In March, the Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club held their Annual General Meeting. Besides taking part in another edition of Steve Marks’ super stumper member mega club quiz, we also voted on the 2020 Executive committee. Since then, Covid19 has prevented any formal meetings of the club, and as such, prevented any chance for club members to get to know those individuals who work behind the scenes to make the ECFNC as great as it is. To give you a brief glimpse at those members, and to provide a face to the names, please see the short bios and photos below. If you have any questions about the club, the roles of the Executive (including what they do, or how to get involved), or anything nature related, please don’t hesitate to contact them, or introduce yourself once regular meetings resume.

I first would like to acknowledge those members of the previous executive who will not be returning to their roles. Carl Maiolani has stepped down as Membership Secretary, so he will no longer be the one harassing you to pay your dues (well, not formally). Carl has remained on the Membership committee and will hopefully continue to provide excellent weather for future club events. Also, Steve Marks has stepped down as Vice President of the Club due to upcoming commitments. We wish Steve all the best in his future endeavors, and we look forward to a very entertaining presentation upon his return. Thank you Carl and Steve for your contributions.

ECFNC 2020 Executive Members

Paul Pratt – President

Paul is the Club’s fearless leader

I have been exploring the natural history of the Essex region since my first blue racer hunt 50 years ago. I retired from the City of Windsor in 2014 after a long career as the naturalist at the Ojibway Nature Centre.

Kory Renaud – Vice President

Kory is the new VP and a committee member for the Junior Egrets, the Egret, and he runs the Club’s social media and website.

My name is Kory Renaud and I’ve been a member of the Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club for over 10 years. I have served on the board for a number of these years. I’m an avid birder so you’ll probably run into me at Holiday Beach and Point Pelee or many other hotspots in the area. As a father of 2 young nature-loving girls, I’m also an active committee member for the club’s Junior Egrets program. 

Jennifer Nantais – Chair Person

Jen is the Club’s Ojibway liaison and Climate Change representative.

My name is Jen and I have had the fortunate opportunity to share my passion for the natural world through my work at Ojibway Nature Centre. I love all living things, especially the “creepy” ones that are often feared or misunderstood, particularly those with scales or many legs. I am also a staunch environmentalist with a focus on conservation and sustainability. 

JoAnn Grondin – Secretary

JoAnn is the coordinator of the Heritage committee

Hi! My name is JoAnn Grondin and I have been a member of the ECFNC since 1996.  I have learned about plants, trees, insects, etc. since I joined.  My background is in social work and in clerical work.  I have an interest in nature and the environment.  I like to walk in wooded areas, bird some and I am good at taking minutes and organizing events. There is a place here for everyone. Come join us!

Cathy Lapain – Treasurer

Cathy is a member of the Heritage committee

Hi, my name is Cathy, I have been the Treasurer/Bookkeeper for the club since 2012, my hobbies are birdwatching, acrylic painting, all kinds of crafts and photography.  I enjoy getting outside and being amongst the natural beauty of our area. I have been a bookkeeper for 40 years, so the Treasurer’s job comes naturally to me. 

Ellen van Wageningen – Membership Secretary

Ellen is a member of the Heritage and the Website/Social Media committee. If you get an email from the Club, it’s from Ellen!

Ellen is a member of the Heritage and the Website/Social Media committee. If you get an email from the Club, it’s from Ellen!

I’m proof you don’t have to be a nature expert to get involved with the Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club. I became a member in 2019 because I love being outdoors and want to learn more about our natural surroundings. I have since joined two committees and taken on the role of membership secretary. It has been a great way to spend time with our club experts and absorb a little of their knowledge. I’m the person to contact if you have information to share with other members or want to pay your membership dues. I look forward to meeting more of you in the coming year.

