NatureCK

05/06/2026

🌿 May Guardian of Nature~~~Rick Gray

NatureCK is proud to recognize Rick Gray as our May Guardian of Nature.

📘 Rick is the author of The Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants of the Southern Great Lakes Region, a practical guide that has helped many people bring native plants back into their landscapes across the region.

🤝 But his impact goes far beyond writing.

Rick is generous with his time and knowledge, regularly sharing what he knows through community talks, volunteer work, and conversations that make native planting feel simple and achievable for everyday people.

🌱 One of the strongest examples of his work is his own property, which he has transformed into a native plant education landscape.

It is a living space where native species thrive together, showing how natural ecosystems can be restored right at home.

👑 And within that landscape, one plant stands out as a true highlight.

The Canada Lily, the queen of his native landscape, reigns in brilliant orange, a striking reminder of the beauty and strength of our native flora.

🌿 For his hands on stewardship, his willingness to share knowledge freely, and the living example he has created through his own native plant landscape, NatureCK is honoured to name Rick Gray our May Guardian of Nature.

✨ Growing wild beauty, sharing knowledge, and letting nature’s queen lead the way.

05/04/2026

💚 A gift that grows and keeps growing 💚

💚 Looking for something meaningful this Mother’s Day

🌱 Give a gift rooted in nature

🌼 NatureCK’s Mother’s Day Gift Certificates can be used exclusively at our Native Plant Sale on May 23 giving Mom the joy of choosing the plants she truly loves

💕

🌿 And here is the beautiful part

💕 Pair it with a homemade planting certificate and plant them together

🌿 You are not just giving plants you are creating a memory
🌼 A moment shared
💚 A garden that grows
🐝 A gift that lasts a lifetime

🐝 Supports pollinators
🦋 Helps local habitats thrive
🌱 Gives back to nature

⚠️ Please note
Gift certificates are only valid for use at the May 23 plant sale

🌱 A simple gift
💚 A lasting impact

👉 Get yours here
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/mothers-day-gift-certificate-for-natureck-native-plant-sale-may-23rd

05/01/2026

Stacey McKellar from Cutie Patootie brings together a love of nature and artistic talent in the cutest NatureCK fundraiser stickers, and this is only a peek at what is available.

These “cuties” are more than just stickers. They are a simple way to support NatureCK while adding a little nature-inspired joy to your day. There is even a colouring book available for all ages.

You can find them at Turns and Tales and Antiquated Joys

📣Now we want to hear from you!

What is your favourite NatureCK “cutie”? 🦋🐞🦆

Tell us in the comments or share a photo of where your stickers have landed.

Let us see NatureCK out in the wild

04/23/2026

PD Day Adventure where curiousity and Observation is built on fun.

Join us tomorrow (April 24, 2026) for some PA Day Fun!

We are hosting a City Nature Challenge event in partnership with Municipality of Chatham-Kent, The Cultural Centre - CK Municipal Museums, St. Clair Region Conservation Authority, NatureCK and Waste Connections of Canada

Where: C.M Wilson Conservation Area
21799 Fargo Road Blenheim, ON
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Drop-In Activities:
🦉Help with iNaturalist and contributing to City Nature Challenge
🐦Guided walk (1-2pm & 3-4pm)
🐝Sign-out for nets, bug viewers, binoculars
♻️Garbage pick-up tools (grabbers, gloves, garbage bags)
🦊Interactive Displays
🦐Dip-netting

*St-Clair Region Conservation Authority will be hosting a PA Day Event at Peers Wetland in Wallaceburg.

04/22/2026

🌎 Earth Day News Break from Crothers Park 💚🐦

As we reflect on Earth Day, we are sharing a truly uplifting story of partnership, care, and community right here in Chatham-Kent.

As you remember, it was a bit of a touch-and-go situation for the beloved Purple Martin house at Crothers Park.

After being found toppled on March 14th following strong winds the night before, the fall of the bird house created an urgent moment for something that has stood for close to a decade or more, faithfully welcoming each season and waiting for the Martins to return from migration.

What followed was a strong example of coordinated community partnership coming together in response.

With support from the Chatham-Kent Municipality Parks Department, Schepens Ltd. (Wallaceburg), Elric, and dedicated volunteers from the community 💚, the response moved quickly and in true collaboration. The pole was repaired, a new and strengthened foundation was installed, and the house was raised back into the sky on April 17th ✨🐦

Each partner played an important and equal role in the restoration:

🥽Jeff Schepens (ER Schepens Ltd, Wallaceburg) for stepping in to repair the pole and helping create a strong, lasting foundation 🛠️

👩‍🌾Jim Pollard (Elric Contractors, Wallaceburg) for the many hours of hands-on work and for coordinating key parts of the foundation build to ensure it was properly set and secure for the future 💪

🌳Rob Abbey from Chatham-Kent Wallaceburg Parks Department, for working within the Parks Department team in supporting and completing the safe reinstallation of the structure 🌿

And the many volunteers, whose time, effort, and willingness to step in made all the difference 🤝💛

Together, this shared effort restored an important habitat for returning Purple Martins.

