Founded 27 years ago, the Mississippi Field Naturalists continue to grow while exploring and learning about the nature that abounds in the greater Mississippi Mills area just west of Ottawa. The club offers its members a wide variety of activities and outings, habitat creation, trail building, citizen science work, environmental stewardship projects along with the publication of their findings and many other volunteer activities.
This year marks the six-year anniversary of their Spring Gathering being held in the town of Almonte, Ontario. This year’s keynote speaker is sure not to disappoint as the club welcomes Jean Lauriault. Jean is a highly decorated researcher as a Monarch Conservation Specialist and Canadian Museum of Nature Associate.
Jean spends most of his time monitoring the activities and habits of Monarch butterflies and aims to share his experiences with attendees at this year’s gathering. Much like the butterfly he studies, Jean often travels throughout Mexico, uncovering their wintering sanctuaries and has contributed heavily to the development of the North American Monarch Conservation Plan.
The gathering is scheduled to kick off this Thursday, May 21st. The evening will feature a full-service banquet, a silent auction fundraiser in support of the Burnt Lands Alvar campaign and of course, the evening's keynote presentation by Mr. Lauriault.
The evening kicks off with cocktails and mingling at 5:30 pm, giving all those attending ample opportunity to meet and greet one another just before dinner is served at 6:30pm. The 2015 Spring Gathering is being held at the Almonte Civitan Community Hall and tickets are on sale for $40/person, but must be purchased in advance.
Stop in the store if you are looking for information or tickets (we have both). Hope to see everyone out to support this great local organization.
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