ABOUT THE CLUB
York Simcoe Nature Club, formerly known as York-Simcoe Naturalists, was formed in 1999 by a small group of individuals who had a strong interest in the environment and who wanted to share this interest with other people.
The Club has operated continuously since 1999 and has grown from its small beginnings to a membership of over 80 individuals. It is run by an elected executive who is responsible for the various aspects of the operation.
The Club provides a venue for York Region and Simcoe County residents who have a special interest in outdoor recreation and natural history to get together and share ideas, expertise, community projects and local natural history. The Club also serves as a unified voice to constructively influence municipal planning, environmental awareness and environmental protection, particularly locally. In view of the integrated nature of the environment, the Club is also concerned with developments and changes in the natural environment in other areas.
The Club provides a venue for York Region and Simcoe County residents who have a special interest in outdoor recreation and natural history to get together and share ideas, expertise, community projects and local natural history. The Club also serves as a unified voice to constructively influence municipal planning, environmental awareness and environmental protection, particularly locally. In view of the integrated nature of the environment, the Club is also concerned with developments and changes in the natural environment in other areas.
Members of the Club benefit through:
Friendships formed with others of like interest |
Exchange of local sightings of fauna and fauna |
Knowledge gained from unique guest speakers |
Although York Simcoe Nature Club is an independent club, it is a member of Ontario Nature's 150-plus Nature Network, Neighbourhood Network, Lake Simcoe Stewardship Group and Ontario Greenbelt Alliance.
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Monthly MeetingsMembers meet the second Tuesday of every month from September to June. Each meeting features a guest speaker who informs and educates members on a variety of topics related to the environment.
As well as a guest speaker, each meeting includes a sharing of local observations of flora and fauna, a discussion of local issues and events, and refreshments. The meetings are every second Tuesday of the month from 7:30 until 9 p.m at the St. James Apostle Church in Sharon. |
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OutingsAt various times over the year the Club organizes nature walks for members and friends. These walks provide an opportunity not only to enjoy the outdoors, but also to learn about nature as members share their specific skill, be it share their specific skills, be it plants, insects, birds or fungi. In the past, our walks have been at:
• Cawthra Mulock Nature Reserve • Scanlon Creek Conservation Area • Parts of the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail • Parts of the Nokiidaa Trail • Carden Alvar |
SurveysThe Club provides opportunities for members to participate in Citizen Science. Some of the surveys in which members have participated include:
• Christmas Bird Count • Swift Watch • Baillie Birdathon • Invasive Species Inventory at Cawthra Mulock Nature Reserve • Bioblitz at Scanlon Creek Conservation Area • Backyard frog count • Breeding Bird Atlas • Feeder Watch |
Public ConsultationYork Simcoe Nature Club provides comments on specific projects and legislation as pertinent to the natural heritage of not only the northern portion of York Region and the southern part of Simcoe County, but also other areas of the Province when relevant. Undertakings for which comments were provided include:
• Bathurst Street widening north of Green Lane • York Durham Sewer Proposal • Ontario Government Integrated 5 Year Review of 4 Provincial Planning Acts • Highway 404 Extension in conjunction with South Lake Simcoe Naturalists • Endangered Species Act Rouge National Park |
Environmental RehabilitationFrom time to time, the Club is asked to provide volunteers for various rehabilitation projects. Some of the projects for which members have volunteered include:
• Tree planting at Cawthra Mulock Nature Reserve • Clean-up of stream in Holland Landing • Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup in East Gwillimbury |
Stewardship
York Simcoe Nature Club is the steward of the Cawthra Mulock Nature Reserve. The Club has held this responsibility since 2007 under various agreements with Ontario Nature, the owner of the land.
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Special ProjectsEvery year the Club initiates a special project for which money is raised through donations. For the last few years, the special project has been to raise money to send a young person to the Ontario Nature Youth Summit. The Summit is a weekend experience for about 100 youths to learn about nature and network with others of like interest.
In past years, special projects have also included the following:
• The Owl Foundation • Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre • Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge • Cawthra Mulock Nature Reserve |
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Be our guest
We invite you to come to one of the monthly meetings if what you have read is of interest. Guests may attend one free in-person meeting before being asked to join as a member. We meet every second Tuesday of the month between September and June at the St. James Apostle Church in Sharon.
Feel free to email us for more information at
[email protected]
Click the link bellow to find out more about membership.
Feel free to email us for more information at
[email protected]
Click the link bellow to find out more about membership.