Bird Friendly City is a national campaign, led by Nature Canada, which aims to create safer conditions in cities and towns across Canada for our bird populations by focusing on three main aspects: addressing and mitigating threats, restoring and protecting natural habitat, and conducting outreach, education and public mobilization.

We have developed a list of actions that aim to address all the threats birds face in our urban environments, as well as a certification standard to assess the bird friendliness of a city! 

To ensure that we are working towards improving conditions for birds, and by extension nature, we are partnering with local nature groups and developing coalitions (bird teams) to turn our cities into Bird Friendly Cities. 

We are aiming to certify at least 30 eligible cities as Bird Friendly Cities by World Migratory Bird Day 2022! 

Interested in working with us and making your city safer for birds? We would love to hear from you! Reach out to Aly Hyder Ali, Urban Nature Organizer at ahyderali@naturecanada.ca.

NatureHood is a Nature Canada initiative that works through our network of partners to connect young people in nature in their neighbourhood and nearby Migratory Bird Sanctuaries and National Wildlife Areas through nature-based programming opportunities. 

The program’s growth focuses on engaging racialized communities through new partnerships in an effort to break down barriers that exist to accessing the benefits of nature. As we grow with focus, we have been thrilled to welcome four new partnerships this year: Green Ummah, Trails Youth Initiatives, Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre, and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s Beyond the Park program. Learn more about the work our NatureHood partners are doing here. 

Interested in being a part of the movement towards more equitable nature-based programming? Reach out to Camille Koon the NatureHood Organizer at ckoon@naturecanada.ca! 

Webinar Alert from Nature Canada: 2 billion trees – Hope for nature and the climate? Canada continues to record high rates of forest loss resulting in dramatic declines in biodiversity and worsening impacts of climate change. The federal government’s commitment to plant 2 billion trees (2BT) by 2030 has tremendous potential to help restore degraded forest ecosystems in rural and urban areas, helping to achieve Canada’s important biodiversity and climate goals. Join us for a free webinar hosted by the Sustainability Network on December 15, 2020 from 1 – 2 p.m. EST to learn more about the federal government’s 2BT initiative, challenges, and opportunities. Register at https://sustainabilitynetwork.ca/nature-canada-2-billion-trees/

For the fourth year in a row, the Ingersoll District Nature Club enthusiastically sponsored two Ontario youth to participate in the Youth Summit for Mother Earth, organized by Ontario Nature.  The 2020 Summit was held virtually from August 22-September 19, 2020.

The Youth Summit allows for outreach and connection to peers with similar interests – to forge new friendships with like-minded souls, to glean valuable knowledge, and to express their own creativity.  It also provides opportunity for those young people living in urban areas to experience nature first-hand. 

Overall, 92 youth, aged 14-20, and 11 youth mentors, aged 21-27, from over 50 communities from across Ontario took part in the Summit.

All had the pleasure of learning from experts and knowledge keepers in numerous workshops:

• Treaties and Indigenous politics
• Environmental policy
• Navigating activism and eco-anxiety
• Grant writing
• Learning from industry professionals
• Biocultural diversity
• Power to affect change
• Manoomin (wild rice) and Indigenous food sovereignty
• Biodiversity and the intersection of Indigenous and western sciences
• Traditional medicine
• Importance of water and interconnectedness

Those youth and mentors in attendance participated in virtual discussions and youth-led sessions on baaga’adowewin (the sport of lacrosse and its importance to Indigenous peoples), culture humility, learning Inuktitut, youth advocacy, nature dance class, and story sharing. They also participated in challenges that gave them the chance to get out into nature and connect with peers through art installations and medicine pouch creation. There was also an opportunity to work with peers and learn from one another in developing leadership and event planning skills. The keynote speaker, Chief Dana Tizya-Tramm, shared his story of activism and taught the importance of youth becoming involved in their passions.

Ontario Nature hopes 2021 will be the largest summit yet, to be held September 10-12, 2021 at YMCA Geneva Park. While the hope is to host an in-person gathering next year, the situation with COVID-19 will be closely monitored and the guidance of health officials will be followed to determine the format of next year’s event.

Ontario Nature is to be applauded for their work in ensuring the next generation of nature enthusiasts and environmentalists are educated in the importance of preserving our natural world.

