All posts by Brian Robin

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

Admin - Programs and Events, Announcements

Wildflower Walk at Old Baldy

Stew HiltsJust a reminder that there is still lots of room for you to register for Stew Hilts’ Wildflower Walk on Old Baldy on Tuesday – one of the few sunny days in the forecast.

Stew is an outstanding naturalist, photographer and teacher, and is looking forward to sharing this area with you. Please register right away – Register Stew Hilts at shilts@uoguelph.ca or 519 986 1475

If you live in the Owen Sound area and wish to carpool for this trip, please contact John to confirm at jwdickso@gmail.com with the suggested plan to meet in the North East corner of the Home depot parking lot for a 9AM departure. Stew Hilts is suggesting good footwear for trails that will be just starting to dry our after all the rain on its way.

President's Message

Winter 2016, President’s Message

I am writing this just after we have turned our clocks back, autumn is lingering with gorgeous colours, dramatic light and kind temperatures. Paddling a quiet lake yesterday meant having to strip off layers of clothes, just short of indecency, because the sun was so hot and the air so calm. Most of the fish have gone to the lower areas of the lake but one spunky pike still took the bait.

This autumn the OSFN meetings have been very well attended, with many new members joining us. Welcome to you, especially if you are also new to the area. Our club can help you learn more about the nature of this diverse landscape and show you many hidden natural treasures. Monthly indoor meetings provide opportunities to learn things you may not ever have thought to be interested in: freshwater mussels, for example. A subject that seemed at first glance to be rather ordinary was quickly and thoroughly turned into an amazing world of extraordinary wonders! The following month we were mesmerized with stories from an explorer who is mapping remote areas mostly via canoe – and alone. Then a passionate presentation about phragmites and the very serious impacts it is having on wetlands and shorelines gave us much to ponder.

OSFN partnered with the Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory to host a presentation of the beautiful film The Messenger. Such tragedy. There is so much to be concerned about, that it almost overwhelms viewers. There were great questions raised and lots of lively discussion afterward.

Outdoor activities have also been well attended, especially when the weather has co-operated! Weather has been the focal point of most conversations lately, it seems.

The warm fall has tricked some of the dogwoods into thinking it’s spring: they are in full flower once again.

My old farmhouse has almost no cluster flies this fall for the first time in 35 years! Is that also caused by the drought? Or is it the warmer climate? Did the predominance of catbirds this year affect their numbers? While enjoying a home eerily free of this plague, I will not be complacent. Winter forecasts are dire due to the relatively warm waters of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. Expect deep snow and high winds. At least that’s one view. Another one says that snow won’t stay on the ground until swamps are full – which they are definitely not. How often have you been able to walk through wetlands in your running shoes and still have dry feet? (Such an odd feeling, as I am accustomed to checking my rubber boots for leaks before heading out.)

A local maple syrup producer claims we’ll only get snow that stays on the ground after three significant snowfalls.

Then there’s “the bigger the woodpile, the fiercer the winter” adage. Does that mean I should not be concerned that dry firewood has yet to arrive in my shed? Wishful thinking….

What does the Farmers’ Almanac say about winter of 2016-2017?

Of course any naturalist knows the only reliable predictor is the Wooly Bear Caterpillar; but I can never remember what matters most – a narrow band is a short easy winter or a long tough one?

Nature must be leaving clues everywhere, if only we knew how to read them. I’m sure many of our OSFN members can provide some details about that. Please send me a note if you have the key to predicting what the coming seasons may bring.

I hope it brings all of our OSFN members good health, great hiking (or snowshoeing, skiing, tobogganing…) lots of reading and time to enjoy the fruits of your labour.

Kate McLaren, President