Our History

NLStory2010-FinalStandard.pdf is a 64-page compilation of well-illustrated articles from The Cardinal that document the club’s history. NLStory2010-FinalHigh.pdf is the large file size, high resolution version.

Selected Highlights from Our History

The presentation Nature-London-History-2020-Highlights-2020.pdf (58 slides, pictures and text) shines a light on the dedicated work of unpaid amateurs who brought about the founding of Nature London in 1864 and keep it thriving more than 150 years later.

150 Years in 15 Pictures

A brief pictorial summary of Nature London’s history appears below.

1864

William Saunders, a young pharmacist who had a great interest in natural history, and several of his contemporaries organized the London Branch of the Entomological Society of Canada.

William Saunders (1836-1914)

1890

The Society formed four study groups or “Sections” in London:

Botanical Section
Geological Section
Microscopical Section
Ornithological Section

The Ornithological Section is the precursor of Nature London. The first chair of this section was W.E. Saunders, son of William Saunders.

During the 1890s, the society’s rooms were used for meetings and for storage of collections. Members of the Botanical Section are pictured here.

1902

The Ornithological Section was renamed the McIlwraith Ornithological Club (MOC). The name honoured Thomas McIlwraith of Hamilton, noted ornithologist. McIlwraith was the author of Birds of Ontario first published in 1886.

Thomas McIlwraith (1824-1903)

1915

After a pause in formal meetings of the study sections, the McIlwraith Ornithological Club was officially reorganized. Indoor meetings have taken place on a regular basis ever since.

May 24, 1915 Outing to Warbler Woods.

1923

The club made its first proposal for establishment of a Bird Sanctuary at Westminster Ponds.

A group of teachers gathers to learn about Saunders Pond in 1925.

1931

The McIlwraith Ornithological Club is one of the founding groups of the Federation of Ontario Naturalists (now called Ontario Nature). W.E. Saunders became the first President of the Federation.

MOC hosted a Regional Gathering for the Federation of Ontario Naturalists at Wonnacott’s Farm, Komoka on May 30, 1936.

1951

Flight Number 1 of The Cardinal, the McIlwraith Ornithological Club’s magazine, is published in April 1951. It has been published quarterly since.

1965

The club changed its name from McIlwraith Ornithological Club to McIlwraith Field Naturalists’ Club (MFN).

McIlwraith Field Naturalists’ Club Crest

1982

MFN purchased the first parcel of land for the Cedarcroft Nature Reserve. It was later expanded to 11 hectares in 1986.

The original 1982 Cedarcroft sign.

1988

MFN launched the Birding Wing.

During a presentation to Birding Wing in 1993, wildlife rehabilitator Ross Snider introduced this Snowy Owl.

2000

MFN played a key role in the founding of the Thames Talbot Land Trust, an organization that actively works to protect, conserve, and restore nature within Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford and Perth counties.

Mud Lake Nature Reserve, Oxford County. Photo by Dave Wavell.

2006

The “Nature in the City” series started, in partnership with London Public Library. Six nature themed talks take place each winter.

2008

London’s 100th Christmas Bird Count took place. The first count on December 23, 1909 was organized by two high school students. After the reorganization of the McIlwraith Ornithological Club in 1915, the group has coordinated the London count every year.

2009

McIlwraith Field Naturalists adopted a new operating name Nature London.

2014

Nature London celebrated its 150th anniversary.