This year (2014) the OSFN has chosen Merle Gunby as a recipient of our Honourary Life Membership award. This award is given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to nature, research, education and conservation.  Merle and his wife Sheila joined the OSFN in 1995 and since then Merle has spent many hours volunteering on numerous projects for the OSFN.

Merle was President of the OSFN in 1999-2000, and was a member of the Board for 6 years. He was a member of the Bruce Grey Plant Committee which produced a series of highly acclaimed, best-selling field guide-type books on the natural history of the two Counties. He was OSFN’s representative of the Rankin Management Committee for many years. He also worked with Nels Maher creating an inventory of outstanding trees in Owen Sound.
In addition to his activities for the OSFN Merle dedicated many hours volunteering for the Sydenham Bruce Trail Club, as a volunteer at the Grey Roots Museum and Archives, was Chair and member of the Inglis Falls Arboretum Alliance and member of the Grey Sauble Conservation Foundation.
In his quiet way Merle has been an outstanding advocate for the preservation of natural areas in Grey County.