Our Mission

Foster awareness, appreciation, and protection of nature in North Durham: Townships of Brock, Scugog, and Uxbridge.

What We Do

We provide educational opportunities and foster awareness of nature, particularly the flora and fauna, as well as earth sciences and astronomy.

We lead and facilitate field trips to learn and experience nature. We promote the protection of nature, biological diversity and sustainability within North Durham.

We carry out projects in co-operation with other community groups, to conserve and protect the environment within North Durham.

Next Meeting

March 24, 2026 - The Hidden Life Around Us with Don Scallen
7pm at Scugog Memorial Library, Port Perry

All around us, some creatures are conducting their lives largely unseen. Who has observed amorous salamanders, piscine stonemasons, or crooning tree crickets?  We are more aware of birds and the larger mammals, but there is a host of animals active underwater or after dark that are seldom noticed.  Others use camouflage to conceal their presence. Come to our March talk to hear Don Scallen share stories and show images about fish, caterpillars and other animals that slip under our radar.

Don is a writer, naturalist, and former president of the Halton North Peel Naturalist Club. He is a regular contributor to an acclaimed regional magazine called In The Hills. https://www.inthehills.ca/author/don-scallen/  and has published two books: Nature Where We Live and Spotted Salamanders and their world”


For more on our upcoming meetings, check out our Talks Page.

Next Outing

March 14, 2026 - Connection to Nature with Games with Ken Kalisch

Come outdoors to connect with nature using our senses and through games and fun activities (best suited for ages 6-11). Themes explored may include plant and animal interactions, Indigenous knowledge, nature art, and mindfulness. You will be invited to make and share cedar tea together (families are responsible to bring their own cups).

Registration is required: to sign up for the walk or for more information fill out this form. For more information on our upcoming walks, check out our Walks Page.
 

Announcements and News

Funding for Youth Nature Camps - Spring Application Deadlines

North Durham Nature has funds available to support local North Durham youth in their teen years to participate in nature camps.  Here are the programs and application deadlines:

  1. Ontario Field Ornithologists - Young Birders Camp (Deadline March 23, 2026) http://www.ofo.ca/content/young-birders/camp
  2. Birds Canada - Young Ornithologist Workshop (Deadline April 30, 2026) https://www.birdscanada.org/discov.../training-and-workshops
  3. Ontario Nature - Youth Summit (Deadline August 2026) https://ontarionature.org/events/youth-summit/

If you know a family that might be interested, check out our Youth Programs page for more details on how to apply for funding.

Volunteer Opportunities

Need a ride to in-person NDN meetings? Can you be a volunteer driver to help others get to in-person meetings?

In order to make our club more accessible for those that don't or no longer drive, we would like to invite people to contact us to sign up--EITHER as a volunteer driver or to inquire about getting a lift.  To make the system flexible and accommodate everyone's busy and unpredictable schedules (and weather conditions!), we would not expect a regular commitment but are willing to organize such arrangements on a month-by-month basis.  Contacting us well in advance of the meeting date will ensure a greater chance of facilitation, and we will do our best to match riders and drivers.

Our club services the Townships of Brock, Scugog, and Uxbridge so if you live in these regions and are interested, please email the NDN admin team at northdurhamnature2@gmail.com.

Please be a Nature Walk volunteer!

Are you interested in helping out with one of our Walks in Nature, either by leading or assisting with a walk on a topic you are comfortable with?  We would love to have you!  In addition, we are always looking for new locations and/or nature topics to explore in North Durham so if you have experience or ideas to share, please contact Derek:  ndnature7@gmail.com.  Thanks!

North Durham Nature Newsletter

Looking for some interesting, local nature content, but you've already finished January's installment of NDN's Newsletter? Well you're in luck! Old copies of our newsletter are now downloadable from our website for your reading pleasure.

Click here to check out seven years of content starting with our very first newsletter back in January 2014, or find the link under the "Friends and Links" tab up in the navigation bar.

Not a club member yet, but like what you see? Become a member to receive our most recent newsletters straight to your email.

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