Thanks to the 10 volunteers who came out to clear trails following late November’s wind storm. Many trees came down and there was significant work to do. There are 2-3 trees left to remove this week (currently roped off). Anyone using the trails should do so with caution for now. Special thanks to our mystery volunteer who cleared the trails mid week to ensure public safety.

More boardwalk has also been removed. Watch for exposed tree roots when walking.

Click here to read the letter, signed by 96 organizations, including the Ingersoll District Nature Club, that was sent to The Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, to express opposition to the use of Ministerial Zoning Orders (MZOs) to over-ride policy protections for Provincially Significant Wetlands (PSWs) in Ontario.

Thanks to the nine volunteers who helped start the dismantling of the boardwalks at the Lawson Nature Reserve on Saturday, October 31, 2020. A little muscle and teamwork and half the east side was deconstructed and part of the west. Both trails are decommissioned at the request of Ontario Nature due to safety concerns. Weather and increased use took their toll this year. New trails will be established next year. The bridge also was under repair. Ingersoll District Nature Club depends on volunteer hours to maintain the reserve for all to enjoy. Anyone willing to help would be warmly welcomed.

On the sunny, but brisk, afternoon of October 3, 2020, Ingersoll District Nature Club (IDNC) membership took part in our Annual General Meeting at the Lawson Nature Reserve.  Business was conducted, followed by a walk of the nature reserve to enjoy the property and review the current state of our boardwalk system.  Boardwalks are in disrepair and are not suitable for walking.  At the request of Ontario Nature, both boardwalks are closed for the foreseeable future.  You may walk on either side, close to the existing boardwalk, if you wish to traverse the entire pathway.  You will also notice a new sign at the entrance, identifying the property as the Lawson Nature Reserve.  This was designed by Ontario Nature and IDNC was happy to have it printed and installed.

AGM Update Items:

Following the meeting we have a revised executive committee.  Please note the following:

• President – Peter Krats
• Past President –  Sheila Fleming
• Vice President – Rob Alexander
• Treasurer – Phil Howard
• Secretary – Meg Walden
• Member at Large – Terry Parker
• Membership Outreach – Deb Bomans

NOTE:  During the fall we typically undergo our membership renewals – this year we ask that you forward your membership cheque (we are only able to receive cheques at this time) to Phil Howard, Treasurer, at the following snail mail address.   A tax receipt will be issued and returned via Canada Post.

Phil Howard, 54 Laurel Crescent, Ingersoll  N5C 3S4

As a reminder, Family Memberships continue to be $25; Single Memberships $15.   These funds help with upkeep at the Nature Reserve and with feeding the birds.  Donations above and beyond are also gratefully accepted.  Please note that fundraising is required for all of the upkeep at the Reserve and all maintenance / stewardship activities are volunteer driven.

Activities will continue to the end of the year, and will be followed by outdoor excursions only into 2021.  As a result of COVID-19, any indoor activities are on hold.  We hope to resume our lecture series at the Library in late spring of 2021 if allowed.

2020 Activities:

October 17^th – Hickson  Trail – 9:00 a.m. meet at the carpool for directions.  Because of COVID, we will not carpool but drive separately.  Physical distancing will take place on the walk.

October 31 – Lawson Nature Reserve – Salamander Boards – 9:00 a.m. – any member welcome, as Ontario Nature takes us through board set up and monitoring protocols.

November Festive Social – is cancelled at the Seniors Centre.  Date to be announced for a “winter lights walk” through downtown Ingersoll and parks – late November/early December.  To be followed by hot chocolate and short social gathering.

December 28 – Lawson Nature Reserve – Bird Count – 9:00 a.m. at LNR.  We will assemble for our annual bird count.  No experience necessary – always an interesting time!  Dress warmly.

We will be looking for volunteers to help this fall (before the snow flies) to help dismantle our existing boardwalks.  Please contact Sheila Fleming if you are interested in helping – work crews will be assembled.  Call 519-485-2645.

For any further information, please feel free to contact the following:

Peter Krats – 519-425-0429 / pkrats@uwo.ca

Sheila Fleming – 519-485-2645 / galleryongeorge@gmail.com

Phil Howard – 519-572-3968 / philhoward@rogers.com