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Guest Speakers: Nature Moncton Members
Subject: Nature Moncton Members Night
Date: Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Church of the Nazarene, 21 Fieldcrest Ave. , Moncton  

Members night is a special night in the annual Nature Moncton calendar where members present short vignettes on a subject of their choice that deals with nature. There are many experiences naturalists have and this is the venue to share them. The topic can be as varied as the presenter wishes from interesting places visited, nature observations, a recommended book, show and tell, skits, poems, songs, etc, etc. The possibilities are endless.

If you have something to contribute for members night, contact President John Foster at 384-7212 or email John at fosterjs@nb.sympatico.ca

Bird Feeding Basics
Saturday, January 21,2012. 1:00 pm -4:00 pm
Tankville School, 1665 Elmwood Dr., Moncton 

Nelson Poirier will give an session on Bird Feeding Basics as part of a Nature Moncton series Saturday, January 21, 1:00-4:00 pm at the Tankville School, 1665 Elmwood Dr., Moncton.

Topics dealt with will include setting the best buffet that will attract the biggest variety of visitors, suggested feeder types with pros and cons, placement of feeders to best protect yet enjoy your visitors presence, getting to know your guests with bird guides/binoculars, the different behavior expectations of your visitors, surprise visitors, placing the "unwelcome" matt out for unwanted visitors, and suggestions on hygiene.

All are welcome. $8 fee to cover costs.

**Field trip coordinator Catherine Johnson has lined up an impromptu field trip.

Join Norm Belliveau, (Cell: 531-5662), and Nature Moncton for an impromptu field trip to the Tantramar Marsh in Sackville this Friday, March 2,from 1pm-6pm. Meet at 12:15 at the north-west corner of the Moncton Coliseum, 337 Killam Dr. Snowy and short-eared owls are possible along with snow buntings, longspurs and other late winter species. Norm Belliveau, aka the Tantramar marsh guru, is intimately familiar with this hot spot and is often successful in locating these sometimes elusive species. As this outing is both weather and road condition dependent stay tuned to the information line for any updates. Dress warmly and bring a snack/dinner.

Binoculars, scopes, boots and a camera are suggested. This outing is open to everyone Nature Moncton members or not. Registration is not necessary. Contact Catherine if more details are needed, via email at:
johnson2@xplornet.com

Owl workshop
Jim Goltz
Saturday, March 17th
10 AM-2 PM at the Tankville School.

Sorry this workshop is full.  We are not able to take any more registratons.

Who gives a HOOT? We do! Although OWLS may be creatures of myth and mystery, some are remarkably commonplace …. if you know when and where to look for them. On Saturday March 17 from 9:45am-2pm at the Tankville school, 1665 Elmwood Dr. Moncton, join Nature Moncton and Dr. Jim Goltz on a workshop journey to discover the fascinating lives of NB owls. Dr. Goltz will review what species of owls have been reported in the province, how and where to find them, how to identify them from their appearance and vocalizations, and information on their biology, including geographic range, diet, breeding and nesting habits, and anatomic adaptations that make them successful predators.   Pre-register with Judi Berry-Steeves at jbsteeve@nbnet.nb.ca or 387-4778 Registration fee $10. ($5 for each additional family member) $5 NM members

Bring a lunch, indoor footwear and friends!  

Nature Moncton Monthly Meeting

Guest Speaker: Émile Gautreau
Subject: Native Culture and Mother Nature
Date: Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Rotary Pavilion, Mapleton Park , Moncton

Émile will be giving Nature Moncton an insight into his native culture and the 
importance of showing respect to all Mother Nature has to offer. Each aspect of nature has a spirit from the tiny ant to the large maple tree. As naturalists we must show Nature respect if we want to learn what Mother Nature has to offer us.

Émile Gautreau from Amherst , Nova Scotia is a Métis elder and a highly- esteemed spiritual leader within his community.  When he was around 23 he went into the far north and the Dene people told him he was one of them. They eventually they made him 
an honorary member of their tribe. They taught him who he was, and taught him the culture of his people.

