YORK SIMCOE NATURE CLUB

Cultivating an appreciation of nature
through learning and action

Our Mission is to:

• promote public awareness of the natural environment within the Region of York and the County of Simcoe

• identify and encourage the protection and preservation of the natural environment to maintain and enhance biodiversity

• educate and inform club members about environmental and natural heritage matters through speakers, outings and related activities

• develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with Ontario Nature and other environmentally focused groups

What We Offer

Monthly Guest Speakers

Members meet the second Tuesday of every month from September to June. Each meeting features a guest speaker. Past topics have included Native Plant Gardening, Nature Journaling, Environmental Ethics and Lake Simcoe Conservation Efforts.

Volunteer Opportunities

The club offers a variety of ways to get involved. Citizen science projects, environmental rehabilitation efforts, conservation awareness or club operation roles are just some of the ways to get engaged in our community.

Nature Outings

Once a month club members are lead on a local guided nature walk at one of the many trails found in our area. Special field trips also occur throughout the season that have members explore unique eco-systems like the Carden Alvar.

Up Coming Events

We greatly appreciate the support of Wild Bird Unlimited Barrie and Wild Birds Unlimited Newmarket in sponsoring our monthly speaker program

September 8th, 2026

Annika Wilcox is a wildlife biologist, ecologist, and environmental educator passionate about Species at Risk conservation, ecological monitoring, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation. She currently is Ontario Programs Coordinator for Wildlife Preservation Canada's Native Pollinator Initiative. Join us Tuesday September 8th for Annika’s presentation Back from the brink: Species at Risk recovery efforts in Ontario.

October 13th, 2026

Teagan joined Ontario Nature in April 2022, after finishing her B.Sc. in conservation biology and evolutionary anthropology at the University of Toronto. She coordinates the province-wide Long-Term Monitoring Protocol for Ontario Snakes, and works on other community science projects, including the recently published Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas and Ontario’s third Breeding Bird Atlas. Outside of work, Teagan loves reading, gardening and spending time outdoors.

November 10th, 2026

In September of 2024, staff Biologist Toby Rowland did a three day trek, by foot and kayak to better understand the challenges animals might face navigating a human-dominated landscape.
This project was inspired by the vision of conservation corridors across the Couchiching region — interconnected natural spaces that allow wildlife to move between parks, reserves, and private lands. The trek explored Little Lake in Barrie to the south end of Copeland Forest.

Partnership with
Ontario Nature

Since 2007 York Simcoe Nature Club has been the steward of the Cawthra Mulock Nature Reserve. In partnership with the land owner, Ontario Nature, our club members continue to take on a variety of conservation projects throughout this 108-hectare property.

Learn More