Board of Directors

Dave Kraus

Dave is the Club’s Canada South Land Trust Liaison, and also a member of the Heritage Committee. See Dave if you’d like to purchase a Fish Book

Hi, I am Dave Kraus.  I have been volunteering on the executive of the ECFNC for many years now, after a friend (Gerry Waldron) invited me to attend a meeting as I was starting out a career as a wildlife biologist.  I was immediately nominated (coerced) to be vice president and have never left, as I enjoyed the club’s activities, members and causes.  I did eventually serve as president for several years as well.  I am currently a science and biology teacher at Essex District High School.  I have been actively creating natural wildlife habitat on my 37 acre property on Pelee Island and my 55 acre property that I live on in the Leamington area for many years.  Both properties have demonstrated that if you create diverse habitats, lots of wildlife will move in if it still survives in nearby areas.  I have also been taking groups of about 20 ECFNC members to Pelee Island the first weekend in May for the last 25 years and that is something I still look forward to each spring !

Gina Pannunzio

Gina is the Club’s liaison for ERCA and the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup.

Hey there, my name is Gina Pannunzio and I am a current board member with the Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club. I work in conservation in Windsor-Essex and have a wide range of environmental sector experience including management, education and outreach and large landscape to backyard restoration.  I am passionate about conservation and protecting the natural resources in Windsor-Essex. We are so lucky to be living in the Carolinian Life Zone with such a wide range of habitat types, Great Lakes, a significant connecting channel, over thirty sub-watersheds, migratory pathways, and the most biodiversity of plants and animals in the country. I am always hopeful that as more people tune in, and become more aware, the better we can protect these spaces and restore and enhance habitats for all of the wonderful plants and animals that also call this region home.

Andy Paul

Andy is the Club’s liaison for the Citizens Environment Alliance, Ontario Nature and Detroit River Canadian Cleanup, and he is also on the Junior Egrets committee

Hi!  I’m Andy Paul.  Born and raised in Essex County, I have been enjoying nature in our area for as long as I can remember.  As a club member, I appreciate the chance to develop my naturalist skills while getting to hang out with some really awesome people.  I’m also happy to help run our Junior Egrets program, where my fellow committee members and I try to inspire the next generation of nature-lovers. 

Jeremy Bensette

Jeremy is a member of the Junior Egrets and the Grants committees

Hi, I’m Jeremy. I have served as a board member for the Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club for several years, and more recently have been helping get the Junior Egrets started. Born and raised in Leamington, Point Pelee is a big part of my life. In my early adult years I developed into an obsessed birder, naturalist, field biologist, and aspiring tour guide. I have since travelled far and wide in search of wildlife, developing a strong relationship with the Ontario birding community and many birders and guides around the world. Ask me about our local birds and wildlife anytime!

Sam Dundas

I’m Sam Dundas. I am a lifelong Windsor-Essex resident and I really enjoy spending time outdoors. When I have free time you can find me sailing and kayaking in the Great Lakes and bird watching at my favourite conservation areas and parks.

Jessica Middleton

Jessica is one of the Club’s liaisons for Ojibway and Ontario Nature, and also a member of the Junior Egrets and the Grants committees

Hi! I’m Jessica and I moved to Essex County in 2018. I work at Ojibway Nature Centre and help run ECFN’s Jr. Egrets. I love going for walks and getting to know our local landscape and diverse inhabitants.

Chris Hart

Chris is the editor of the Egret newsletter

Hi, I’m Chris, and I love going on hikes and trying to spot all of the creatures (although I can never remember bird names). I moved back to Windsor a couple of years ago and have steadily become more active in the Club. As an ecologist, I have worked on wildlife conservation projects in South Africa, the Yukon and Newfoundland and Labrador, and I’m eager to become more involved around Essex County.

Aileen Petrozzi

Aileen is a member of the Heritage and the Membership committees

Hi, I’m Aileen ,a retired nurse for  3 years. I credit my love for nature to my mother, helping her with the first bird atlas in my teens. I enjoy my family, traveling, birding,and watercolour painting .  I joined the club when retired and have been learning a lot of our members.  Come out and get involved.