontario-based environmental leaders access nonprofit management training.

Up to 50% of the cost of training to a maximum of $500 per person is available to help cover tuition costs or registration fees associated with nonprofit management training opportunities. You are invited to request financial assistance to help you to attend workshops or courses organized by non-profit, professional associations, academic institutions or the private sector. For example, we can help support your participation in an extension course offered by a community college or university or a workshop, seminar or conference sponsored by a Volunteer Centre, United Way or the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Funds will not be provided to subsidize participation at general conferences or to cover travels costs associated with the training opportunity.

Applicants should be in a position of responsibility (executive director, staff, lead volunteer, board member) in an Ontario-based environmental nonprofit organization.

Multiple applications from one organization or individual will be considered, but an effort will be made to assist as many organizations as possible. Recipients will be required to incur the full cost of the training and submit receipts for reimbursement along with a brief evaluation report upon completion of the training.

The application process is simple and the turn around time quick. The application process is ongoing throughout the year with no formal deadline.

For more information visit www.sustain.web.ca/fa/fa.htm.

A new presentation now available for your Naturalists or Service Club and presented by David A. Homer, retired university teacher/senior administrator and Carden resident.

The forty-five minute PowerPoint presentation traces the natural history of the Carden Alvar, a local phenomenon of Global Significance; (located approximately 30 km east Orillia); introduces its distinctive plants and insects; outlines its threats and what is being done about them; and finally presents a survey of the grassland and other unique birds of the area, utilizing the outstanding photographic images of Wildlife Photographer Larry Kirtley.

For details of presentation requirements and available dates contact DavidAHomer@aol.com

UPCOMING NATURE NETWORK NEWS DEADLINES

The next issue of the Nature Network News will be sent on March 15th. Submissions will be accepted until March 1st. Please send articles to clarem@ontarionature.org.

Ontario Nature publishes the Ontario Nature Network News every month with contributions from its staff and member groups.