You’ll find the latest news on events happening in and around Lac Deschênes on this page. Check back often to see what’s happening in your Naturehood!

Nature Canada Events: 

•  Scion City Chase – Saturday July 27th, 2013 from 10am to 4pm

Nature Canada will be hiding at an undisclosed location in Ottawa, ready to test City Chase participants with a physical and humorously educational bird-related challenge. Will you be able to find us?

• Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bikedays – August 18th, 2013 from 9am to 12pm

Stop at the scenic Conroy Island Lookout or along the Parkway to talk to Nature Canada staff about the Lac Deschênes IBA and birds in the area. Grab some free activity books, swag and a water bottle, and learn about birds!

• Nature Canada Engages Ottawa Youth: Naturehood and Guardian of Nature buttons

We are working to connect Ottawa and Gatineau residents to the nature in their own backyard. The “Guardian of Nature” buttons will be a great way to engage youth in the Naturehood program by proclaiming them an “official Guardian of Nature.”

Every week Nature Canada will be at a different park in the Ottawa Region doing outreach with children.

Photo by Alicia Cuzner, taken at the Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bikeday in Ottawa on June 21, 2013

Stephanie Wilson and Alexander MacDonald specie watching at Mud Lake – July 17, 2013

Ottawa Field Naturalist Club Events:

• Alfred’s Birds – Saturday August 3 fom 9:00 am to 12 noon

Meet at the Ultramar gas station on Hwy 17 just east of the village of Alfred at the corner of Peat Moss Road.

We will look for waterfowl and shorebirds at the Alfred sewage lagoons. If time permits we will go to the Alfred Bog boardwalk to look for songbirds.

Leader: Jacques Bouvier and friend.

• Fletcher Wildlife Garden Evening Walk – Tuesday August 6 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Meet at Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Prince of Wales Drive between Dow’s Lake and Baseline Rd.

This is a lovely time to spend in this dynamic urban green space. This general interest walk will feature the garden and its wildlife. Come and discover the diversity of habitats 　binoculars, field guides and a loop (magnifying glass) if you have them, and come prepared for the weather and uneven terrain (sturdy shoes).

Leader: Renate Sander-Regier.

• Rideau River Paddle at Brewer Park – Friday August 9 from 5:30pm to 8:00 pm

Meet at the Parking lot off Brewer Way behind the baseball diamonds.

We will launch at or beside the Brewer Park dock (150 m east of parking lot along footpath). Don’t worry if you need to arrive late: we should be easy to find. Map link:　http://g.co/maps/gzqnw

An after-work paddle on the urban Rideau, visiting remnants of Ottawa’s native habitats including the un-canalized river, riparian forest, little-disturbed islands, riverbank, wetland, and even a bit of Dow’s Swamp. No guarantees that actual plant experts will be on hand, but there is always lots to see. Bring a canoe and a sandwich. Email to　humedgl@gmail.com　if needed to arrange canoe sharing or the 150 m boat-carry etc.

Leader: Hume Douglas.

• Mid-Summer FLora and Fauna – Sunday August 11 from 10 am to 12pm

Meet at the Beaver Trail Parking Lot (P8), off Moodie Dr., south of Hunt Club Rd.

We will explore the deciduous forests and wetlands in this area of the NCC greenbelt. This is a general natural history walk to observe the plants and animals of midsummer.

Leader: Isabelle Nicol.

• Fletcher Wildlife Garden Evening Walk – Thursday August 15th, 2013 from 7pm to 8:30pm

This general interest walk will feature the garden, its native wildflowers and wildlife. Come and discover the diversity of habitats and life to be found in this small urban wild space, and learn about current projects and initiatives.

Meet at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Prince of Wales Drive between Dow’s Lake and Baseline Rd.

Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them, and come prepared for the weather. The event will only be cancelled in heavy rain and/or thunderstorms. Bring water, binoculars and field guides if you like.

Leader: Isabelle Nichol.

• Water Chestnut Pull Days – August 15, 16, and 17 from 9am to 3pm

Come help save the Ottawa River! Volunteers are needed to help remove invasive Water Chestnut Plants from Voyageur Provincial Park near Chute-à-Blondeau, ON.

If getting wet and dirty to save the environment sounds like fun to you, then come out and pull.　 Bring sunscreen, lunch, snacks, plenty of water and extra clothes.　 Also bring your own canoe, kayak or boat (safety equipment). A limited number of canoes may be available on a first come first served basis.

For more information or to register, contact: Jennifer Jung at (613) 674-2825 ext. 223 or jennifer.jung@ontario.ca or darryl.white@ontario.ca

• Shirley’s Bay Birding – Saturday August 24 from 7am to 11am

Shirley’s Bay is perhaps Ottawa’s hottest birding spot year round. This excursion will feature waterfowl and shorebirds, with bonus land birds. Come prepared for the weather.

7:00 am at Lincoln Fields Shopping Centre, northeast corner of the parking lot, Richmond Rd. at Assaly Road near Pizza Pizza. Carpool to Shirley’s Bay　OR　meet at 07:30 am the parking lot at the Ottawa River boat launch at the north end of Rifle (Range) Road.

Leader: Jon Ruddy and friend.

• Great Egret Wednesdays with Le Club des ornithologues de l’Outaouais – Each Wednesday from August 7th to 28th , 2013 from 6:30pm

This activity organized by the COO is for everyone! Meet up at the Deschênes Rapids parking lot (at the end of Chemin Vanier) to observe Great Egrets with birding experts.

For more information visit the COO website.

• Shirley’s Bay Birding with the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club – Saturday August 31st, 2013 from 7am to 11am

Explore Ottawa’s hottest birding spot with the OFNC. See waterfowl, shorebirds and landbirds!

Meet at 7am at northeast corner of the parking lot at the Lincoln Fields Shopping Centre OR meet at 7:30am at the parking lot at the Ottawa River boat launch.

For more information visit the OFNC website.