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The Egret - Volume 36 - Issue 3 - September 2020 |
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We hope that everyone is staying safe and healthy during these trying times.
We will be back stronger. |
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Club's YouTube channel becomes meeting hub
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When COVID-19 temporarily halted monthly membership meetings at the Ojibway Nature Centre, the Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club turned to YouTube.
September will mark the fourth time the club is launching a video on its Essex County Nature channel the night of its regular monthly meeting (the second Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.). Click the icon below to go straight there!
The latest instalment is a team effort spearheaded by Gina Pannunzio and includes video, photos and narration by several club members.
The topic is the snapping turtle, Canada’s largest turtle and one of its oldest surviving species.
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Detroit River Canadian Cleanup 2019/20
Annual Report and Pathway to Delisting
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When the Windsor-Detroit area underwent rapid industrialization at the turn of the 20th century, the Detroit River became notoriously polluted. These environmental issues have been identified as being related to, or the cause of, the impairment of several beneficial uses. The 1970s and 1980s saw the development of a massive conservation effort aimed at cleaning up the Detroit River.
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2019 State of the Great Lakes Report
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The Governments of Canada and the United States have released the 2019 State of the Great Lakes Highlights Report, which provides an overview of the status and trends of the Great Lakes ecosystem. Overall, Great Lakes water quality was assessed as “fair and unchanging.” While progress to restore and protect the Great Lakes has occurred, including the reduction of toxic chemicals, challenges cited in the report include invasive species and excess nutrients that contribute to toxic and nuisance algae. Read the report here.
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Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring 25 Year Report |
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For the past 25 years, the Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program has tracked populations, investigated habitat associations, contributed to management and planning, and increased public awareness of the importance of wetlands. The results of their surveys are often used by Areas of Concern to make decisions regarding coastal wetland habitat.
Hot off the presses is their 25-year Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program report, which outlines progress made over the past couple decades.
Read the report here.
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Raptor migration has started and Holiday Beach Conservation Area is a great spot to observe this spectacle.
We remind everyone that ERCA has closed the hawk tower to the public. Holiday Beach Migration Observatory has been granted a three-person limit on the tower for designated Hawk Counters. Thank you to all who are respecting these covid-19 precautions. Be safe everyone!
Visit hawkcount.org website to see the daily count results of the Holiday Beach Hawk Watch and other hawk counts from across North America.
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Our Wild Backyards, continued |
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A few nature photos taken by some club members over the last few months. |
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Given the current circumstances, the ECFNC Board of Executives has decided to cancel the Club's Annual Dinner. This event is usually well attended, and November is not that far away, so this decision was made with the health and safety of our members, and our community in mind. We appreciate your understanding. |
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Take your brain on a little nature hike with this locally inspired word search. Words can be spelled out in ALL directions - forwards, backwards, up, down and diagonally.
Scroll down for the answers. Good luck! |
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WORD LIST
Essex County Ojibway Milksnake Point Pelee
Conservation Egret Monarch Migration
Nature Milkweed Goldenrod Snapping turtle
Chimney swift Barn swallow Purple martin Little brown bat
Little River Holiday Beach Devonwood Greenway |
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Puzzle Answers
June 2020 Crossword |
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UPCOMING EVENTS
For full details and the latest updates, visit www.essexcountynature.com/events
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Unfortunately many of the great local events and activites have been cancelled or postponed due to social distancing guidelines. Please stay tuned for more information as things progress. |
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ECFNC September
Virtual Members' Meeting
Wednesday, September 9th, at 7:30 p.m. on YouTube
Essex County Field Naturalists' Club Executive members have put together a short documentary on our very own local dinosaur - the snapping tutle.
The video will be put up on our EssexCountyNature YouTube channel at 7:30pm and will feature video and voice overs providing information about snapping turtles.
If you are unable join us online Wednesday evening, you can go to the YouTube channel any time afterward to watch the video and add your comments.
