Essex County Nature

Walk for Denise Hartley
2026-07-16 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Detroit)
The ECFNC will honour the memory of long time member Denise Hartley by visiting the tree recently planted in her honour at Hillman Marsh Conservation Area.
Listen for the frogs and birds singing in the evening as we gather around the tree to reflect on memories of our dear friend, followed by an evening walk.

Jr. Egrets - Bugs and Blooms
2026-07-15 10:00 - 12:00
Join the Jr. Egrets for a fun-filled nature adventure!

Nature guides Jen and Carolyn will lead young explorers through the habitats of Essex County to discover the wonders of the outdoors. From blooming flowers to buzzing bugs and all the surprises in between, kids will experience the rich variety of life all around them. This summer event is perfect for curious minds who love to get outside and connect with nature. Along the way, we’ll nurture a sense of wonder and care for the natural world – because today’s explorers are tomorrow’s nature stewards.

What to Bring:
To help your child stay safe and comfortable outdoors, please make sure they come with:

A reusable water bottle
Sunscreen
Bug spray
A hat for sun protection
Closed-toe shoes suitable for walking on trails
A snack (waste-free if possible)

Moth Madness with Mark Nenadov
2026-07-08 19:00 - 21:00
Gather around like a moth to a flame as Mark shares his knowledge and passion for moths. Moths are an often overlooked overnight visitors but their diversity and abundance make them worthy of our attention.
Mark Nenadov is an enthusiastic amateur naturalist who has been exploring Essex County’s natural areas for most of his life.
He lives in LaSalle, Ontario with his wife and three kids aged 10-14. He’s a software engineer by day, and spends a lot of morning and evening time going on hikes.
He’s the most active iNaturalist user in Essex County (with nearly 30,000 observations!)

Butterfly Committee
2026-06-10 19:00 - 21:00
Warmer weather has arrived and with it our other colourful winged friends, butterflies!
Not only are butterflies beautiful, they are vital to ecosystems as key pollinators, food sources for wildlife, and critical environmental indicators that signal ecosystem health. They aid plant reproduction, supporting biodiversity and aiding natural pest control.
The butterfly committee will officially introducing itself and their plans for the upcoming year.

PIBO
2026-05-06 19:00 - 21:00

Birding with Pride
2026-05-02 09:00 - 14:30
Birding With Pride at Point Pelee National Park
May 2nd from 9:00am to 2:30pm
Join the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) at Point Pelee National Park for the annual Birding With Pride open house during the Festival of Birds! Join us at the Northwest Beach pavilion for refreshments and to meet fellow members of the birding community, learn more about OFO, and join guided bird hikes. Opening remarks will be made at 9:30am.
This event is a celebration of the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community but all are welcome. We encourage all experiences including beginner and first-time birders to join. Creating a respectful, welcoming, and accessible environment is our priority as we enjoy spring migration at Point Pelee.
Hikes will leave from the Northwest Beach Parking Lot at 10:00am and 1:00pm and will be about one hour long. We recommend arriving about 15 minutes early if you are joining a hike so we can assign groups to leaders. OFO will have a table set up with refreshments in the Northwest Beach pavilion from 9:00am to 2:30pm so stop in for a visit at any time!
As in previous years, this event is a fundraiser for Trans Wellness Ontario and their invaluable work in the community. Please consider making a donation at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/144700. We will also be collecting cash donations at the event.

Monthly Walk
2026-04-19 10:00 - 12:00
There are more than 80 km of connected, safe, off-road greenway trails for everyone in the region. This year we are going to give club members a chance to explore as much of them as possible!
Ever wondered what different parts of the trail are like? See flowers in bloom, butterflies fluttering, birds singing and many more creatures running about. This is a great opportunity to check out areas of the trail you are less familiar with.
Our first walk will be held on April 19 at 10am from the Caesars Windsor Entrance (#17). This parking lot is located a short distance east of Walker Road and Essex 8 Road.
Most of the Greenway is a flat, gravel pathway. Although some parking lots have seasonal port-a-johns, not all sections of the greenway have access to washrooms.
See the map for location details

Tremblay Beach Conservation Area
2026-04-11 10:00 - 12:00
Tremblay Beach Conservation Area
10065 St Clair Rd, Pointe aux Roches
Saturday April 11, 10AM
Spring is here!
The club will be journeying out to Tremblay Beach Conservation Area for an early spring outing.
Walk the trails for a chance to see early spring migrants, frogs and turtles that are emerging into the marsh and the trees as they just start to wake up from their winter sleep. The viewing tower provides a great view of the surrounding marsh and Lake St. Clair.

