All posts by Brian Robin

Announcements

Merle Gunby: A deep love of the natural world.

Merle

It is with regret that we share the news of club member Merle Gunby’s death. Merle was an honourary member of our club and greatly respected for his involvement with the local naturalist community and his gentle love of the natural world.

In the words of Bill Moses, friend and fellow naturalist:

Merle Gunby passed away on April 2nd.

I would have to say that I am not a person who seeks out and and then works at maintaining close friendships. Yet at my “70th” (orchestrated by my wife Cecilie), during my required “speech”, while pointing out and acknowledging the significant people in my life who had attended, when I came to Merle Gunby I described him as my best friend, which came as a surprise to both of us. I must admit that from that point I did work harder at maintaining that friendship because it was then that I came to realize the value that Merle had held in my life.

I first met Merle when I joined the Inglis Falls Arboretum Alliance at the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority. That was in the spring of 2004. Prior to that I had my own little arboretum and propagation area. Taking my passion “public” was good for me and allowed me to make a more lasting contribution to the public good. I must say that this also initiated my personal interest in native woody plants, a fundamental basis of the Arboretum Design Plan prepared for the Arboretum Alliance.

I think that Merle and I hit it off because we were both “ramblers” and we both could learn from each other about our mutual interest in plants – woody plants in particular. Merle’s knowledge extended to a much broader area of flora and fauna than mine did and, on the side, I picked up a lot of from him in those areas as well.

On one typical early ramble, Merle introduced me (on a three or four hour long hike) to the Long Swamp, but Merle had a lot of health problems – the most significant, Parkinson’s Disease. Thus, over the years our rambles were reduced in time and finally just to “backroading” with occasional stops to check out a plant or collect some wild apples (once or twice picked from the car window).

Through my association with Merle, I got to know (or at least come on the radar of) many local naturalists, Blake Smith, Nels Maher and Mac Kirk to name a few.

Merle never turned down an opportunity to take a leadership role. (I was always a backroom boy, secretary, treasurer, IT guy and so on.) Merle’s Honourary Life Member status at OSFN was very important to him as were the many other honours he garnered over the years. All you have to do is to search for Merle Gunby on Google to realize that! Merle’s wife Sheila recognized that importance and with me (and many others) will work hard to make sure that he is remembered going forward.

~Bill Moses

Announcements, President's Message

Spring 2017, President’s Message

Hart’s Tongue Fern, Asplenium scolopendrium by its Latin name. (How I regret that Latin was removed from my high school curriculum just as I got there.) The Hart’s Tongue Fern is found on limestone formations such as our own Niagara Escarpment but is rare in most of the world. In the early days of the Owen Sound Field Naturalists (OSFN) we adopted this rare fern to be our logo and renowned local artist George McLean created the design. I’m mentioning this in case you’re new to the OSFN. Thirty-one new members joined us for the first time this year and I want to extend a warm welcome to you all! If you have questions or ideas, if you want to be involved in projects or if you have a passion to share with us please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me or any other OSFN director. We’re a grass roots organization. Pun intended!

Elaine Van Den Kieboom recently agreed to be on the OSFN Board of Directors. She has been very active with the Young Naturalists for several years as well as with the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority (GSCA). She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm: welcome aboard! Elaine collaborates with Krista McKee from GSCA to provide the Young Naturalists program. A big thank you to Krista for her participation and leadership. Parents and siblings of Young Nats often help out with the outdoor activities and they too are appreciated.

On that note, do you have an activity that would be fun for kids? Do you have a young family or know of children between 7 and 12 who’d enjoy being part of these activities? Please get in touch with anyone on the OSFN Board or call Krista at the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority office in Owen Sound, 519-376-3076.

A packed house at the January meeting was the perfect opportunity to celebrate someone whose contributions to the OSFN are literally too numerous to count. Peter Middleton was presented with an Honourary Life Membership in the OSFN. Such a well-deserved award for such a vital member of our organization from its inception. Among his many gifts is his passion for nature and how it fuels his capacity for teaching others of any age in any setting. Congratulations Peter!

OSFN director Dennis Knight has been working to collect and itemize the list of projects that OSFN has been an integral part of from our beginning. He has determined which have become obsolete, which remain “status quo” and which require active stewardship. He is seeking volunteers so if he asks you, please say yes!

It was a long slog with government paperwork but our dauntless past-president John Dickson has obtained charitable status for the OSFN! Donations of $20 and over are eligible for a tax receipt. John also made the first donation to the OSFN as an official charity. Thank you John.

After last year’s dry summer, the lovely prolonged autumn, the roller-coaster winter, I wonder what spring will bring? Besides fiddleheads and peepers, blackflies and blossoms…..

Go outside!
Kate McLaren, President

Announcements

Garlic Mustard Public Information Meetings and “Pull Party”

Joan Nuffield is spreading the word about a few events relating to this invasive species, message follows.

As you may be aware, Southern Ontario’s forests and fields are threatened by an invasive species, Garlic Mustard.   Left alone for long enough, Garlic Mustard can turn a beautiful native forest into a field – of Garlic Mustard.  In the Beaver Valley, the Len Gertler Memorial Loree Forest is at serious risk because of this advancing menace.  We are asking for help, from you and members of your group.

Specifically, what kind of help can you provide?

  • Learn more about why Garlic Mustard is such a danger:come to one of the public information meetings weare organizing:

o   at the L.E. Shore Library, Thornbury, Tues., March 28, 2017, 6:30 pm, or

o   at the Collingwood Public Library, Collingwood, Thurs., March 30, 2017, 6:30 pm

 

  • Sign up to come to a Garlic Mustard “pull party” in the Loree Forest on Sat., May 20. If you are not familiar with this nasty critter, you will receive training on how to spot it and how to pull it.  Families are welcome, and students are welcome.  Then stay for the barbeque afterwards!
  • Spread the word about the “pull party” and the public information meetings among members of your group, and other contacts you may have. We ask that you to use your newsletter, email list, and other suitable communication avenues.  We would be happy to speak at a regular or special meeting of your group, if you wish to arrange a separate information meeting for them.

To sign up for the “pull party” and barbeque, please contact:

You will be contacted regarding details, and what to bring for the day.

Thank you so much. Together, we can keep this invasive species in check!

Joan Nuffield, Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club
Owen Gray, Lakehead University

Announcements

Friday Ski/Snowshoe Winter Ecology Field Trip – Room to Register!

UPDATE – Postponed to Feb.17th

There is still room in Tyler’s Friday, Feb. 17th Ski/Snowshoe Winter Ecology Field Trip.

Please register with Tyler at tyler.miller@pc.gc.ca

Then, if you would like to, please meet to car-pool at 12:50PM Friday February 17, in the parking lot of the Chi-Cheemaun/tourist office.

Anyone coming from the Southampton area, can be met at the Wiarton Library parking lot for pick up from there, at about 1:15PM.

Please email John Dickson, if you are planning to join in the car-pooling. John Dickson <jwdickso@gmail.com>

EVENT DETAILS