And in a truly remarkable moment, within about 20 minutes of being raised back into place, a scout arrived, investigated, and moved right in. A living sign that restoration was not only successful, but immediate 💛🐦

This Earth Day, it is a reminder that when coordinated community partnership comes together in care for nature, supported by volunteers and local dedication, restoration happens quickly, and life returns to the skies above Running Creek🌎

04/20/2026

🌿🌼 Our Online Native Plant Sale is NOW OPEN to the public! 🌼🌿

It is time to adopt your plants 💚 Each native plant you bring home is more than just something for your garden. It is a living piece of habitat that supports pollinators, birds and the natural balance of our local ecosystems 🐝🦋🌱

🌿 Preorder now to adopt your plants early
Online quantities are limited and once certain plants are spoken for they are gone so do not wait too long if you have your heart set on something special 🌱

🌼 Prefer to browse in person
Join us on May 23, 2026 where there will be even more plants available to choose from and lots of inspiration to help you find the perfect additions for your space 🌾✨

Every plant finds a home and every home helps nature thrive 💚

👉 Adopt your plants here
https://form.jotform.com/201493701436249

🎉 Giveaway time 🎉
Share, tag a friend, and like this post for a chance to win a native plant of your own 🌿💚

We cannot wait to see what you choose to grow 🌸

04/18/2026

🌿 A Day to Remember Herman Giethoorn 🌿
📅 May 16, 2026

We invite you to join us in celebrating the life and journey of Herman Giethoorn 💚

This is a gentle, informal day in nature, open to everyone in the community who knew and loved him, or who would like to honour his journey.

A day shaped by what Herman held close
🌱 curiosity
🌿 patience
👀 observation
📷 a love of photography
🌲 and a deep appreciation for nature

Come for a moment or stay for the entire day 💚

🌅 Morning Walk & Dedication
📍 Peers Wetlands
🕤 9:30 AM
A peaceful beginning with a short dedication and a walk in Herman’s spirit

🌼 Midday Gathering & Memory Space
📍 Crothers Park
🕚 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
A relaxed space to come and go, share memories, look through photos, and simply be together
🥪 Bring a picnic if you wish

🌿 Afternoon Reflection Walk
📍 Sycamore Woods
🕑 2:00 PM
A quiet walk in nature for reflection and remembrance
⚠️ Registration required
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/a-walk-in-sycamore-woods-to-remember-herman-giethoorn

💚 If you are able, please share this so others who knew Herman, or who would like to honour his journey, can be part of this day

We would be grateful to see you there 💚

NatureCK Team

04/17/2026

April Guardian of Nature

🌿 Todd and Trisha Brown, Stewards of Sycamore Woods 🌿

Todd and Trisha Brown’s deep connection to Sycamore Woods began long before they became its stewards. As a child, Todd grew up near this beautiful bush, spending countless days exploring and playing beneath its canopy. Trisha also developed a love for nature early in life, often wandering through the woodlots of her own neighbourhood.

After their marriage in 1984, an opportunity arose to purchase a home beside this treasured woodland. They embraced it wholeheartedly, drawn to its natural beauty, the wildlife that called it home, and the majestic sycamore trees that defined the landscape.

🌱 Trisha saw the woods not only as a place of personal joy, but also as a living classroom. She began bringing her students to the woodlot to learn, explore, and connect with nature. Her children, Wes and Davis, also grew up alongside the woods, spending their days discovering, learning, and developing a deep appreciation for the natural world.

Before starting these visits, Trisha reached out to Mrs. Mary Puskas, the owner at the time, to ask permission. Mrs. Puskas shared that her late husband, John, would have been deeply pleased, as it had always been his wish that the bush remain untouched, a place for people to enjoy and appreciate.

🌳 Years later, that vision was suddenly at risk. When Trisha learned the land had been sold and was slated to be cleared, she was devastated. Determined to protect the woodland, she began making calls, reaching out to anyone who might help save it. Her persistence led her to Sydenham Field Naturalists, now NatureCK, who shared her concern. Together, with the support of Jim Taylor and other dedicated neighbours, they worked tirelessly to raise the funds needed to purchase and preserve the property.

🍃 Today, under the care of NatureCK, the woodlot continues to thrive. Efforts to restore and maintain its natural state, including planting and thoughtful path clearing, have ensured its beauty endures.

💚 The Browns, along with the Taylors, remain devoted stewards of Sycamore Woods. They continue to walk its trails, finding peace, wonder, and a deep sense of gratitude in all it offers. For Todd and Trisha, this woodland is more than a place, it is a source of lifelong connection, reflection, and quiet joy.