This summer grab your cameras, head outside, and explore all the beauty Oxford has to offer.

The Ingersoll District Nature Club is pleased to announce our 3rd Annual Photo Contest, open to residents of Oxford County.  This year’s theme is “Go with the Flow in Oxford County“, in celebration of our many waterways, lakes and wetlands and the natural world they support.  The focus should be on preservation of our remaining natural resources.

Whether you choose to go for a hike, take a ride in a canoe, or simply enjoy discovering what’s hiding in your own backyard pond; there is so much to see and do in this naturally diverse county we call home.  While you’re out, why not capture the amazing sights and share your photos with us!

Commencing on June 1st, please submit your best photos to us by email or mail. Our contest will run all summer with entries accepted until October 11th at 5:00 p.m.

Oxford County photographers of all ages and skill levels are invited to submit their photos (maximum of 6 per person) either in electronic or traditional print format by the deadline.  Featuring three age categories: 12 and under, 13-18 years of age and 19 and over, the top winner in each category will have the chance to win prizes from local businesses, with the winning photos featured on our website and in local media.

Electronic submissions can be emailed to ingersolldistrictnatureclub@gmail.com.  Print submissions can be sent, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope to Ingersoll District Nature Club Photography Contest, c/o 205 George Street, Ingersoll, Ontario N5C 1Z5.  Applicants should identify the location of each of their photos.

Take moment to look at last year’s winning photos.  Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through email at:  ingersolldistrictnatureclub@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing your photos –  Happy shooting!  Have a great summer.

Check out the 2015 winning photos.

The IDNC has been busy again, with 2 immensely successful, back-to-back events: Live Flying Birds of Prey (Feb. 18) and Lawson in Winter (Feb. 20th).

Lawson Reserve in Winter – February 20
18 Adults and 6 children joined club naturalist Don Bucknell to learn about the birds and trees at the Lawson Nature Reserve just South of Ingersoll (LNR info). It was an easy walk of about 2 km through mostly woodland. Highlights included spotting a red-bellied woodpecker, and learning the easy way to tell the difference between red and white pines (red have needles in groups of 2 while white have needles in groups of 5). Don also pointed out the many different tree species and what makes their bark unique.

Red-bellied woodpecker. Photo by B.Grant

Group on the path. Photo by B.Grant

Yellow Birch. Photo by B.Grant

Photo by B.Grant

Don explaining the difference between red and white pine needle arrangements. Photo by B.Grant

Live, Flying Birds of Prey! – February 18
250 people came to see the  demonstration by the Canadian Raptor Conservatory! A horned owl, harris hawk, red-tailed hawk, and bald eagle were brought to the Unifor Hall and allowed to fly down the aisle, or over the crowd of people!  An in-depth commentary on the natural history, size, prey species, range and the relationship to humans of each bird. We think it’s safe to say that everyone learned something new and fascinating that evening!

To see descriptions of more past events, please visit our Recent Events Page

Ontario Reptiles At Risk

The Ingersoll District Nature Club would like to invite you to a free Family Presentation  and  Advanced Workshops about Ontario reptiles.

Wednesday January 20th 2016. Family presentation from 6 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. (open) and Advanced Workshop from 8 P.M. – 10 P.M. ( e-mail to reserve your space)  at the Unifor Building, at 364 Victoria Street in Ingersoll.

The Reptiles at Risk Advanced Workshop is an interactive training workshop featuring live reptiles, many of which are species at risk. It is a great opportunity to increase reptile knowledge and gain hands-on experience. Reptiles at Risk is a partnership between Scales Nature Park, Laurentian University, and CARCNET. The project is funded through the Ministry of Natural Resources Species at Risk Stewardship Fund to provide free educational programming about reptiles at risk throughout Ontario. The goal is to increase appreciation and conservation of Ontario reptiles.

This informative workshop is suitable for advanced herpetofauna enthusiasts. It will provide detailed information about Ontario reptiles, focusing on species found locally within the community. Topics will include species identification, life history, handling techniques, conservation status and threats, mitigation strategies, and legislative issues. Following the presentation portion of the workshop, a hands-on session will provide an opportunity for participants to practice and become familiar with the handling of these reptiles.

The Ingersoll District Nature Club is hosting and funding the family presentation and workshop, and are providing coffee and refreshments.

If you are interested in attending the workshop or would like more information, please email Dave Baird at dcbaird@rogers.com

An article about the recent work IDNC has done at the Lawson Nature Reserve can be found in the Spring 2015 addition of ON Nature Magazine:

http://www.vdocshop.com/doc/on-nature-magazine/on-nature-spring-2015/2015030501/#10

Darwin Kent provided the update, including trail improvements, the new gate and bridge, new bird houses and nest boxes, and a special thanks to the volunteers who have helped out. Well done IDNC!

