As field naturalists, we are lucky to have the National Capital Greenbelt close at hand, providing accessible areas of habitat and biodiversity to explore, contributing ecological benefits to our region, and supporting our health and wellness. If you haven’t heard, the first phase of the National Capital Greenbelt Master Plan Review is on now. An [...]
OFNC Point Pelee Excursion – May 6-10, 2026 Update: We are now keeping a waiting list. We have received as many registrants as we have rooms. If you are on the waiting list, don't despair just yet - it is not uncommon for there to be some changes during the registration process and as deposits [...]
Text and photos by Jakob Mueller Recently, a report of a “rattlesnake” in a local greenspace got some media attention. The observer reported that the blotchy snake, when found by her dog, shook its tail and made a sound – as a rattlesnake would – so she urged caution. This was a case of mistaken [...]
We still need your help to protect the Endangered Species Act! Bill 5, which contains a provision to eliminate the Ontario Endangered Species Act, has been referred to the province's Standing Committee on the Interior. The committee has already held one hearing on May 22, and another is set for Monday, May 26. The proposed [...]
On Monday March 4, astronomer and repeat presenter Howard Simkover delivered a special presentation to the OFNC via Zoom on solar eclipses. This is particularly timely as a total solar eclipse will occur on April 8, 2024, across a swath of North America. Locations not too far from Ottawa in Southeastern Ontario will find themselves [...]
by Owen Clarkin, OFNC Vice-President & Chair, Conservation Committee The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club has been tracking Elm Zigzag Sawfly (Aproceros leucopoda) since its recent (2020) detection in North America near Montreal. This includes making the first observations of EZS in Ontario (2020), the city of Ottawa (2021), the state of Vermont (2022), and the city [...]
Update: As of March 14, we have a waiting list. Please follow the information below to add your name, if you would like to be offered a space should one open up. OFNC Point Pelee Excursion - May 10-14, 2023 The Events Committee is pleased to offer the Point Pelee Excursion to registered OFNC members [...]
This Wednesday, March 2, the City of Ottawa’s official recommendation for the Brian Coburn Boulevard extension will be presented to the Transportation Committee. The meeting will begin at 9:30 AM. Staff will be recommending the route known as “Option 7”, despite the serious habitat fragmentation and ecological disruption this would cause in the Greenbelt. This [...]
by Jakob Mueller A proposal to build a six-lane roadway through the Greenbelt is open for public consultation, but only until Friday, 16 July. The City of Ottawa wants to extend Brian Coburn Boulevard across the northern fringe of the Mer Bleue wetland complex (see proposal). Of the various options for this project, the city [...]
For Immediate Release - February 9, 2021 Ottawa, ON – The Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club (OFNC) is urging the City of Ottawa to defer including the proposed Tewin development in the expanded urban boundary, pending further study. On January 26th, a joint committee of Ottawa city council recommended that a 445-hectare parcel southeast of the city [...]
