Head-of-the-Lake Pocket Nature Guide
A Nature Guide to the Wildlife of the Hamilton Area
by Laurel McIvor
The Hamilton Naturalists' Club (HNC) has published a 106-page nature guide that describes plants and animals of the Hamilton/Burlington area.
The "Head-of-the-Lake Pocket Nature Guide" is arranged by season and is the perfect companion to traditional field guides for families, educators and naturalists.
Interesting information on both common and rare species of mammals, birds, wildflowers and trees of the Head-of-the-Lake region of Lake Ontario can be found within this book, along with contact information for local organizations involved in environmental conservation and outdoor education.
Produced as part of the HNC's "Nature In Your Neighbourhood" (NIYN) project, this book was written by HNC member Laurel McIvor and contains over 70 drawings by HNC artists including the beautiful cover painting of a White Water Lily by Gayle Hutchings.
NIYN is a three-year HNC community project made possible through a partnership with Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) and financial support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
The Head-of-the-Lake Pocket Nature Guide was printed with the assistance of the Hamilton Conservation Authority and significant funding support was provided by local chapters of the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (Hamilton, Burlington, Dundas/Ancaster and Niagara North chapters).
By bringing information and resources into the classroom, local libraries and other neighbourhood venues, the NIYN project aims to encourage local residents to discover and protect wildlife and natural areas in and around Hamilton.
The contents of the Pocket Guide were developed to support the badge requirements of the 10,000 children/youth involved in the various Scouting and Guiding programs in the Hamilton/Burlington area, and also with the hope that teachers and families will use this book as a resource during trips to local natural areas.
Copies of the Pocket Guide will be provided by the HNC to all Burlington and Hamilton library branches, Guide and Scout resource libraries, and all the school libraries in Hamilton and Burlington.
This publication is available for purchase at the monthly meetings of the HNC and from Hamilton and Burlington bookstores and nature/outdoor apparel retail outlets.
For those Club members who would like to purchase a copy of the Head-of-the-Lake Pocket Nature Guide, but would prefer to pay for it using a credit card, this option is now available via the Hamilton Conservation Authority web site. Visit their Outdoor Shop to place an order: www.conservationhamilton.ca/parks/shop.
Copies are available for interested teachers and Guide/Scout leaders at a reduced price and will be distributed at workshops and other events.
Former HNC President Brian McHattie believes this Club publication will be an invaluable resource for a wide range of ages: "Many people know more about endangered species found in the Costa Rican rainforest than those in their own province. With this Pocket Guide children and adults alike will be able to learn about the plants and animals, both common and rare, that live in their own neighbourhoods within Hamilton and Burlington."
Pocket Guide author Laurel McIvor: "When I was doing the research for this book, I was inspired by the many local wildlife enthusiasts who are themselves captivated by the wonders of nature and keen to share their experiences. I hope that wildlife stories from these residents and the information in this guide encourage many more people to visit our local natural areas and to spend time observing the fascinating plants and animals living there."
RBG's Head of Education, Barb McKean: "Residents of the Bay Area are blessed with a wide variety of habitats accessible on hundreds of kilometres of trails. The Pocket Guide is a wonderful resource for families and educators who want to explore the rich natural world that lies at our doorstep. Seasonal highlights make it easy to use for adults and students alike, and this book provides a good introduction to many of the species whose neighbourhoods we share."
Nature in Your Neighbourhood Coordinator, Marnie Branfireun: "This book will prove very useful as a reliable and accurate guide to local flora and fauna. It brings together in one volume key information that would normally have to be sought out in multiple sources and is written in such a way as to be accessible to many users including teachers, nature interpreters, children and families. If you want a good overview of nature in the Head-of-the-Lake area that also highlights individual species you are likely to find, this is the guide for you."
Copyright © 2006 - 2008 Hamilton Naturalists' Club ... Protecting Nature Since 1919
