Ingersoll District Nature Club celebrates 65 years of nature conservation and advocacy!

 Activities may change throughout the year – please visit this site regularly.

 IDNC welcomes anyone wanting to learn more about nature “in our own backyard” to any of our sessions.

Please note: Carpooling is available for out of town excursions.  For most outdoor activities we meet at the municipal parking lot between the Ingersoll Memorial Arena and Tim Horton’s at the time specified for each event (see the map at the bottom of this page).

Up-Coming Events:

[W] Walk – Carpool at the municipal lot behind the arena at 9:00 a.m. unless otherwise stated. (See map below)

[P] Presentation  – Most indoor events take place at the Ingersoll Unifor Hall (364 Victoria Street, Ingersoll) at 7:00 p.m.(unless otherwise stated

[I] Interactive – time and location mentioned for each activity

Re-check the website for changes to details and added events at www.ingersollnatureclub.com

Contacts:
Sheila Fleming: 519-485-2645
Rob: 519-608-3032
Terry Parker: 250-423-4844
Dave Baird: 519-842-6508
Wayne and Meg Walden: 519-485-4220
Don Bucknell: 519-485-1174
Ken Whiteford: 519-539-5234
Club email: ingersolldistrictnatureclub@gmail.com

Click here to see events we are cross-promoting with Nature London.

November

[I] Nov 26 – Festive Potluck

‘Tis the season to celebrate all the wonders of nature… All are welcome to join in our potluck and meeting at the Ingersoll Seniors Centre, and hear our guest speaker. Bring your own plate, cup and cutlery so we can reduce waste to the landfill. Potluck starts at 1:00 pm. Contact: Sheila

December

[W+I] Dec 28 – Christmas Bird Count at Lawson Reserve.

Started in 1900, the Christmas Bird Count is North America’s longest-running Citizen Science project. Counts happen in over 2000 localities throughout the Western Hemisphere. Join the fun – come out to the Reserve and help with the count. Contact: Don or Terry

Stay tuned: Guided hike at Calton Marsh in late April or early May. Night time is a busy time at the marsh – come hear all the surreal sounds that come with spring’s arrival. Contact: Dave

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Carpool Meeting Location (Municipal Parking Lot behind the Memorial Centre):

(base map courtesy of Google Maps)

Nature London Events

All events held at:
Civic Garden Complex
625 Springbank Dr, London, ON

Watch this space for upcoming events.

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Past Events

January

[P] Jan 18 – “Canadian Rivers through Photographs” by Terry Parker / 7:00 p.m.

As part of our celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, come to the Ingersoll Unifor Hall this Wednesday night to see and hear about great Canadian rivers from local nature photographer Terry Parker.

[I] Jan 28 – Owl Prowl / 6:30 p.m.

Come prowl the Lawson Nature Reserve to look for our elusive night owls. Under Dave Baird’s watchful eye, join us for a sighting of our nocturnal friends. Hot chocolate provided.

February

[W] Feb 18- Pittock Conservation Area/South Shore

Come walk the trails at Pittock Lake. Main trail is paved and easy to hike. Side trails are packed dirt and easy to walk. Paths are through pine/spruce plantations and go up and down gentle inclines.

[P] Feb 23 – “The Messenger” / 7:00 p.m.

In recognition of the Club’s 65th anniversary, join us at the Ingersoll Unifor Hall for a special showing of this very important film which explores the causes of songbird mass depletion and the compassionate people who are working to turn the tide. Go on a visually stunning journey revealing how the issues facing birds also pose daunting implications for our planet and ourselves. Contact: Sheila

March

[W] Mar 11 – Springwater Conservation Area and Maple Syrup Festival / Aylmer Swans

The Springwater Forest is a national rarity, a 150 hectare Carolinian Forest, which contains more endangered species than any other zone in Canada. The forest contains a diverse variety of interdependent animals and plants. March also features the Maple Syrup Festival – great pancakes! Weather and time permitting, a stop at the Aylmer viewing stands to watch migrating swans and geese will follow.

[I] NEW / Mar 21 – Long Point Basin Land Trust / Ingersoll Public Library 7:00 p.m.

