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Pickering Naturalists was founded in 1977. Dr. J. Murray Speirs, professor of Zoology at University of Toronto and ornithology researcher, lived at Altona Road in Pickering. In the course of his birding, Dr. Speirs met many other birders and nature lovers. His students conducted quadrant studies in his woodlot, and some became inspired with Dr. Speirs’ love of birding. Dr. Speirs was named a Member of the Order of Canada in the year 2000.
A group of interested people felt that a natural history club would address two purposes: first, a congenial club for natural history study and recreation, and second, to provide an environmentalist lobby in the Pickering area. Edgerton Pegg, a Pickering farmer and self-educated naturalist, and Dr. Speirs are considered the club founders. Both are deceased in the last few years.
At present Pickering Naturalists are involved in two conservation issues. The club has made a project of fundraising for Thickson's Woods Land Trust, and has provided support for the Altona Forest Stewardship committee. A few members have been central in the annual Cranberry Marsh Raptor Watch.
The Pickering Naturalists club holds ten evening meetings each year with guest speakers on various nature topics. Recent topics include Bird Portraits in Nature, The Toronto Wildlife Centre, Churchill Gulls, 50 Years of Change in Durham, Australia. A variety of outings is offered, generally on weekends, encompassing birding, botany, hiking, etc. Outings have included Spring Wildflowers, Astronomy Evening, Carden Birding, Toronto Islands Birding, Bird Feeder Tour, Christmas Bird Count and Algonquin Camping. A club newsletter, Pickering Naturalist, is published quarterly, with nature articles and notices of upcoming events. Please follow the links if you have suggestions for or questions about Pickering Naturalist events and publications.
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