Nature London
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McIlwraith Field Naturalists of London

Guide to Natural Areas

The fourth edition of MFN’s Guide to the Natural Areas of London & Vicinity is on sale. Shirley Lorimer and the eight other members of her committee (along with several people contributing special knowledge) worked for more than a year on re-writing the third edition, published in 1999.

The guide is available from Novacks, Oxford Book Shop, Wild Birds Unlimited, and Featherfields; directly from the editor (e-mail slorimer@execulink.com); as well as at MFN meetings. The price is about $8 from stores and is at a special price of $5 when purchased from MFN at meetings. There is a $2.50 shipping and handling fee for mail orders.

Nature London

Nature London undertakes a variety of projects to promote environmental awareness, enhance habitat and protect natural areas.  The club owns an 11-hectare nature reserve near Delaware.  MFN members participate in the Christmas Bird Count, the annual Butterfly Count and other initiatives which encourage the study of local natural history.

Mailing Address:   Box 24008, London ON N6H 5C4

Email:                    info@mcilwraith.ca

London Nature Line:   519-457-4593

What does Nature London do?
2009/2010 activities include:

 1. General Meetings – 6 per year, in Sept., Oct., Jan., Feb., Mar., and Apr.; usually on 3rd Friday of the month.

 2. Field Trips – Numerous, especially in the spring and fall. Also, cooperative field trips with other field naturalist groups.

 3. Birding Wing – Monthly meetings, in Sept., Oct., Nov., Jan., Feb., and Mar., usually on 4th Friday. Butterflies and dragonflies may be featured occasionally.

 4. The Cardinal – Magazine with scientific and anecdotal articles of local interest, book reviews, program schedules, annual bird and butterfly counts, etc. Four issues per year.

 5. Nature Line – For bird and other nature sightings, and meeting information. Tel. 519-457-4593.

 6. Awards Banquet – Held in November. Recognizes individuals or groups for significant contributions to the club or the cause of conservation.

 7. Cedarcroft Nature Reserve – McIlwraith’s 11-ha property south of London. Open to members.

 8. Christmas Bird Count – Annual; part of continent-wide survey. Followed by potluck supper.

 9. Butterfly Count – In the Skunk’s Misery Forest area, usually on first Sunday in July. Followed by potluck supper.

10. Environmentally Significant Areas – The MFN participated in the recently completed Westminster Ponds/Pond Mills Master Plan and the Sifton Bog Master Plan.

11. Guide to Natural Areas of London and Vicinity – Lists areas open to the public. 4th edition published in 2007.

12. SwiftWatch – MFN members count Chimney Swifts entering London chimneys during summer breeding and fall roosting before migration.

13. “Nature in the City” – In cooperation with the London Public Library, the MFN sponsors a 6-talk series in January and February at the Central Library.

14. W.E. Saunders Library and W.E. Saunders Children’s Library – MFN contributes funds annually towards the purchase of books on natural history.

15. Donations – The MFN donates to various conservation projects (e.g., Thames Talbot Land Trust’s Joany’s Woods Campaign; Long Point Basin Land Trust’s Arthur Langford Nature Reserve Campaign; UTRCA’s Community Forestry Program).

16. London Advisory Committee for Heritage – A MFN member advocates for natural heritage on this committee.

17. Urban League – A MFN representative sits on the Board of this umbrella organization.

18. Middlesex County Woodlands Advisory Committee – A MFN representative sits on this committee.

19. Middlesex Stewardship Council – A MFN representative sits on this committee.

20. Ontario Nature – A MFN representative sits on the Carolinian West regional committee. The MFN is one of about 140 member organizations of this federation.

21. Nature Canada – The MFN is affiliated nationally with Nature Canada (Canadian Nature Federation).

22. Thames Talbot Land Trust – Founded in 2000 by members of the MFN, which has a representative on the Trust.

23. Environmental monitoring and advocacy – The MFN closely monitors any potential environmental impacts of development projects in the City of London, and advocates for preservation of Environmentally Significant Areas within the city. In 2007-2008, the MFN called for maximum protection for Komoka Prov. Park under the proposed new Management Plan, and submitted comments on the Plan to staff of the MNR – Ontario Parks.