Birding With Pride at Point Pelee was another great success this year bringing members of the LGBTQ+ Community and allies from around Ontario and several attendees from Detroit. The event is held annually on the first weekend of May and is part of the Festival of Birds at Point Pelee.

On June 15, the Club co-hosted our third annual Pride Nature Walk with OFO through the Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve and Tallgrass Prairie Heritage Park. Led by Board members Jennifer Nantais and Jeremy Hatt, this casual walk focuses on community building and our shared love of nature, identifying everything we see from spiders and turtles to birds and wildflowers.

It is imperative during this time of a rise in hatred and attacks on the rights of the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community that we as a Club unequivocally support, organize, and promote events like Birding With Pride and the Ojibway Pride Nature Walk within Essex County to show that we stand against any form of bigotry. In particular, standing strong with the Trans Community is especially important in a time when one of our most vulnerable groups is being targeted. We will continue to show our support towards the Community in our activities and outings.

Warm tributes to Betty were given by several members including Larry Onysko, Ian Naisbitt, and Paul Pratt who shared about Betty’s dedication to nature and conservation, volunteering, activism, and community science, as well as her humble demeanor and sense of humour. Betty had too many accomplishments to list, but was highly instrumental in the success of organizations like ECFNC, Little River Enhancement Group, Holiday Beach Migration Observatory, Friends of Ojibway Prairie, and Canada South Land Trust. It is highly recommend that ECFNC members look back into past issues of The Egret (available on the website) to read the many detailed articles written by Betty as well as the number of projects she was involved with. Betty’s obituary can be found at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/5e8j4wea.

After holding the memorial for Betty, members took a peaceful nature walk around the Hawk Tower where Betty spent many falls counting migrating hawks.

Members left the evening feeling inspired by the tireless efforts of Betty toward the Club and a commitment to continuing her legacy.

A dedication of a planted Swamp White Oak tree to Jim McAllister took place at Hillman Marsh on Sunday, July 13, 2025.  A few ECFNC members and family members were present.  Many fond memories were spoken about Jim. His wife, Claire reminisced that Jim started the Essex County Field Naturalists' Club in their living room, with about 10 members present.

Jim loved the outdoors and was especially fond of Hillman Marsh. After the tree dedication we went for a walk to the marsh area.  On the way to the boardwalk, in the tall grass there were many flowering plants and monarch butterflies fluttering about. The photo below shows the aquatic plant, Pickerelweed in full bloom that day.  We spotted several shorebirds in the distance, particularly a rare Black-Crowned Night Heron.  As well, close to where we were standing, we observed a very large snapping turtle.

Regarding Jim's involvement in forming the Club, Claire later added: "Jim and Barb Ouellette had been germinating the idea of a nature club for some time. Then with a few others, we had the initial meetings in our living room for close to a year. During that  time it was decided to start a newsletter and I believe Phil Roberts suggested The Egret.

I think the impetus for Jim happened when we returned from his sabbatical in Switzerland that we decided the importance of preserving and protecting the environment. After our return to Canada we got up early one morning during the May bird migration to see what birding at Point Pelee was all about. That was our very first foray into birding.That is what really sparked an interest not only in becoming an avid and passionate  bird watcher but to form a club. By forming a club and getting more people involved it would be the inspiration to protect the environment."

We started in the front yard of Brenda’s garden. Walking to the back of the property we were greeted by a canopy of beautiful trees including paw paw, hop, spicebush, redbud, and black cherry to name just a few. Some were hosts to many butterflies. There were many native plants in open spaces with ponds and a trellis that added a fairy garden feel to the area. You can definitely see the love in this garden.

Then down the road a bit was Karen and Peter’s garden.  As we walked to the back we were told about the struggles that they had with the property. We rounded the corner and there it was—the lake view to die for.  Walking towards the back there were many interesting stops including big, beautiful trees but the view drew you to the bluff.  You could take the 103 stairs straight down to Lake Erie or mix the stairs up with a path that meandered back and forth down the bluff, enjoying the plants, insects, and butterflies.

Very impressive garden and the work to restore the piece of property has taken a lot of hard work and hours.

In Harrow, was our next garden: Megan and Roland’s. We were greeted by them both and welcomed with lemonade. It was much appreciated with the day being very hot and sticky. Their garden consists of 97% native plants, most of them labeled. We took the path in front with plants towering above. This garden also had a canopy of trees: Elm, Hackberry, Hop, Hickory, Sycamore and red Cedars which were dug up from the side of road. This garden was 3 years old, and it sure packed a lot into a small piece of property.

Great stewards of your property. We thank you again.