His career has involved the air force for five years, before going to work for the provincial government for 2 years. This was followed by work with the Canadian Forestry Service involving forest biology and forest botany and etymology. He did this for 15 years and then was ready to learn something else. He transferred from Canadian Forestry Service to Correctional Services Canada. He went into the social work field and eventually became a parole officer until he retired. He was involved with the Department of Culture, Recreation, and Fitness in Nova Scotia , and while there  taught courses in survival, 
woodsman ship, and edible plants for 20 years.

Indoor Field Trip: Pond Life Through a Microscope, Saturday, April 14 1:00 4-pm  

Todd Smith, of the Department of Biology at Acadia University, will lead an indoor field trip to observe the fascinating and incredible diversity of living organisms found in pond water. Individual microscopes, and one connected to a digital projector, will be set up in  the biology lab, room C205 in the Rémi-Rossignol building (also locally know as the Science Building) at the Université de Moncton.  http://www.umoncton.ca/umcm- visiteguidee/, no parking fees on Saturday. 

We  can expect to see representatives from many groups of organisms, including bacteria, algae, diatoms,  flatworms, roundworms, crustaceans and insects. Todd Smith will give a short 20 min. lecture on how to use the microscopes and then have the rest of the afternoon to observe the samples. You may bring your own samples so we can see the diversity in different habitats or gather samples with guidance from the presenter during the field trip on Saturday. Rubber boots and warm gear is suggested. To register contact Judi Berry-Steeves at 387-4778 or email  jbsteeve@nbnet.nb.ca To cover professor Smith’s cost the registration fee is $10 and $5 for additional family members or students.

To bring your own samples an ideal situation is to have a large container, about 30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm, on the shore to receive the samples.  Using 2 L yogurt containers (one can duct tape this to a long pole or shaft of a hockey stick) and drag it lightly along the bottom of the pond to pick up attached algae, plants and detritus where protozoa and invertebrates hide.  Samples can also be taken close to shore, in less than 30 cm of water by leaning over the pond with rubber boots. Take three or four of these samples from different parts of the pond, preferably from areas with different vegetation each time, adding the full contents of the container to the large container on shore.  Be careful not to get TOO much mud, but also careful not to get just water.  Then take a dip net, 20 cm diameter is fine, and sweep for a couple of meters along the bottom of the pond (but too deep into the mud) to get a good sample of larger invertebrates and submerged vegetation that hides them. Take three or four sweeps, adding the contents of each to the large container on shore.  Ideally, at the end of sampling, one has about 8 L or so of water, with some substrate, rotting vegetation, and live vegetation, and if there are macro invertebrates zooming around the sample, it is probably going to yield lots of smaller organisms as well. Sterilizing containers (free of any cleaning product residue)  or refrigeration isn’t required.   Permanent bodies of water (i.e., ones that retain water even in summer) are the most ideal, and the more vegetation that grows in them, the more nutrients they are likely to have, and the higher biodiversity is likely to be present.  Stay away from habitats like reservoirs or quarry lakes, which have much less biodiversity than shallow ponds, the edges of weedy lakes, and permanent ditches.  The greater number of organisms are likely in 15-45 cm of water.

This will be a great hands on opportunity to discover what inhabits our pond environments using the latest in technological lab equipment. Beginners, youth and the curious naturalist are welcome.

Nature Moncton’s April Meeting:
Guest Speaker: Jim Goltz
Subject: Ticks and Lyme Disease
Date: Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Rotary Pavilion, Mapleton Park, Moncton

Ticks and Lyme disease continue to generate considerable media interest and public concern, especially for naturalists and others who love the outdoors. Veterinary pathologist and naturalist, Jim Goltz, will share with you information about what species of ticks occur in New Brunswick, when and where they occur, what threats they pose to human and animal health, how to identify them, what new information has been learned from tick research in the province and how climate change is likely to affect tick populations and increase health risks.