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)
go to Program & Event Archives
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
Around the Bay Waterfowl Outing
Join Fred for the annual waterfowl tour around Owen Sound Bay. With winter approaching, waterfowl are on the move. Target species are loons, grebes, scoters and flotillas of diving ducks. Meet at Harry Lumley Bayshore Arena south parking lot at 10:00 AM for this 4 hour outing. Dress appropriately for a waterfront environment. Bring lunch, … Continue reading Around the Bay Waterfowl Outing
The Secret Lives of Bats
Join world-renowned bat specialist Professor Brock Fenton (UWO) as he explores the secret lives of bats. His talk will include basic bat biology, echolocation, conservation (including white-nosed syndrome among Ontario's bats), and the relationship between bats and people. Professor Fenton will also share observations that he and his research teams have made both in Canada … Continue reading The Secret Lives of Bats
Christmas Bird Counts
Watch the Hart's Tongue Herald and the OSFN e-Herald for dates and information for this year's Christmas Bird Counts in Owen Sound, Wiarton, Meaford, Hanover/Walkerton and Saugeen Shores.
Members’ Night hosted by Jim Ansell
A potpourri of OSFN members' slides, displays, art, collections and compositions focusing on the natural world. A limit of 10 slides and 10 minutes of presentation. Register your presentation with Jim Ansell at (519) 376-2775 or by e-mail, jansell@sympatico.ca.
Snow Shoe Outing in Harrison Park
Join our new program director, Andy Koshan, on a snowshoe hike to experience the joys of winter. With a little luck, it will be a sunny, clear, clod day. We'll follow up with a hot chocolate at the Harrison Park Inn. Meet at the Inn at 1:00 PM.
India: Temples, Tigers and Peacocks
As one considers the most populous nation in the world, conjured images of India rarely turn to diverse landscapes and fascinating wildlife. It is an ancient land teeming with people and intriguing cultures, but it also possesses a wonderful array of wild creatures and spectacular birds. Peter Middleton will take us on a tour to … Continue reading India: Temples, Tigers and Peacocks
Friends of Oliphant Coastal Environments (FOOCE)
Donna Stewart, the Chair of FOOCE, will talk about this relatively young but extremely active and successful volunteer conservation group. FOOCE's vision is "to preserve the unique fen, alvar and Beach/grassland ecosystems of the Oliphant mainland community and adjacent Fishing Islands". Her presentation will tell us of surveys, findings and achievements that the group has … Continue reading Friends of Oliphant Coastal Environments (FOOCE)
Signs of Winter Life
Trapper Verle Barfoot will lead us on a search for signs of winter wildlife in the Glen Conservation Area near Copper Kettle. This trip will take place either Feb. 12 or Feb. 19 depending on the conditions. Bring snowshoes or skis and meet at the Glenn Parking area at 10:00 AM . Bring binoculars, a … Continue reading Signs of Winter Life
From the Andromeda Galaxy to a Spider’s Eye
Wiarton-area potter, Steve Irvine, is also a noted photographer, photographing everything from stars to macro views of nature. His photos have appeared in National Geographic, Natural History, Science and several astronomy magazines. Steve will show us some of his best nature photos, including some taken with the ceramic pinhole cameras that he makes.
Hot Spathes and Hidden Holes
Or should we call it skunk cabbages and sinkholes. It's early spring and in the Beaverdale Bog north of Markdale. The bog forms the upper reaches of the Saugeen River Watershed. Water from the bog also escapes down sinkholes into the Beaver Valley. We will visit a couple of GSCA properties in the bog, watching … Continue reading Hot Spathes and Hidden Holes
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.