We recently received an email from Pete Ewins, Lead specialist, species conversation for the World Wildlife Fund – Canada:

“I wanted to share with you some fantastic news from our colleagues at WWF-Mexico. The area of mountain forest occupied by monarch butterflies this winter increased by 144 per cent over last year.

This is the biggest growth in 12 years and is a sign that the population of monarchs that migrate from Canada and the United States to Mexico may be on the rise, in part due to efforts of supporters like you.

Because we can’t count butterflies individually, scientists instead measure the area of forest the iconic butterfly occupies to get a sense of the overall population. The survey, conducted by WWF-Mexico and partners, found monarchs in 6.05 hectares of forest compared to 2.48 hectares during the same period in winter of 2017-2018.

This increase in butterflies is a testament to the power of conservation and the efforts of committed supporters like you across the continent.

Jorge Rickards, the general director of WWF-Mexico, attributed the increase in monarchs to better protection of the fir and pine forests monarchs hibernate in each winter and collective efforts to restore native plant habitat along the butterfly’s epic migratory route.

Here in Canada, more than 60 elementary and secondary schools have replaced monoculture schoolyards with vibrant pollinator gardens through our Living Planet @ School program. Through our In the Zone native plant gardening program, Go Wild grants and with the support of individuals like you, many more have transformed backyards and community spaces into vital habitat for wildlife.

While these results are to be celebrated, we cannot claim victory just yet. Monarch populations are still drastically lower than they were two decades ago. With you by our side, we’re taking steps in the right direction and will continue to address the threats monarchs face.

Let’s keep the momentum going for this iconic species! Together, we can reverse the decline of wildlife.”

For the past 10 years, people around the world have come together for Earth Hour to support efforts to change climate change. Together, we have created a powerful movement that helped deliver strong global commitments to address this threat. Climate change remains a big challenge for us all. But another urgent threat now demands our attention: the loss of nature.

Join us on 30 March 2019, 8:30 pm your local time for Earth Hour. Switch off💡in solidarity with global efforts to secure nature and our home, and speak up on why nature matters to you.

This is our moment to #Connect2Earth.

For more information, visit https://www.earthhour.org/

IDNC enjoyed a great hike along The Thames River at Beachville on January 19th. Thanks to Ken Westcar, Oxford County Trails Council, for the guided tour, outlining work done by volunteers and future plans. Thanks, also, to Ingersoll’s Chocolatea for their delicious hot chocolate that warmed 18 hardy souls at the end!!! Best sighting of the day – a bald 🦅 eagle!

Photo credit – Bill Grant, Club Member

Recently, we received an email from Ontario Nature, discussing Bill 66 (Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act):

Dear Carolinian West Nature Network Members,

As most of you are likely aware, Bill 66 (Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act) passed first reading on December 6th, 2018. If passed, this legislation would trump critical environmental protections for land, water and wildlife throughout Ontario. There is a serious misconception that the overriding of environmental protections that this Bill enables is confined largely to the Greater Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt and surrounding areas. This is not true. It affects all municipalities in Ontario and all of your communities.

There are some very important deadlines that you should be aware of:

•        January 20th: Deadline for comments on Bill 66 through the Environmental Registry for Ontario (ERO postings were previously referred to as EBR postings).

•        Bill 66 is on the order paper for second reading on February 19th when the Legislature returns.

•        After passing second reading, Bill 66 goes to committee. So the anticipated third reading and passage of the Bill is early March.

Further Action: Read Ontario Nature’s blog post which which explains the very serious environmental implications of Bill 66: What You Need to Know: (https://ontarionature.org/bill-66-facts/). Sign the online letter that is being sent to Premier Ford, Todd Smith (Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade) who introduced the Bill, Steve Clark (Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing) and Rod Phillips (Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks) and to share the blog with your networks.

Thanks are extended to the eight club members who participated in this year’s annual Christmas Bird Count, held on December 28. Sightings of 15 species from the two-hour walk are noted below along with count numbers from December 2017, for comparison.

The Ingersoll District Nature Club enjoyed an informative afternoon at the Festive Social on November 25^th.

Winnie Wake from Nature London provided an overview of the plight of chimney swifts in our area, citing food shortage, habitat loss and climate change as impacting the endangered status of these mysterious little birds.  Amazing aerial acrobats, chimney swifts have adapted over time from living in hollow trees to building chimneys.  Listen for their distinctive sound at dusk in late spring, early summer during mating season in downtown Ingersoll.  Following Winnie, Debbie Lefebvre, Swift Care Ontario, provided engaging stories about her rehabilitation efforts with injured chimney swifts.  Thanks are also extended to Hannah Bosma and Taylor Brackenbury, students from Aylmer High School’s Environmental Program who attended Ontario Nature’s 2018 Fall Youth Summit.  They regaled attendees with stories of the fun they had while learning more about the environment, and opportunities for advocacy.  Hannah and Taylor were sponsored by IDNC.

Activities for 2019 will follow before the end of the year.  Be sure to visit our website for updates.

The Lawson Nature Reserve was recently featured on Ontario Southwest’s website:

Whether you choose from 9 trails in our eastern area or 10 trails in our western area, we’ve got routes to suit hikers and nature walkers of all skill levels from little feet to seasoned trekkers. Find fresh air fun, spectacular fall colours, stunning sunsets, fascinating wildlife and more in Ontario’s southwest this fall.

HIKE ONTARIO’S SOUTHWEST