What We Do

Nature London Indoor Meetings

Nature London conducts indoor meetings from September to April.

Regular indoor meetings combine club business with feature presentations on natural history and conservation.

Birding Wing meetings are for those interested in birds and birding.

When possible, meetings are held at the London Civic Garden Complex on Springbank Drive. The building is wheelchair accessible and offers free parking. The buses that stop near the Civic Garden Complex are No. 5 Springbank for people travelling east/west and No. 10 Wonderland for people travelling north/south. Indoor meetings normally finish by 9:30 pm.

In all cases, meetings are streamed via Zoom and their recordings are available on the Nature London YouTube channel for a few weeks after.

Nature London Outdoor Events

Outdoor events and field trips allow members to observe local and regional natural history with assistance from experienced members. Families with children are welcome on field trips, but pets should be left at home.

Media Channels

In addition to maintaining this website, Nature London publishes a quarterly magazine called The Cardinal, emails a twice-monthly newsletter, and maintains a Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Advocating for Nature

Nature London has a long history of championing causes to preserve our natural heritage to ensure that it is available for the enjoyment of future generations. This advocacy includes the following:

  • Environmentally Significant Areas – Nature London advocates for the preservation and protection of London’s Environmentally Significant Areas (ESA). It participated in updating the Westminster Ponds/Pond Mills Master Plan and the Sifton Bog Master Plan. It continues to engage the City on the Medway Valley Heritage Forest plan. It helps the City and Upper Thames Conservation Authority (UTRCA) monitor the ESAs and provides input for some ESA guideline documents.
  • Environmental monitoring and advocacy – Nature London closely monitors development projects for potential impacts on the natural environment. It also monitors issues affecting Komoka Provincial Park.
  • Donations – Nature London donates to various conservation projects—for example, Thames Talbot Land Trust’s fundraising campaigns.
  • London Environmental Network – Nature London is a member of the London Environmental Network and has an appointed representative who maintains contact between the two organizations.
  • Urban League – Nature London is a member of the Urban League and has an appointed representative who maintains contact between the two organizations.
  • Ontario Nature – A Nature London representative sits on the Carolinian West regional committee. Nature London is one of about 140 member organizations of Ontario Nature (Federation of Ontario Naturalists).
  • Nature Canada – Nature London is affiliated nationally with Nature Canada (Canadian Nature Federation).
  • Thames Talbot Land Trust – Founded in 2000 by members of Nature London, which has a representative on the Trust.

This advocacy used to include the following:

  • London Advisory Committee for Heritage – A Nature London member advocates for natural heritage on this committee.
  • Middlesex County Woodlands Advisory Committee – A Nature London representative sits on this committee.
  • Middlesex Stewardship Council – A Nature London representative sits on this committee.

Public Outreach

Nature London promotes natural heritage in many ways including the following:

  • “Nature in the City” – In cooperation with the London Public Library, Nature London sponsors a 6-talk series in January and February at the Central Library.
  • W.E. Saunders Library and W.E. Saunders Children’s Library – Nature London contributes funds annually towards the purchase of books on natural history.
  • Public Talks – Some members present illustrated nature talks to community groups and/or lead field trips.
  • Awards Banquet – Held in November. Recognizes individuals or groups for significant contributions to the club or the cause of conservation.
  • Christmas Bird Count – London’s contribution to an annual continent-wide survey.
  • Butterfly Counts – In the Skunk’s Misery Forest and Clear Creek official count circles.
  • Baillie Birdathon – Members participate in the Birdathon to raise money for Bird Studies Canada and Nature London.
  • Guide to Natural Areas of London and Vicinity – Lists natural areas open to the public. 5th edition published in 2015.

Revised January 22, 2024, by Glenn Berry