Diversity and Inclusion in ECFNC

On August 6, 2020, the Membership Committee of the Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club held a meeting at Brunet Park specifically to address diversity and inclusivity in the Club. The meeting was held outdoors and socially distanced in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines. In the wake of several significant events in 2020, including a historical civil rights movement and renewed exposure of racism and discrimination in the scientific community, the Club felt that it was important to address these issues.

ECFNC Report on Artificial Greenhouse Light Abatement in Leamington

The purpose of this report is to provide information to the Municipality of Leamington and Council to provide feedback on the draft By-law 79-20, being a by-law requiring the abatement of interior greenhouse light. We aim to highlight the rich biodiversity of our region, and bring awareness to the significant impacts that increases in agricultural light pollution could be having on local wildlife. 

Lower Detroit River IBA Count Update: 2019 to 2020

The Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club continues its role as the Caretaker for the Lower Detroit River Important Bird Area (IBA), a project of Birdlife International and administered in Canada by Bird Canada. Each year members of ECFNC partake in three waterfowl counts along the Lower Detroit River in January and February covering the area between the Amherstburg Birding and Nature Trail to the north end Fighting Island. This area is labeled as an important bird area for the high numbers of waterfowl that stage here over the winter months, particularly Canvasback which can be seen in the tens of thousands. 2020 was the fourth year ECFNC has participated in this project.

By Gina Pannunzio

As you may have heard on November 5, 2020, the provincial government tabled Bill 229  Protect, Support, and Recover from COVID-19 Act (Budget Measures), 2020. This piece of legislation encompasses more than just a budget in response to COVID-19. It includes significant and concerning changes to the Conservation Authorities Act . There are many partners across the Province of Ontario who are also concerned about the impact of these proposed changes. If you would like to learn more about why conservation matters, you can view this presentation hosted by the Canadian Environmental Law Association, and send a letter to the Minister of the Environment through Ontario Nature. To date, 19, 950 e-mails have been sent to Minister Philips, Minister of Finance, Minister Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Minister Yakabuski, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, Minister Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, and local MPPs.

As part of the process of writing the history of the Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club, I also felt it was important to create a digital archive of all the past issues of The Egret that are not currently available on the Club’s website. After several years of sporadic motivation to complete this admittedly tedious task (it required a lot of staple removal!), I am happy to announce that all issues of The Egret that I could find from 1984 to 2011 are now scanned and digitized. Kory Renaud is currently working on getting them uploaded to the Club’s website.

By Gina Pannunzio 

ECFNC and the DRCC spent the morning on September 19 at the Detroit River with the Windsor Sportsmen's Club for their 61st annual Kids and Cops fishing derby with Windsor Police and Canadian Tire! Lots of "green bass" were caught at Dieppe Park and some freshwater drum and more were caught at Reaume Park in the City of Windsor. The club was able to sell some of our Fishes of Essex County books, help collect responses to the DRCC’s fish consumption survey and teach kids about the Detroit River! Many thanks to the folks at the Windsor Sportsmen’s Club for hosting this event, while following safe and healthy practices. The weather was beautiful and it’s always great to spend time on the Detroit River with people who care about it.

Love Nature photo contest winners!