Getting wild in the Forest City
A six-part series of talks by
Nature London is showing
Londoners the importance of protecting
and preserving the wilder
citizens of our city, from backyard
birds to beavers and turtles, not to
mention all sorts of plant life.
The goal of these Nature in the City talks is to make "everybody in London more familiar with the natural environment, with the hopes that they will thus figure out how to protect it," said Pat Tripp, a member of Nature London and one of the organizers of the program. Nature London hopes to inspire people to "individually, collectively and politically" take action on issues local flora and fauna are facing.
This is the eighth year Nature in the City talks will be presented. Last year saw an average of 300 audience members per event.
Each of the six talks will be given by a local expert showing a highly visual PowerPoint presentation. "Turtle Tales will be particularly good because Will Lyons has spent a lot of time on his stomach recording local turtles, filming them," said Tripp. Lyons is a keen observer who will give attendees on February 5 a first-person view of local turtles.
"Nature in the City is just one of the things that Nature London does," Tripp said. "Nature London is the local naturalist group and … has its own meetings throughout the year and ... (makes) efforts to protect nature." The group meets to discuss environmental issues and take field trips, and there is a special birding wing of the organization for people interested in our fine feathered friends.
The Nature in the City series of lectures is sponsored by Nature London and the London Public Library. Each of the six lectures will take place at the Wolf Performance Hall in the Central Library at 251 Dundas St. They run from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Tuesday from January 15 to February 26 and are free to attend.
Check out naturelondon.ca for more information on Nature London.
The Nature in the City series of talks presents a sampling of London's wild species and the places they call home.
JANUARY 15
Urban Beavers: Admirable Engineers or Annoying Nuisances?
Outdoor educator Tom Purdy explains how local beavers make a living and provides insight into the ways of these enterprising but not-always-welcome neighbours.
JANUARY 22
Ferns and Their Allies: Feathery and Fascinating
Western University botanist Jane Bowles describes local fern species and reveals the secrets of this ancient group of flowerless plants.
JANUARY 29
Backyard Birds: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
Local birder Gail McNeil reviews the roster of potential visitors and offers practical tips for attracting migrant and resident avian guests to your yard.
FEBRUARY 5
Turtle Tales: Tracking an Elusive Quarry
Will Lyons, teacher and turtle fan, slithers through mud, water and undergrowth to encounter the private lives of London's turtles. He shares his adventures and amazing video footage.
FEBRUARY 12
Green Roofs: A Cool Overhead Trend
Kees Govers of LiveRoof Ontario explains the rationale, benefits, challenges and how-to's of transforming urban roofs into cooling oases where growing things reign supreme.
FEBRUARY 19
Westminster Ponds: Legacy of Glaciers
Naturalist Dave Wake introduces London's largest natural area, the 250- hectare Westminster Ponds — Pond Mills Environmentally Significant Area. It features a rich history, woodlands, meadows, unusual species and more.
The goal of these Nature in the City talks is to make "everybody in London more familiar with the natural environment, with the hopes that they will thus figure out how to protect it," said Pat Tripp, a member of Nature London and one of the organizers of the program. Nature London hopes to inspire people to "individually, collectively and politically" take action on issues local flora and fauna are facing.
This is the eighth year Nature in the City talks will be presented. Last year saw an average of 300 audience members per event.
Each of the six talks will be given by a local expert showing a highly visual PowerPoint presentation. "Turtle Tales will be particularly good because Will Lyons has spent a lot of time on his stomach recording local turtles, filming them," said Tripp. Lyons is a keen observer who will give attendees on February 5 a first-person view of local turtles.
"Nature in the City is just one of the things that Nature London does," Tripp said. "Nature London is the local naturalist group and … has its own meetings throughout the year and ... (makes) efforts to protect nature." The group meets to discuss environmental issues and take field trips, and there is a special birding wing of the organization for people interested in our fine feathered friends.
The Nature in the City series of lectures is sponsored by Nature London and the London Public Library. Each of the six lectures will take place at the Wolf Performance Hall in the Central Library at 251 Dundas St. They run from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Tuesday from January 15 to February 26 and are free to attend.
Check out naturelondon.ca for more information on Nature London.
The Nature in the City series of talks presents a sampling of London's wild species and the places they call home.
JANUARY 15
Urban Beavers: Admirable Engineers or Annoying Nuisances?
Outdoor educator Tom Purdy explains how local beavers make a living and provides insight into the ways of these enterprising but not-always-welcome neighbours.
JANUARY 22
Ferns and Their Allies: Feathery and Fascinating
Western University botanist Jane Bowles describes local fern species and reveals the secrets of this ancient group of flowerless plants.
JANUARY 29
Backyard Birds: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
Local birder Gail McNeil reviews the roster of potential visitors and offers practical tips for attracting migrant and resident avian guests to your yard.
FEBRUARY 5
Turtle Tales: Tracking an Elusive Quarry
Will Lyons, teacher and turtle fan, slithers through mud, water and undergrowth to encounter the private lives of London's turtles. He shares his adventures and amazing video footage.
FEBRUARY 12
Green Roofs: A Cool Overhead Trend
Kees Govers of LiveRoof Ontario explains the rationale, benefits, challenges and how-to's of transforming urban roofs into cooling oases where growing things reign supreme.
FEBRUARY 19
Westminster Ponds: Legacy of Glaciers
Naturalist Dave Wake introduces London's largest natural area, the 250- hectare Westminster Ponds — Pond Mills Environmentally Significant Area. It features a rich history, woodlands, meadows, unusual species and more.
