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The Egret - Volume 35 - Issue 4 - December 2019 |
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Members of the ECFNC were out in full force. Photo by Gerry Kaiser |
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On Friday September 27 2019, hundreds of people gathered at Charles Clark Square in the afternoon to participate in a climate strike day of action hosted by Earth Strike Windsor. At the same time this strike took place, students from high schools across the region walked out and marched their grounds to show solidarity. St. Clair College students marched along the Herb Gray Parkway and some local businesses closed up shop for the afternoon. These coordinated efforts locally reflected numerous climate strikes taking place across the world that week to bring awareness of climate change worries and challenges that are being felt.
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By Gina Pannunzio, Kelly Laforest and Ian Naisbitt |
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Woke up today and checked the foreboding weather forecast:
“Frost advisory in effect for: Windsor - Leamington - Essex County and
Special weather statement in effect for: Windsor - Leamington - Essex County.” More details included: increasing cloudiness. Rain beginning this afternoon. Amount 5 mm. Wind becoming southeast 20 km/h gusting to 40 near noon. High 13. UV index 2 or low. Regardless of the advisory and special weather statement, it looked like there was a window of opportunity to plant the trees and shrubs in the morning. We always have a positive attitude that volunteers will be able to get the job done.
In the past, volunteers have persevered and cleaned up or planted trees in all kinds of wicked weather: pelting rain or snow with blustery winds. It builds character and adds to our stories we tell friends and family, right?
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| Even Turtles need to stick their neck out: Road mortality near Ojibway |
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Even turtles need to stick their necks out to get things moving. Rick Levick, president of the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve Foundation, used this line in response to concerns of potential community reluctance when proposing road mitigations to protect wildlife. Rick was part of an expert panel on Mitigating Species at Risk Road Mortality, that was called together to discuss the state of reptile and amphiban decline around the Ojibway complex. This discussion was an installement of the Green Speaker Series presented by the Windsor Essex County Environment Committee, WECEC, and was held at the Malden Park Vistors center on Wednesday, October 30th. |
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Junior Photographers Hone Their Skills
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By Andy Paul, with photos assembled by Jessica Middleton |
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Jessica Middleton leads the Jr. Egrets on a photo scavenger hunt at Ojibway
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The Junior Egrets were back in action last month for the fourth and final event of 2019. On the afternoon of Saturday, November 2nd, 14 young naturalists and their family members participated in an introductory junior photography session. It was an opportunity for all to learn how to use a camera and practice their picture-taking skills, while having some fun.
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Diana Beresford-Kroeger’s Talk at St. Clair College |
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Last month, renowned scientist, author, and visionary Diana Beresford-Kroeger came to Windsor as part of a tour to promote her new book, To Speak For the Trees. On Sunday November 3rd, Ms. Beresford-Kroeger gave a talk to a packed Student Life Centre at St. Clair College. She was greeted by a “Green Carpet” of local environmental advocates and students with signs showing their support for the student climate strikes. Several members of the Essex County Field Naturalist Club were there, including Tracey Colenutt who provided some paw paw trees for the event.
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Trees, Children and Diana Beresford-Kroeger |
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| In October, the Pelee Island Bird Observatory (PIBO), along with CBC Windsor, asked children ages four to 12 to make a short video about why trees are important. From those submissions, 10 children were selected to attend a nature walk with Diana Beresford-Kroeger around Ojibway on Monday, November 4th. I volunteered for theis PIBO event, and after ensuring that each child (and their parents) had their safety and consent forms filled out, I was lucky enough to tag along. During the walk, the kids were treated with many informative facts, anecdotes and activities, all focused around the history, healing power, and overall wonder of trees. |
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ECFNC 35th Annual Dinner – Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019
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By JoAnn Grondin, Heritage Committee Coordinator |
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Carl Maiolani was the recipient of this year's Outstanding Achievement Award (much to his surprise!) for all of his hard work over the years, including roles as Membership Secretary and weather selector. |
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Our Annual Dinner was held on Saturday, November 9th and went very well, despite some setbacks. Many thanks to our volunteers, those who attended, our speaker Paul Pratt and our MC, Steve Marks. It was a very pleasant evening and I have lots of people to thank. Without their help, this dinner could not take place. |
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List of Silent Auction Donations/Donors |
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| Please click the link below for a complete list of all of the items donated to this year's silent auction. A big thank you to all of the generous donors. We would also like to thank those who participated in the bidding process. All funds will go directly to supporting our club. |
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State of the Straight Conference 2019 |
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The State of the Strait is a bi-national collaboration between Canada and the US that hosts a meeting every two years. The purpose is to bring together government agencies, managers, researchers, students, advocates, conservation organizations and the public together to learn about historical, current and future ecosystem conditions of the Detroit River.
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Your new go-to spot for all local climate-related information, courtesy of our Climate Change Correspondent Jennifer Nantais. |
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Climate Change Emergency Declared!
Windsor joined over 400 other jurisdictions across Canada in declaring a climate change emergency through a unanimous city council vote on November 18th.