The Bug Variety Show: All about the fascinating world of insects and what entomologists do
2026-04-08 19:00 - 21:00
The Bug Variety Show:
All about the fascinating world of insects and what entomologists do
with Dr. Lauren Des Marteaux,
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, President of the Entomological Society of Ontario
Wednesday April 8, 2026 @ 7PM
Ojibway Nature Centre
Insects are the most diverse group of animals on the planet. Despite often being overlooked or dismissed as pests, they are crucial for ecosystems and touch many aspects of our lives – sometimes in ways that might surprise you!
Lauren will talk about the importance of this hyper-diverse group, the most extraordinary fun facts of insect biology, and some of the entomological research happening in Essex County. On the practical side, you will also get better acquainted with insects (both on screen and in person) and learn how to tell them apart from other arthropods.

Monthly Walk
2026-03-15 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-15 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-18 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-21 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-11-16 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-10-19 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-21 10:00 - 12:00
Who doesn’t love options?
If you’re planning on joining us this Sunday, please be aware of the following things: We’ll be exploring Tallgrass Prairie Heritage Park and/or the Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve (y’all get to decide what you’re feeling up to that day) We’ll be meeting at the Titcombe Rd Parking lot off of Matchett Rd. across from the Ojibway Nature Centre (Not Malden… unless you want to start your own mini walk) So maybe you got distracted by the rare wildflowers of Tallgrass Prairie or you find yourself flabergasted at what west & southwestern Ontario looked like thousands of years ago in the Nature Reserve, or you managed to not yell out “Oooh! This is a (insert name of bird, plant or insect here)” every step you take and find time to do both… and that’s why: we love options!
Nature is changing, come see what changes every month at Tallgrass Prairie Heritage Park & Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve!

AGM
2026-03-11 19:00 - 21:00
March is our Annual General Meeting
The AGM gives the chance for the club to update it’s members on the past years business and help shape it’s future.
Review of Financial Statements
These statements are are included for review
2025 AGM Financial Reports
Elect Board Members
Currently the position of President is open. Interested in being a board member? Please reach out for more information.
Vote on Updated Bylaws
The Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA) is the enabling corporate legal framework for nonprofits incorporated under Ontario law, replacing the former Ontario Corporations Act. Essex County Field Naturalists Club falls under this regulatory body. Although the regulations came into effect on October 10, 2024 we are not too late. Amendments have not been made since the club’s original incorporation in 1985. Those by-laws are still valid however a little out of date. Much care and caution was used in the process to bring the club up to date with this new framework.
The board has spent the last year reviewing and updating the bylaws with an aim to align the changes with the requirements of the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA). These bylaws guide how the club operates.
At this years Annual General Meeting (AGM) we will be voting on accepting these new bylaws. We want to ensure our members have ample time to review the proposed changes.
2026 March ECFNC Draft By-Laws are included for review. Please share any feedback or questions.
Bonus Feature: Turtle Conservation Committee Update
Spring is coming and that means the turtles will soon be once again searching for those sunny spots! It may have been a long cold winter but the Turtle Conservation Committee has not been hibernating. They will update club members on all the good work they have been doing throughout the year.
Do you love turtles?
Do you want to know what you can do the help?
We are going to talk turtle, find out what is coming up this year and what plans the club has to help everyone’s favourite reptile. Not your favourite reptile? After this presentation you may just change your mind.

Member Orientation and Social
2026-02-23 18:30 - 21:00
Monday, February 23, from 6:30PM to 9:00PM
Ojibway Nature Centre
Come and join us as we explore the inner workings of the Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club. The meeting will be hosted by the Membership Committee of the Club and will cover the club’s activities, structure, history, and volunteer opportunities. Much of this meeting will be devoted to getting to know other members of the Club, answering questions about the club’s activities, and discussing suggestions for the future.
As seating for this special event is limited, please register by signing up at Eventbrite by Thursday Feb 12. If you have any questions about this event or are not able to register using the Evenbrite link please contact Carl Maiolani @ carlmaiolani@cogeco.ca or by calling him at 519-972-1399.
Pizza and other refreshments will be served at the beginning of the meeting so please don’t be late. This gathering is primarily intended for members who have joined the club within the last few years and want to know more about what we do, but all members are welcome and encouraged to attend. Friends or relatives that are interested in joining the club are welcome to attend as guests.

Purple Martins
2026-02-11 19:00 - 21:00

RESCHEDULED - Saving Lake Sturgeon
2026-01-28 19:00 - 21:00
Olivia Galloway (she/her/hers) is an Aquatic Ecologist who is passionate about species at risk recovery, biodiversity conservation and science communication
One quarter of the world’s freshwater fauna is at risk of extinction, and freshwater fishes face the most threats. Conservation reintroduction programs are a promising approach to restore declining populations of imperilled fishes. Olivia will share how her work supports recovery programs for the threatened Lake Sturgeon, the largest and longest-lived freshwater fish in the Great Lakes that has inhabited these waters for millions of years.

