By Chris Hart

The ECFNC is a community based club promoting the excellence and the enjoyment of our local environment. As such, we often give back to those organizations whom align with these beliefs. One such contribution is the Lynda Corkum Essex County Nature Bursary, which is awarded to a Biology graduate student at the University of Windsor. This is a $1000 donation made possible from funds acquired selling the Fish Book. We are pleased to announce that this year’s recipient is Sarah Dobney. 

Sarah is a PhD student studying Savannah Sparrows on Kent Island, New Brunswick. She says “over the next several years, I will travel to this population to investigate how song relates to various aspects of development and reproduction. Specifically, I will test how song influences mate choice, nest-site selection, and parental behaviour. Additionally, I will determine how nestling vocal learning is influenced by adult song density within a nestling’s acoustic environment. I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to conduct field research at this site, and this would not be nearly as possible without the generous support of people like you. Thank you!”

Sarah is an avid birder originally from Long Point. In reaching out to Lynda, Sarah stated “Words cannot express how amazing it is to receive financial and emotional encouragement to continue conducting field research, from someone who has made so many important field contributions herself.”

Congratulations Sarah, and we look forward to hearing more as your research progresses.

Other recent donations by the Club include:

Jan/21 Jack Miner’s Foundation $1000.00  (towards Wall replacement)

July/21 Windsor Essex Community Foundation $300.00 (donation to Managed Fund started by LREG)

April/22 Town of Amherstburg $2000.00 (Map & Grow Tree Planting program – ‘Thank you’ letter included below)

May/22 Weston Park/Little Reg Committee $1000.00 (40th Anniversary Tree Planting)

Heritage Committee

Aug/21-Ontario Nature-$5000.00 (Sydenham Nature Reserve expansion)

 

For more information on these contributions, and/or how to make a donations to the Club, please contact a Club Board member.