This outing will begin with a hike to explore the cliffs and woodlands of the escarpment above the Bayview Estates. The trail was developed and is maintained by the residents of the sub-division with open access to the public. Following our exploration of this open trail, we will head to Irish Block Line and the site of the Bruce Trail Conservancy Meadow Wetlands property. The trail here provides a wonderful mix of woodland, old fields and beaver meadows. Enjoy this outing to little known patches of the escarpment. Pack a lunch. Registration: Peter Middleton (519) 376-3242

Mondays on May 2, 9, 16 and 30 at 6:00 PM. Join Dave Fidler or other leaders for nature walks/hikes (with emphasis on birds) at Fidler's Green. We'll hike through mature woods that Dave has been managing for birds and visit a wetland with species such as Common Moorhen, Virginia and Sora Rails. No registration required, just show up.

Directions to Fidler's Green, from Owen Sound: Take Highway 21 to Jackson and turn right. Go one block north and turn left at the "T" junction. Go one block west and turn right on Old School Road. Fidler's Green is about 1 KM ahead on your left.

In early spring, ephemeral ponds appear on the forest floor as the ice and snow melt away. We'll join the Young Naturalists for this outing to the Hibou Conservation Area to look for the invertebrates found in ephemeral ponds. Dress warmly and wear rubber boots. Meet in the parking lot of the first Hibou entrance as you come from Owen Sound, on the right hand (east) side of the road. Limit 20 adults plus Young Nats. Please register with Andy, 372-9480 or akoshan@yahoo.ca

Local teachers, Deane Atherton and Dawn Hollyer spent April/May 2011 in the Philippines, where they worked as volunteers on a survey of reef life. The job involved two intensive weeks of training in which they learned to recognize 50 genera of fish, followed by 6 weeks of reef surveys around the Philippines. Deane will tell us about this adventure, illustrating this talk with his photos.

Or should we call it skunk cabbages and sinkholes. It's early spring and in the Beaverdale Bog north of Markdale. The bog forms the upper reaches of the Saugeen River Watershed. Water from the bog also escapes down sinkholes into the Beaver Valley. We will visit a couple of GSCA properties in the bog, watching for early plants responding to the melt. This will be a four hour tour by car and on foot - be prepared for wet conditions. For details of meeting place, call 519-538-4368 or fboyd@bmts.com

Wiarton-area potter, Steve Irvine, is also a noted photographer, photographing everything from stars to macro views of nature. His photos have appeared in National Geographic, Natural History, Science and several astronomy magazines. Steve will show us some of his best nature photos, including some taken with the ceramic pinhole cameras that he makes.

Trapper Verle Barfoot will lead us on a search for signs of winter wildlife in the Glen Conservation Area near Copper Kettle. This trip will take place either Feb. 12 or Feb. 19 depending on the conditions. Bring snowshoes or skis and meet at the Glenn Parking area at 10:00 AM . Bring binoculars, a snack, and a thermos of hot drink. Limit 20 people. Register with Lorraine: 519-372-0322 or lorraine@apropos.ca

Donna Stewart, the Chair of FOOCE, will talk about this relatively young but extremely active and successful volunteer conservation group. FOOCE's vision is "to preserve the unique fen, alvar and Beach/grassland ecosystems of the Oliphant mainland community and adjacent Fishing Islands". Her presentation will tell us of surveys, findings and achievements that the group has seen so far. It will provide an important update on the work of this group to ensure the future of this magical and important section of the Lake Huron shoreline.

As one considers the most populous nation in the world, conjured images of India rarely turn to diverse landscapes and fascinating wildlife. It is an ancient land teeming with people and intriguing cultures, but it also possesses a wonderful array of wild creatures and spectacular birds. Peter Middleton will take us on a tour to this spell binding sub-continent and some of its remarkable parks. If winter is getting to you, this program will be the perfect antidote.

Join our new program director, Andy Koshan, on a snowshoe hike to experience the joys of winter. With a little luck, it will be a sunny, clear, clod day. We'll follow up with a hot chocolate at the Harrison Park Inn. Meet at the Inn at 1:00 PM.