Monarch Butterflies Talk by Dr. Jeremy McNeil of Western University
Tuesday, March 10, 2015 – 7:00 pm
Mutual Building, Woodstock Fairgrounds

This talk is hosted by the Woodstock Horticulture Club, and is open to the public. Join us in seeing this presentation given by a leading researcher in Monarch Butterfly migration.

Event Reminder: Join us this Tuesday (March 10) at 7:00 pm in the Ingersoll Public Library Meeting Room for “Engaging Youth in Nature” with Bernie Solymar, Executive Director, Nature’s Calling Environmental Education.

Numerous studies are showing that children exposed to nature and the outdoors perform better in school, are healthier, and respond better to stress. However, in today’s highly wired world children often get very little exposure to nature and the outdoors. Learn about the ways that Nature’s Calling Environmental Education is addressing “nature deficit disorder” and how we reconnect families with the natural world.

For more information on Nature’s Calling Environmental Education, visit http://naturescalling.ca/

For more information on this and other Ingersoll District Nature Club events, visit https://ingersollnatureclub.com/club-activities/activities-calendar/

Map to Ingersoll Library (image courtesy of Google Maps)

The Ingersoll District Nature Club invites one and all to join us this Saturday, March 7, 2015 for a Hike at Springwater… it’s Maple Syrup Season!  Join us for pancakes and real maple syrup, followed by a trail walk, at Springwater.  Mouth-watering good and beautiful trails!  Learn how maple syrup is made on site – great for kids.

For more information, call Meg at 519-485-4220.

For more information on the Maple Syrup Festival that begins this weekend at Springwater, visit http://www.catfishcreek.ca/pages/public-calendar-event?id=41

We will meet at the municipal parking lot between the Ingersoll Memorial Arena and Tim Horton’s. We will be  departing from Carpool Lot at 9:00 a.m. (See map below. Map courtesy of Google Maps.)

The Ingersoll District Nature Club has two exciting events coming up. We invite everyone to come join us…

Saturday, March 7, 2015 – Hike at Springwater… it’s Maple Syrup Season! Depart from Carpool Lot at 9:00 a.m.  Join us for pancakes and real maple syrup, followed by a trail walk, at Springwater.  Mouth-watering good and beautiful trails!  Learn how maple syrup is made on site – great for kids. We will meet at the municipal parking lot between the Ingersoll Memorial Arena and Tim Horton’s. For more information, call Meg at 519-485-4220.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015 – “Engaging Youth in Nature” with Bernie Solymar, Executive Director, Nature’s Calling Environmental Education – Ingersoll Public Library Meeting Room – 7:00 p.m.  Numerous studies are showing that children exposed to nature and the outdoors perform better in school, are healthier, and respond better to stress.  However, in today’s highly wired world children often get very little exposure to nature and the outdoors.  Learn about the ways that Nature’s Calling Environmental Education is addressing “nature deficit disorder” and how we reconnect families with the natural world.

Reminder: Join the Ingersoll District Nature Club TONIGHT (Tuesday, February 10, 2015) at 7:00 pm for a special presentation on “Low Impact Development (LID) in Ingersoll” with Guest Speaker Teresa Hollingsworth of the Upper Thames Conservation Authority at Ingersoll Public Library Meeting Room.

LID is a stormwater management approach, using small, simple designs and landscape features at the lot level, to infiltrate, filter, store, evaporate and detain runoff close to its source.  Come learn about simple solutions to reducing the rate and amount of water running off your property – which in turn lessens water runoff to storm sewers and reduces any negative impact on our water quality.  Rain gardens, bioswales, downspout redirects, and rain barrels are all part of the solutions.  Come hear more from Teresa on this interesting topic.

The Program for the 2015 Huron Fringe Birding Festival (May 22 – 25 & May 28 – 31, 2015) has been set and can be seen online at Friends of MacGregor Point Park Registration Website at http://friendsofmacgregor.org/page/huron-fringe-birding-festival.

The website says…

“Morning activities are filled with guided hikes concentrating not only on birds but wildflowers, butterflies and insects, in and outside the park.  Afternoons feature additional hikes, workshops on bird identification and nature photography, plus other natural interests.

Special events include a banquet with a special guest speaker.  Evening highlights include illustrated programs featuring excellent presenters and night hikes.”

You can find out more information and complete the online registration on their website.