Join Lyndsay Shuler of the Long Point Basin Land Trust for an informative hour on land conservation and preservation of our Carolinian Zone landscape, habitats, ecosystems, wildlife, species at risk and cultural heritage. Our Carolinian region is less than ¼ of 1 percent of the whole country’s land mass yet is home to more species than most other parts of Canada.

Mar 22 – Earth Hour

This year’s Earth Hour takes place on Saturday, March 25 at 8:30 pm. For more information about how you can take part, visit https://www.earthhour.org/

Visit Earth Hour 2017’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/245738609170454/

No matter where you are in the World, there are Earth Hour events taking place near you, visit http://www.earthhour.org/map to find a local event.

Cancelled – Mar 25 – Winter Kid’s Day at the Lawson Nature Reserve

We’re sorry to have to withdraw this activity – be sure to come to our Frog Watch on April 27th.

Mar 25 – Members Only – Ontario Nature Regional Meeting / 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Otter Valley Naturalists and IDNC host the Ontario Nature South Western Regional meeting at the Ingersoll Seniors Centre (Cami). Attended by Ontario Nature representatives and their SWO member nature group reps, these informative meetings provide an opportunity to share information/updates with each other. Session will be followed by a guided hike at the Lawson Nature Reserve.

April

[W] NEW / [W] Apr 15 – Calton Marsh / 8:00 p.m. at the Marsh [Carpool at 7:00 p.m.]

Join us on a guided tour of Calton Marsh. Night time is a busy time at the marsh – come hear the surreal sounds that come with spring’s arrival. Bring your camera. Limited to 12 participants. Rain date – April 22.

[I] Apr.22 – Earth Day Cleanup at Lawson Reserve

Come help with trail, building and signage maintenance at the reserve. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

[I] Apr 27 – Frog Watch, Centreville Pond / 6:00 p.m.

Sign up for an exploration of Centreville Pond and its many amphibious friends. Led by naturalist Dave Baird, kids big and small will learn how frogs survive the winter and act as beacons for our environment.

[W] April 29 – Van Sittart Trail

This trail loops through hardwood and pine forests. With one long incline, the rest is relatively flat. Great opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy the return of spring!

May

[W] May 13 – Rondeau Provincial Park

Join us on a day’s outing to this world renowned bird watching destination that attracts birdwatchers from across the province and beyond. This is migration season – bird-watching at its best. The park features old growth Carolinian forest along with extensive coastal wetland. Nature photographers are welcome to join us. Departure time: 8:00 am.

June

[W] June 24 – Pinery Provincial Park

Join us when we hike the Pinery to explore its Oak Savanna woodland, some of the only remaining in North America. The park’s unique ecosystem can be explored on trails, beaches or quiet reaches of the Old Ausable Channel. Contact: Meg

See photos from our visit.

July

[I] July 15 – Club Summer BBQ

Join us at Rob and Marilyn Alexander’s, 288 Thames St. S. to celebrate summer and Canada 150 as we exchange stories of favourite Canadian nature destinations. BBQ starts at 4:00 pm. Contact: Rob

IDNC Launches its 4th Annual Photo Contest “Back Roads Oxford”

In celebration of our beautiful county and Canada 150, we invite all photographers to send their best pics of back road nature scenery in Oxford County. Deadline is October 31st, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. For more details, visit our website. Contact: Rob

September

[W+I] Sept 16 – Annual General Meeting

Meet at the Lawson Reserve for an informative walk of the trail, beginning at 3:30 pm. Our AGM takes place at the Ingersoll Seniors Centre at 5 pm with a review the highlights of the year and an opportunity to set ideas for the next. There will be a potluck dinner and all are welcome to join us.

Contact: Sheila

October

[W] Oct 7 – Fungus Walk

Club naturalist will identify fungus on a walk at the Lawson Nature Reserve. The fungi are a separate kingdom of living things, different from animals and plants. A fungus breaks down dead organic matter around it, and uses it as food. Come learn more. Contact: Dave

[W] Oct 21- Beachville Trail

A family friendly trail – explore the ½ kilometre Loop Trail, along with side trails and the observation shelter where you’ll see stunning river scenery, grasslands and a wetlands restoration project. Contact: Meg

November

[W] Nov 4 – Fanshawe Park

The Lake Trail circles the entire Fanshawe Reservoir (20 km). Join us as we walk a portion of the trail, through mature forests and open meadows. Contact: Meg