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Windsor-Essex Climate Change Action Symposium
On November 29th 2019, experts and stakeholders gathered at the Windsor-Essex Climate Action Symposium held at the University of Windsor. A wide range of speakers included Claire Sanders from the Essex Region Conservation Authority, Karina Richters from the City of Windsor, Dr. Anneke Smit and the University of Windsor Cities & Climate Action Forum, energy specialist Peter Garforth, former Guelph Mayor Karen Farbridge, University of Windsor professors Paul Henshaw and Edwin Tam, and Amandeep Hans from the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.
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Windsor Receives an A Grade for Climate Change Plan
The City of Windsor scored high marks after a 2019 questionnaire conducted by CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project), a non-profit charity that releases environmental impacts for corporations, cities and regions. The city received an A grade for adaptation efforts, which respond to the impacts of climate change, and a B for mitigation initiatives, which aim more at prevention than reaction.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
For full details and the latest updates, visit www.essexcountynature.com/events
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Holiday Beach Christmas Bird Count
Saturday, December 28th at Holiday Beach
Please contact Kory Renaud or Jeremy Hatt for details.
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The Detroit River Christmas Bird Count
Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 (Happy New Year’s!)
The event will cover Windsor from Lauzon Road, downstream to the foot of Laurier in LaSalle.
Please contact Paul Pratt for details.
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January Meeting - Exploring Canada’s Highway to the Arctic
Wednesday, January 8th, 7:30pm at the Ojibway Nature Centre
Essex County Field Naturalists Kory & Sarah Renaud will talk about their trip along the rugged Dempster Highway through the Yukon and Northwest Territories. They will share their stories and photos of this adventure of a lifetime!
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Winter Birding along the Detroit River
In partnership with Ontario Field Ornithologists
Sunday, January 12th
Meet 9am at Lakeview Park Marina - 9200 Riverside Drive East in Windsor
Leaders: Kory Renaud and Jeremy Hatt
Winter is an excellent time of year to observe waterfowl, gulls, and birds of prey using the open water of the Detroit River. We will start the day at the marina, make a visit to Little River Corridor, continue down river to check a few spots, and finally end at Ojibway Park.
Be sure to dress for the weather, pack some snacks, and bring a scope if you have one. Due to the duration of the outing (9am-3pm), we will make a brief stop for lunch along the way.
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February Meeting - A Great Time to be a Naturalist!
Wednesday, February 12th, 7:30 pm at the Ojibway Nature Centre
Join the City of Windsor’s Biodiversity Coordinator, Tom Preney, and learn how fun and easy it is to contribute to citizen science using iNaturalist. iNaturalist blends science and technology and uses social networking to discuss real time observations while documenting biodiversity. Through an interactive presentation Tom will introduce you to the world of iNaturalist and provide a tutorial on how to use both the web and mobile version so you can contribute to the world’s leading citizen science project. Before attending the presentation participants are encourage to download the iNaturalist App on their mobile device.
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Stay tuned for more!
Any future events will be announced at monthly meetings
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STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE ESSEX COUNTY FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB! |
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About Us
Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club is a non-profit, open-to-the-public volunteer organization that focuses on promoting the conservation and restoration of the diverse natural heritage of Essex County and the surrounding region. We also strive to provide educational opportunities for the people of Essex County to become acquainted with and better understand the natural environment. |
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Contact Us
Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club
c/o Ojibway Nature Centre
5200 Matchette Rd.
Windsor On,
N9C 4E8
Except for our annual dinner in November, monthly meetings are held the second Wednesday of the month at 7:30 pm at Ojibway Nature Center, 5200 Matchette Road, Windsor. All are welcome! We also have monthly outings posted in the ‘Events’ section of this newsletter as well as on our website. |
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CHAIRPERSONS/LIAISONS
Ontario Nature Liaison: Steve Marks, Jessica Middleton, Andy Paul
ERCA Liaison: Gina Pannunzio
Bluebird Committee: Don Bissonnette
Ojibway Liaison: Carl Maiolani
Citizens Environment Alliance Liaison: Andy Paul
Canada South Land Trust Liaison: Dave Kraus
Detroit River Canadian Cleanup Liaison: Gina Pannunzio, Steve Marks |
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COMMITTEES
Egret Editorial: Chris Hart, Kory Renaud, Gina Pannunzio
Junior Naturalists: Kory Renaud, Andy Paul, Jeremy Bensette, Sarah Renaud, Jessica Middleton
Heritage: JoAnn Grondin (coordinator), Dave Kraus, Betty Learmouth, Jim McAllister, Gerry Waldron, Shirley Grondin, Cathy Lapain, Tim Shortridge, Aileen Petrozzi, Ellen van Wageningen
Little River Enhancement Group: Ian Naisbitt (chair)
Fish Book: Dave Kraus
Website & Social Media: Kory Renaud
Membership: Jeremy Hatt (chair), Paula O’Rourke, Carl Maiolani, Sam Dundas, Aileen Petrozzi |
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ECFNC MEMBERSHIP
Your annual membership fees help to support the local efforts of the club. To learn more about becoming a member, please contact our membership secretary, Carl Maiolani.
- Receive the quarterly newsletter The Egret via email
- Enjoy guest speakers at the monthly meetings
- Explore our natural heritage with a guide
- Help restore and protect Essex County’s natural heritage
Online Payment Option
Join or renew your membership online at www.essexcountynature.com/membership
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