OSFN Programs
Please note that all Programs, and schedules are subject to change. To avoid disappointment, please check with this site for updates and changes to dates, speakers, locations, etc. We thank you for your understanding in these matters.
Download our 2024/25 Schedule (pdf, 208kb)
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Plants of the Bruce Peninsula – Where North Meets South and East Meets West, with Joan Crowe
The Bruce Peninsula is in a unique position in Ontario, close enough to the north to harbour species common in the Boreal Forest and close enough to the south for more Carolinian species to move in. Its complex geological history has created a variety of habitats and past climates have established species commoner further west. … Continue reading Plants of the Bruce Peninsula – Where North Meets South and East Meets West, with Joan Crowe
Native Woody Plants with Bill Moses
This event will begin with a tour of the Arboretum Nursery at Grey Sauble Conservation headquarters. The importance of native trees and shrubs to our environment will be discussed. Following this there will be an opportunity to tour a few local properties to see how native trees, shrubs and vines can be incorporated into the … Continue reading Native Woody Plants with Bill Moses
Bird Watching with Alfred Raab
Alfred, a veteran OFO hike leader, will take us to areas in Wiarton, Sky Lake, Isaac Lake, Oliphant and North Sauble Beach searching for spring migrants. Meet at Tim Horton's at 8 a.m. in Hepworth. The tour will last about 4 hours. Limit - 15 people.Contact Fred Jazvac to register: 519-797-3332 or jazvacfb@bmts.com.
Annual Potluck Dinner
(Bring your own plates & cutlery.) POLAR BEARS IN ONTARIO with Alistair MacKenzie Join Alistair MacKenzie, Natural Heritage Education and Resource Management Supervisor for Pinery Provincial Park and travel to the Hudson Bay Lowlands to visit Ontario's northernmost Provincial Park, the land of the Polar Bear.
Orchid Trip to Flowerpot Island, with Scott Currie
Bruce Park naturalist, Scott Currie, will lead us on a tour of the orchids of Flowerpot. According to Scott, the 'showy stuff' is at Dorcas Bay, but the 'rare stuff' is at Flowerpot. We'll car pool up to Tobermory and take the Blue Heron II over to Flowerpot. Cost per person will be in the … Continue reading Orchid Trip to Flowerpot Island, with Scott Currie
NABA Butterfly Count
A Christmas bird count for butterflies. For more info: http://friendsofmacgregor.org.
Freedom 35:A Photographer’s Adventure
Last year at Age 35, Ethan sold his house, bought a camper van and began an epic road trip around the continent. See the photos and hear the stories, living the dream of a wanderlust photographer. His presentation showcases the best photos, and adventures from his travels, with a sprinkling of humour and adventure.
Ferns of the Niagara Escarpment
Join GSC staffer Chris Hachey and hike the Inglis Falls trails to find common and unusual ferns that flourish in the woods along the Escarpment. Meet at 1 pm - Grey Sauble Conservation Parking Area. Register with Andy Koshan, 519-372-9480 or akoshan@yahoo.ca. Limit of 20 participants.
West Coast Landscapes: Alvars and Fens
Join Dian Wood on a trip to explore the Oliphant Fen system along the Huron coast. Many fen plants are still blooming at this date: Kalm's lobelia, Ohio goldenrod, smaller fringed gentian, small-flowering purple gerardia, and nodding ladies tresses among others. The trip will start at St. Jean Point, then move to Petrel Point, and … Continue reading West Coast Landscapes: Alvars and Fens
Trees of Owen Sound
Well-known botanist and OSFN Life Member Joan Crowe will take us on a walking tour of the streets of Owen Sound to see some of the rare, large and unusual trees of the city. We'll walk some of the routes featured in the OSFN publication Exploring an Urban forest - Owen Sound's Heritage of Trees. … Continue reading Trees of Owen Sound
ON THE WIND: a discussion of Raptors and the Wind Industry
Kevin Dance will present results of his Master's Research into raptor behaviour and mortality at a 66-turbine wind facility near Port Burwell, on Lake Erie. HIs findings may surprise you. He will compare his findings with studies in Spain and Norway. Kevin has done monitoring on nearly 20 wind farms in Ontario.
Karst Topography of the Bruce
Karst specialist Darrell Cowell will take us on a tour of the St. Edmund's karst cave system. We'll start at the entrance to the system behind St. Edmund's museum, then drive to Little Cove and hike along the shore to the place where the cave system empties out into Georgian Bay. We'll meet at Highway … Continue reading Karst Topography of the Bruce
OSFN Indoor Meetings are normally held on the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the Bayshore Community Centre, 1900 3rd Ave E Owen Sound. There are no Indoor Meetings in July and August. Please see the individual event listings below for more details.
We invite speakers with a wide range of expertise from Grey/Bruce and other parts of the province. These evenings are open to the public. The auditorium is open by 6:30. The meeting gets under way at 7:00, and may include brief announcements by other organizations as well as OSFN club activities, club business, social time, nature sightings and reports.
The club also offers a full schedule of outdoor activities during the year. Through these outings, members learn more about the birds, plants, mammals and geology of this part of Ontario. We also keep a protective eye on our precious natural areas.