Bob has worked with the Owen Sound Field Naturalists over many years to publish several books about the natural history of Grey and Bruce Counties.
Bob’s background is in physical geography and biology. Most of his career was spent working locally as a naturalist and ecologist for the Ministry of Natural Resources.
In 1994 the OSFN began discussing the idea of producing a Grey Bruce plant checklist. Building on Bobs work through MNR with Joe Johnson, the ad hoc group published “A Checklist of the Vascular Plants for Grey & Bruce Counties” in 1995. It has been revised several times and the 4th edition appeared in 2010. A total of 1500 copies has been printed. Continue reading Bob Gray: Life Member→
In recognition of the Owen Sound Field Naturalists 25th Anniversary Celebration, Deb Haswell, Owen Sound Mayor, presented a plaque to John Dickson, Owen Sound Field Naturalists’ President
We are proud of our achievements. Here are but a few:
A group of OSFN members have drawn on their expertise and authored eight high quality nature/field guides on such topics as the unique Ferns, Orchids, Geology, Vascular Plants, Wildflowers, found in Grey and Bruce Counties. Thousands of copies have been sold, enabling local people and naturalists from far afield to learn more about the rich natural heritage of this unique area. (See Publications)
Produced an updated Checklist of the Birds of Grey-Bruce which lists 340 documented species and provides seasonal, occurrence and breeding status information.
Constructed a boardwalk through the woods at Hibou Conservation Area, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Owen Sound.
Built an extensive boardwalk with interpretive panels through the Oliphant Fen on the Huron shore of the Bruce Peninsula in collaboration with the Saugeen Field Naturalists. Recently we produced and erected a new interpretive panel sign for the Oliphant Fen. It presents 24 unusual wildflowers that grow in the fen, along with their blooming dates.
Constructed an avian viewing tower at Baie du Dor on Lake Huron, where numerous Bald Eagles gather each winter at the warm water outflow at the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station.
Produced a tourism brochure for the City of Owen Sound. Called “Natural Owen Sound”, this brochure directs visitors to four walks where visitors can enjoy birds, plants, geology and other aspects of nature in and around Owen Sound.
In collaboration with the Canadian Friends of John Muir, we organized a day-long event celebrating the time John Muir spent in our area.
Established Butterfly Counts in Owen Sound, at MacGregor Provincial Park and the Bruce Peninsula National Park in association with the North America Butterfly Association.
Conducted Chimney Swift surveys in collaboration with Bird Studies Canada SwiftWatch monitoring program for several years.
Established the OSFN Young Naturalists Club and provide it with ongoing support, in collaboration with the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority. Each year we send one or two young naturalists to Ontario Nature’s summer camp.
In addition we support, sponsor and maintain a miscellany of various ongoing projects such as highway cleanup under the Adopt a Hwy program, provide judging and awards in the annual Bluewater Science Fairs, established Purple Martin nesting apartment houses at the Bayshore property in Owen Sound, erected Osprey nesting platforms at McNab and Isaac lakes, etc.
We have also provided funding towards important nature reserve land acquisitions and projects over the years:
to the Bruce Trail Association toward the purchase of lands at Skinner’s Bluff.
to the Institute for Outdoor Education and Environmental Studies near Wiarton.
to the Peregrine Falcon Release Project in Owen Sound.
to the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) towards the purchase of 200 acres in the Malcolm Kirk Nature Reserve.
to the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy towards the purchase of lands in Long Swamp.
to the NCC the purchase of land near Gillies Lake/Cabot Head.
to the NCC towards the purchase of lands in the Northern Bruce Peninsula
We have entered into Stewardship agreements with the NCC to provide ongoing support , monitoring and caretaking of some of the above, and other properties.
And we have established the Lorraine Brown Conservation Trust Fund with the objective of supporting ongoing conservation activities and acquisitions, and new conservation initiatives of the Owen Sound Field Naturalists in Grey and Bruce Counties.
The Isle Royale & Keweenaw Parks Association has sent us information saying:
Because of your interest in native plants, we wanted to let you know about a popular Botany Workshop (#9) in Isle Royale National Park this coming June and a second Botany Workshop to be held in September. A unique island national park located in western Lake Superior, Isle Royale is probably best-known for its wolf-moose study spanning more thanfive decades. However, this unique island is also home to a rich diversity of native plant species found in its many upland, wetland, and bedrock shoreline communities. The details can be found here.
Tania Gilchrist reports: Saw a male and female red-winged blackbird at our feeders this morning at the front of the house (when he moved his wings the red showed up). They stayed for about 10 minutes.
Dian Wood reports: I am surprised that a Northern Shrike would appear in the heavily forested area where I live. This immature Northern Shrike appears very healthy and although I observed the grey and rosy-pink feathers of a male Redpoll littered on my driveway, I am NOT ASSUMING it was the Northern Shrike who was responsible! To quote my good friend Bob, “Don’t assume that it is the Northern Shrike rather than a Merlin that is eating your small birds. Merlin certainly seems like a strong possibility in that case. Wait until you can actually see the bird and determine its identity.” As I have learned, it is always good to get photographs especially in our dull days of winter! Lesson learned: get PHOTOGRAPHS to positively ID unusual birds!
