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 2025/26 Schedule (pdf, 286kb)
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Show Shoe/X Country Ski Bruce Peninsula National Park – the Grotto with Willy Waterton and Audrey Armstrong
Willy and Audrey will lead this excursion to share the drama of the National Park in mid-winter and the unique beauty of the ice-clad grotto. Meet at 10:00 a.m. at Cypress Lake parking lot, BPNP. Limit of 15 participants. This outing is weather-dependent. Bring cross-country skis, snowshoes, or ice-grips for hiking boots. Bring lunch and … Continue reading Show Shoe/X Country Ski Bruce Peninsula National Park – the Grotto with Willy Waterton and Audrey Armstrong
The Making of Canada: Four Billion Years of Earth History with Dr. Nick Eyles
This talk will summarize the long geological evolution of Canada. It is an immigrant country made up largely of far-traveled crust brought together by plate tectonics. Its history begins 4.1 billion years ago with a small landmass (preserved as the Slave craton in the present day Northwest territories) and ends with glaciations of the last … Continue reading The Making of Canada: Four Billion Years of Earth History with Dr. Nick Eyles
March Break Family Outing to wings of Paradise Butterfly Conservatory, Cambridge
Walk amongst butterflies in a lush tropical paradise and imagine you are in Costa Rica or the Philippines. Learn about butterfly metamorphosis while you watch butterflies emerge from their chrysalides! For group discount, contact Dian wood by March 5th to register: saublebeach@hotmail.com or 519-422-1514.
Hullet Marshes: Waterfowl in Spring with Peter Middleton
Celebrate the return of spring as migrating waterfowl feed and rest on the waters of these superb interior wetlands south of Wingham, for an all-day outing. Bring lunch, waterproof footwear, and field optics. Meet at 8 a.m. in the parking lot of Foodland, 10th St. West, Owen sound to car poolLimit: 20 participantsContact Peter Middleton … Continue reading Hullet Marshes: Waterfowl in Spring with Peter Middleton
Birdwatcher’s Stew with Fred Jazvac
Join Fred for an overview of the many ingredients that make up a recipe for successful bird watching.
Froggies and Woodcocks in Love
We'll visit the woods of Hibou Conservation Area at dusk to listen to spring amphibians, and, if we're lucky, watch the courtship flight of the American Woodcock.Limit: 20 people. Please register with Lorraine at 519-372-0322 or lorraine@apropos.ca
Nature Hikes with Dave Fidler @ 6 p.m.
Come join Dave for one or all of his fabulous nature hikes on his wooded property. No registration is required - just show up! Walks take place Monday evenings: April 19, April 26, May 3, May 10, May 17, May 24. Directions to Fidler's Green from Springmount, just west of Owen Sound: Continue west on … Continue reading Nature Hikes with Dave Fidler @ 6 p.m.
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
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.