Saving Lake Sturgeon
2026-01-14 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Detroit)
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.

Monthly Walk
2026-01-18 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-15 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-15 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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Moths
2026-07-08 19:00 - 21:00

Movie Night
2026-08-12 19:00 - 21:00
