Honourary Life Membership

presented to Anne Cathrae

June 12, 2025

Anne Cathrae always had a humble attitude.

Anne along with her husband Stan moved back to Owen Sound around 1995 and began volunteering for everything conservation – the Owen Sound Field Naturalists, Grey Sauble Conservation Authority and its Conservation Foundation and, in Anne’s case, the Huron Fringe Birding Festival. Anne’s volunteering for nature can hardly be considered insignificant.

I often noticed that Anne performed those tasks that were in the background. Someone once said – “Never has anyone done so much for so many; and been observed by so few while doing it!”

Anne appreciated and valued nature. She did everything in the field naturalists from planting trees, being present at dedications, attending board meetings, ensuring that setup was done properly for Club potlucks and for many of the snacks we had before meetings. I remember gathering up her tablecloths and helping to carry boxes of items to her car. At one time, the field naturalists obtained permission to conduct roadside cleanup for the MTO. Anne seemed rather disappointed when the road moved from MTO to the county and the rules changed, resulting in the club stepping back from this task.

Our friend and fellow conservationist has passed away, but I can hear her loud and clear – “I don’t think I qualify. I looked at the criteria for Honourary Membership and Stan and I weren’t members from the beginning of the Club. I think the only way I could qualify relates to my volunteering, something insignificant like that.”

I am pleased that Anne Cathrae is being recognized as an Honourary Member of the Owen Sound Field Naturalists.

Honourary Life Membership

presented to Audrey Armstrong and Willy Waterton

June 2023

Members since the beginning, Audrey Armstrong and Willy Waterton, received Honourary Life Memberships for their many contributions toward education, participation in club projects and contributions to the protection and preservation of natural areas in Bruce Grey.

Honourary Life Membership

John Dickson, 2021

An Honourary Life Membership was presented to John Dickson in recognition and gratitude for John’s multi-faceted work on behalf of the OSFN, from his 7 years serving on the Board as Vice-President, President and Past-President, to his infinite hours spent as Program Director on recruiting leaders and expanding and enhancing the OSFN indoor and outdoor Program virtually single-handedly; for his prominent role in securing charitable status for the OSFN;  for raising the public profile of the Club through his nature columns in the Owen Sound Sun Times and Owen Sound Hub; for developing the OSFN’s successful Earth Day/Earth Week awareness programming; for broadening the experiences of our Young Naturalists by facilitating their participation at Youth Summits and Nature Camps, and for his all-encompassing, tireless, enthusiasm, support and dedication to bringing our motto – Knowing Nature Better – to the Club and to the greater Grey- Bruce community.

Honourary Life Membership

presented to Norah Toth

June 13, 2019

In recognition and gratitude for your infinite hours of volunteer leadership and exemplary communication skills that have benefited the Owen Sound Field Naturalists and supported the Hart’s Tongue Herald newsletter. Your work in generating and supporting the Huron Fringe Birding Festival, the Bruce Birding Club and your contributions to the Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory have been remarkable. Your direction and leadership with Stewardship Grey Bruce over 15 years have influenced countless projects that restore, protect and enhance wildlife habitat across Grey and Bruce counties. Combined efforts in outreach and education in the recovery plan for endangered Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) along the Lake Huron shoreline typify your belief that collaborations benefit countless generations to come!

Honourary Life Membership presented to

Peter Middleton

June 9, 2016

In recognition of your many contributions to the OSFN over the years: leading numerous club outings; giving indoor presentations to the club; working on projects including Purple Martin houses, boardwalks, Swiftwatch and others; serving on the OSFN Board; serving as OSFN
President; representing the OSFN on many Committees; and in recognition of your numerous other natural history activities in Grey-Bruce and beyond, which have inspired so many with a greater appreciation and understanding of birds, conservation and our natural heritage.

Fred Jazvac in recognition of your dedication, valued leadership and teamwork with the Owen Sound Field Naturalists, including 14 years of guiding and teaching with ‘Birding Around the Bay’, indoor presentations and a six-year term on the OSFN Board of Directors, including two years as President; from 1996 to 2023 Fred was the Coordinator of the Bruce Birding Club, bringing together the birding community for bi-weekly outings and weekend trips; many years of volunteering with area
Christmas Bird Counts; and since 2007 Fred has been a leader and a
committee member with the Huron Fringe Birding Festival!

At the Owen Sound Field Naturalist AGM in March 2011, an Honourary Life Membership was bestowed on Lorraine Brown.  While in past years, the OSFN has bestowed this honour for outstanding contributions in nature research, education and conservation, Lorraine will be the first member to be recognized for her contribution to the club itself.  Lorraine’s life-long love of nature is written into everything she does.  A record of the energy and talent that she brings to the table is stamped into the annals of our Club.   Continue reading Lorraine Brown: Life Member →