Saving Lake Sturgeon
2026-01-14 19:00 - 21:00
CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER

Olivia Galloway (she/her/hers) is an Aquatic Ecologist who is passionate about species at risk recovery, biodiversity conservation and science communication
One quarter of the world’s freshwater fauna is at risk of extinction, and freshwater fishes face the most threats. Conservation reintroduction programs are a promising approach to restore declining populations of imperilled fishes. Olivia will share how her work supports recovery programs for the threatened Lake Sturgeon, the largest and longest-lived freshwater fish in the Great Lakes that has inhabited these waters for millions of years.

Winter Birds of the Detroit River
2026-01-10 09:00 - 15:00
OFO and ECFNC join together once again for our first outing of the year!

Winter is an excellent time of year to observe waterfowl, gulls and birds of prey that use the open water of the Detroit River. We will start the day at the marina, visit the Little River Corridor, and continue downriver to its end at Ojibway Park.

Be sure to dress for the weather and pack some snacks; bring a scope if you have one.

OFO members can register here. Not an OFO member? Not a problem! All ECFNC members are welcome to attend without registration.

Member Showcase
2025-12-10 19:00 - 21:00
December is our annual member showcase!
Do you have anything you wish to share with the club?
A special talent
A place you’ve visited
Information you would think club members must hear

Let us know so we can out you on the speakers list.

Presentations should be about 10 minutes in length.

Wheatley Harbour Big Sit
2025-11-29 10:00 - 12:00
Gather down at the harbour for a big sit.

This is a great time of year to spot gulls and ducks as they shelter in the safety of the harbour in Wheatley.

You never know what might show up.
Bring a lawn chair, a blanket and a warm beverage.

2025 Annual Dinner
2025-11-08 17:00 - 23:00
ECFNC ANNUAL DINNER

Fall in Point Pelee
2025-10-25 10:00 - 12:00
Fall is a great time to get outside and enjoy the cooler weather
Meet at the tip @ 10AM
Bring a lunch

Nature Conservancy Property Walk
2025-10-09 10:00 - 11:00
NCC Property Tour
Thursday October 9, 2025
10:00AM
Corner of McCormick Side Rd and 6th Concession, Essex
Celebrate the latest conservation efforts of the club with a visit to land purchased on behalf of the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
We are thrilled to be able to contribute funds to this fantastic property that will now be preserved for years to come. This is because of all the hard work of the members of the Heritage Committee, those who help out with our community booths at events and all those who have purchased coffee, mugs and purchased your ticket to the annual dinner! Our legacy of conservation in this area would not be possible without your support.
A cheque presentation and tour of the property will begin at 10AM. Currently there is no numbered address. The tour will start here: 42°04’25.9″N 82°51’08.5″W – Google Maps
Parking will need to be on on McCormick road where you will need to walk to the property entrance. There will be someone at the entrance and at the roadside parking to make it clear where everyone should go.
Light snacks and water refills will be available. Bring your own water bottles. Regular hiking boots are recommended but as always watch the weather forecast and prepare rain boots in the event of inclement weather.

Backyard Bat Accoustic Monitoring
2025-10-08 19:00 - 20:00
The results are in!
We are very excited to share with you the results of the Backyard Bat Acoustic Monitoring project conducted by the Toronto Zoo.
This summer club members volunteered to mount a bat monitoring device that listens for bats on their properties for several nights. A representative from the Toronto Zoo will join us virtually to speak about the project and how our volunteers contributed to a better understanding of bats in Ontario.

Jr Egrets - Birds, Seeds & Leaves
2025-09-20 09:00 - 12:00
Celebrate the sights and sounds of the season with the Jr. Egrets!
As autumn sets in, nature guides Carolyn and Jen will take young explorers on an adventure through the woodlands and meadows of Essex County. We’ll find coloured leaves, search for migrating birds, and see how fall seeds support wildlife and make new plants to support these habitats. Through guided discovery and activities, participants will deepen their connection to the land and the life it supports. Together, we’ll reflect on the changing season and the small but important ways we can care for the world around us.
What to Bring:
To help your child stay safe and comfortable outdoors, please make sure they come with:
A reusable water bottle
Sunscreen
Bug spray
A hat for sun protection
Closed-toe shoes suitable for walking on trails
A snack (waste-free if possible)

Festival of Hawks
2025-09-13 10:00 - 15:00
Visit us at our booth on September 13, for the Holiday Beach Festival of Hawks. We will be there with books, mugs and coffee for sale.
Make your way up to the top of the tower for your best chance to see migrating raptors and many other birds.
Join in as we host a birding hike with our friends from the Windsor Feminist Bird Club @ 11AM.
Always a fun event for everyone!
Event runs September 13 & 14.
ECFNC will be on-site Saturday September 13 only.