Click the icon below to get to the Essex County Nature YouTube channel. Remember to hit the Subscribe button and the bell notification to receive reminders when we post new videos.
| We would love to share your nature videos. Contact membership secretary Ellen van Wageningen at ellenvw@cogeco.ca if you have one. She will let you know where to upload it and the information we require to post it. |
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Future ECFNC Monthly Members' Meetings
2nd Wednesday of the Month, 7:30pm
Due to current circumstances, information on future members' meetings will be provided closer to the date. If social distancing restrictions are still in place, a virtual presentation will be made available. Please stay tuned for updates. |
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Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas 2021-2025
If you would like to participate in the new Breeding Bird Atlas project please send a note to Paul Pratt & Karen Cedar, Essex region coordinators at: essex@birdsontario.org
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Detroit River Fish Consumption Survey
Do you fish the Detroit River? The Detroit River Canadian Cleanup is interested in knowing what fish people catch and eat from the Detroit River. Your input will provide valuable information to help guide future research, education and outreach, as well as monitoring and remediation efforts in the Detroit River and its watershed. Participants will receive a $5 Tim Horton’s gift card (while supplies last) for their response.
Take the survey now here!
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Community Energy Planning Survey
A survey is hoping to gain insight and perspective regarding the importance of energy use from diverse groups across Essex County. The Essex County Regional Energy Plan (REP) is being developed to better understand current energy consumption, identify opportunities for energy efficiency, help to meet the community’s climate priorities, and strengthen the local economy. All seven Essex County municipalities are partners in this comprehensive plan. The survey is available online at the newly launched website at www.countyofessex.ca/REP and will be available for input until September 11, 2020.
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Windsor Sportsmen’s Club Kids, Cops and Canadian Tire 61st Annual Fishing Derby
Saturday September 19, 2020 -
8am to 11:30am
Reaume and Dieppe Park, Windsor, ON
Join members of the WSC as they host their 61st annual fishing derby! This event is open to children ages 12 and under. Participants should plan to bring their own rod and containers for the bait. Free bait will be provided by Bill’s and following the derby everyone is invited to the award ceremony and a light lunch for the kids at the Windsor Sportsmen’s Club. For more information please contact Greg Rossyan at truckergreg62@gmail.com. The ECFNC will be there too with an informational display with the DRCC about the club and the Detroit River so come say hello!
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National Tree Day – September 23 2020
National Tree Day serves as a celebration for all Canadians to appreciate the great benefits that trees provide us – clean air, wildlife habitat, reducing energy demand and connecting with nature.
More info: https://treecanada.ca/engagement-research/national-tree-day/
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World Rivers Day – September 27 2020
World Rivers Day is a celebration of the world's waterways. It highlights the many values of rivers and strives to increase public awareness and encourages the improved stewardship of rivers around the world.
More info: https://worldriversday.com/
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Visit www.essexcountynature.com/junior-egrets to join the excitement.
The Junior Egrets' page is being updated regularly, so check back often. |
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Request for Photos!
Have you seen anything neat in nature lately? Did you happen to catch it on camera? If so, consider submitting it to egret@essexcountynature.com and we could include it in future articles or posts. Be sure to include your name and all relevant information about the photo (who/where/what/when). |
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Stay tuned for more!
Any future events will be announced at monthly meetings and listed in our calendar.
Look out for email updates about any events within Covid19 guidelines.
Check out our Facebook page and YouTube channel for fun content updates!
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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.
NOTICE - ALL Club meetings and events are cancelled until further notice |
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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: Jennifer Nantais, Jessica Middleton
Citizens Environment Alliance Liaison: Andy Paul
Canada South Land Trust Liaison: Dave Kraus
Detroit River Canadian Cleanup Liaison: Gina Pannunzio, Steve Marks, Andy Paul
Climate Change: Jennifer Nantais
NCC: Karen Alexander
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COMMITTEES
Egret Editorial: Chris Hart, Kory Renaud
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, Ellen van Wageningen
Membership: Jeremy Hatt (chair), Carl Maiolani, Aileen Petrozzi, Ellen van Wageningen
Grant Committee: Karen Alexander, Jessica Middleton, Jennifer Nantais, Jeremy Bensette
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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, Ellen van Wageningen.
- 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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