Background  

In the spring of 2007, Ontario enacted a new Endangered Species Act. This law became the strongest act in Canada protecting species at risk. The new act provided for a fund of $18 million, to be allocated over 3 years, for public education and protection of species at risk. The Nipissing Naturalists Club was the only naturalists club in the province to submit an application in the first call for proposals.

The Nipissing Naturalists Club has been in existence for more than 30 years. The Clubs objectives are:

  • To observe and enjoy the nature around us, through field trips, meetings and discussions,
  • To stimulate and increase personal and public interest in, and understanding of our natural history,
  • To promote the conservation and wise use of our natural resources including water, woodlands, plants and animal wildlife,
  • To co-operate with other organizations and agencies having the same or similar objectives.

With these objectives in mind, we applied to the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund to create a book and webpage and conduct outreach programs. 

The Nipissing Naturalists Club was successful in its application and has used the funds to create a book entitled: Species at Risk in the Lake Nipissing Watershed. The book is 82 pages, describing 39 individual species that are at risk, extinct or of interest in the local area. The names of each of the species are described in English, French and local dialect Ojibway. 

The book was a collaborative effort of 21 authors and each species is illustrated with photographs. The volunteers have contributed over 400 hours gathering photographs, writing, editing, and organizing material from existing publications and local knowledge. To complete this book, we have worked with the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Nature, Nipissing Forest Resources Management, Nipissing and Dokis First Nation, Canadore and Cambrian Colleges, Guelph and Laurentian Universities and naturalists and ornithologists from Sudbury.

The content of the book will also be available on a web site created and hosted by the Nipissing Naturalist Club of North Bay. This project will allow people to use the information we have created to increase awareness, help educate students, and engage local citizens on the importance of maintaining our natural environment’s diversity. Our Club will be making public presentations on our local species at risk to schools, universities and other organizations.  

SAR book availability:

To receive your copy by mail, enclose a cheque made out to the Nipissing Naturalists Club for $13 ($10 for the book plus $3 postage) to:

Angela Martin, 496 Musky Island Rd., Lavigne, ON P0H 1R0 

Proceeds from the sale of the book go to our Species at Risk Fund

The Nipissing Naturalists Club is made up of a friendly group of people who share similar interests of caring for our environment and the creatures that inhabit it.

At monthly meetings, guest speakers introduce club members to a variety of nature related topics. There are two meetings per month; one addresses general topics and the other focuses on bird watching. Participation at meetings is encouraged, as is sharing experiences and observations that are of interest to members.

For more information: http://www.nipissing-naturalist.com/

Species at Risk website: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/mnr/speciesatrisk/.