Founded in 1953, Willow Beach Field Naturalists brings together nature lovers to explore, enjoy, and learn more about Northumberland County’s diverse natural environment and to encourage its preservation. Visit our archives to read documents about our history.
We’ll keep your minds busy and your interest piqued through guided outings, monthly meetings with expert presentations, and opportunities for involvement in conservation projects and wildlife monitoring.
Willow Beach Field Naturalists is also your gateway to the knowledge, activities, and work of the many other nature groups in Ontario and Canada, including our parent body Ontario Nature. Join us at our next meeting to find out more.
Member Benefits
Monthly Meetings: Join us on the last Friday of each month from September to May for club news and bird sightings, networking, and expert presentations on subjects ranging from nature photography and fish conservation to dragonflies in love. Check the Speaker Schedule.
Online: In addition to this website and photo galleries, you can visit our Facebook page to find the latest announcements, news, sightings and activities of interest from other nature groups.
The Curlew: Published 6 times a year, The Curlew is our club newsletter and is available by mail, email or online at our website. You’ll find illuminating articles, info on wildlife sightings and astronomy, as well as details about upcoming events and activities.
Outings: Watch migrating birds, walk through restored habitat or examine unique flora and fauna. These are the types of outdoor activities you can participate in to enjoy our natural areas, share experiences and learn through observation. Visit the Outings page for more information.
Scholarships
As a member of Willow Beach Field Naturalists (WBFN), you are supporting public education and the development of local, young naturalists through The WBFN Scholarship and the Annual School Awards Program, and by encouraging participation in the Ontario Nature Youth Summit. The Awards Page has forms for applications and reports on past award winner.
Science & Conservation
Take your love of nature a step further by participating with other members in a range of science and conservation programs, including:
●Christmas and summer bird counts
●Bioblitz surveys
●Forest Bird Monitoring Program
●Tallgrass prairie restoration
●Marsh Monitoring Program
●Monarch butterfly tagging
●and more
Other Opportunities: Get more involved with Willow Beach Field Naturalists by applying for positions on the executive, sitting on committees, giving a presentation, leading an outdoor session, or helping out in other ways.
Projects
When you join the Willow Beach Field Naturalists, you are joining a club that has led the way in habitat preservation in Northumberland County. Here are some of the ongoing projects we helped initiate:
Peter’s Woods. Named in honour of area naturalist A. B. (Peter) Schultz, these woods are the only example of intact old-growth hardwood forest on the Oak Ridges Moraine. Located north of Centreton, Ontario, the reserve was purchased by the province, with our financial assistance, and is maintained by us.
The Northumberland Land Trust. Created by the WBFN and incorporated in 2003, the Trust works to preserve the natural heritage around us. It now manages six properties comprising over 190 hectares.
Carr’s Marsh. Located between Port Hope and Cobourg, this provincially significant wetland was purchased with financial assistance from WBFN, and is now maintained by the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority.
Thickson’s Woods. This is the last remnant of old-growth white pines on the north shore of Lake Ontario. WBFN contributed to the purchase of both the woodland and the meadow area north of the woods. The reserve is managed by the Thickson’s Woods Land Trust.
Lone Pine Land Trust. Founded by a WBFN member, the 40 hectare Lone Pine Marsh provides a safe haven for waterfowl, wildlife and wetland vegetation. This land trust focuses on the Cold Creek watershed north of Brighton, and now protects four additional tracts of land.
Willow Beach Field Naturalists 