President’s Report 2025

🌿 President’s Report – 2025

Prepared by Gary Gauthier, President Date: November 2025

Opening Reflection

As I complete my first year as President, I want to thank our members, directors, and committee leads for their support, insight, and dedication. This year has been one of learning, listening, and laying the groundwork for renewal. We’ve made tremendous progress on several fronts, while also identifying unfinished priorities that will guide our work ahead—particularly in board succession, committee revitalization, record-keeping, and member engagement.

🌱 Our Work and Committees

Nature Nanaimo’s strength lies in the dedication of its members and the collaborative energy of its committees. Whether through public education, guided outings, speaker events, or digital infrastructure, our volunteers bring expertise, creativity, and care to every initiative. This year’s progress reflects the thoughtful coordination of our Magazine, Presentation, Outings, and Digital Infrastructure volunteers—each contributing to a vibrant and resilient organization. Their work helps us connect with the public, deepen our ecological understanding, and build a stronger network of nature-focused allies across the region.

📰 Nanaimo Magazine Columns

Our Magazine Committee—Mark White, Judy Wickland, and Sheila Duguid—continues to meet regularly to develop and refine a 24-month pipeline of nature-focused articles for Nanaimo Magazine. This initiative not only showcases the ecological richness of our region but also provides Nature Nanaimo with a valuable platform for public engagement. Each column offers an opportunity to include monthly event notices, helping to promote our guided outings and tours—such as the Buttertubs Marsh walks, the recent Morrell Sanctuary tour, and other upcoming activities. A key strength of this initiative has been the inclusion of allied nature-focused groups and organizations, helping to build a broader network of support for local conservation and education.

Published Columns (April 2025 – February 2026):

• April 2025 – Nature Nanaimo – The Founders (Gary Gauthier)
• May 2025 – Help Save Harewood Plains (Staffan Lindgren)
• June 2025 – Buttertubs Marsh (Doug Fraser)
• July 2025 – Discover Nature at Your Back Door (Judy Wickland)
• August 2025 – Nanaimo Naturalists Provide Housing for Western Purple Martins (Staffan Lindgren & Bruce Cousens)
• September 2025 – Amazing Salmon (Judy Wickland)
• October 2025 – Vancouver Island Black Bear (Sylvia Campbell, North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre)
• November 2025 – Mushrooms: Gift of the Rains (Terry & Rosemary Taylor, Arrowsmith Naturalists)
• December 2025 – Nanaimo Saltwater Nudibranchs (Rick Harbo)

🚶 Outings Committee and Guided Events

Our Outings Committee—Doug Fraser, Tom Grauman (Chair), Sinjin Dixon-Warren, Nancy Twynam, and Lise Gagnon—has coordinated a variety of engaging field experiences for members and the public. These outings offer opportunities to explore local ecosystems, learn from knowledgeable guides, and build community around shared appreciation for nature.

Highlights this year include:

• Buttertubs Marsh Guided Walks – seasonal birding and habitat tours
• Morrell Sanctuary Tour – forest ecology and conservation insights
• Monthly Nature Walks – informal member-led explorations of local trails and parks

These events continue to be well-attended and well-received, and we thank the committee for their thoughtful planning and leadership.

🎤 Presentation Committee and Speaker Program

Our Presentation and Speakers Committee—Staffan Lindgren, Janice Porteous, Doug Fraser, with Linda Brooymans serving as NALT liaison—has continued to organize a strong lineup of monthly speakers for our public meetings. These presentations are a cornerstone of our educational mission and consistently draw interest from members and guests alike.

Upcoming Speakers:

• November: Connecting the Wild: Yellowstone to Yukon Vision with Tim Burkhart
• December: No speaker (holiday break)
•  January: Western Screech Owls: What We’ve Learned and the QuestionsStill Ahead with Megan Buers
• Snorkeling around Vancouver Island with Sara Ellison
• Sea otters and River otters with Linda Nichol (Tentative)

We thank the committee for their thoughtful coordination and outreach, and we look forward to another engaging season of talks.

🖥️ Digital Infrastructure and Record-Keeping

This year, we began updating NatureNanaimo.ca to better reflect our current activities, leadership, and public outreach. The website now includes recent speaker listings, magazine column links, and improved navigation for events and membership. These updates support our goal of making Nature Nanaimo more accessible and visible to the community.

In parallel, we’ve launched a Google Workspace initiative to strengthen our internal record-keeping and continuity. This includes organizing shared folders for board documents, committee materials, and historical records. The system is designed to support succession planning, improve transparency, and ensure that future directors and volunteers have access to the tools and information they need.

We also transitioned to a new Nature Nanaimo email structure using this platform. I want to thank all board members for embracing the change and adapting to the new tools, and extend special recognition to Sinjin Dixon-Warren for his work in implementing the system and training us to use it effectively. His support has been instrumental in helping us modernize our communications and improve organizational resilience.

Acknowledgements:

• Special appreciation to Daisy Blumensaat for her work in updating and maintaining our digital presence to the World, ensuring it remains a vibrant and informative resource.
• Heartfelt thanks to Sally Hofmeier for her ongoing support and for keeping our calendars of events, presentations, and outings information current—her diligence helps members stay connected and engaged.

📊 Membership

This year’s membership report, prepared by Sally Hofmeier, reflects steady engagement and growth. We are grateful for her careful record-keeping and commitment to ensuring members are welcomed and supported.

🏅 Awards Committee

This year we successfully launched the NN Student Award, recognizing emerging voices in conservation and ecology.

Special thanks go to Rick Harbo and Marilyn Nelson for bringing this award program to completion. We also acknowledge the contributions of previous committee members, including Nancy Twyman, Michael Stebbings and Tom Grauman, who helped set the foundation for our work. Their efforts have ensured that Nature Nanaimo can celebrate and encourage the next generation of ecological leaders.

🙋 Member Volunteer Survey

Nature Nanaimo is currently conducting a Member Volunteer Survey to better understand the interests, skills, and availability of our membership. The survey is being delivered via email through info@naturenanaimo.ca, and we invite members to share how they would like to contribute to the society’s activities and committees.

Key outcomes so far include:

• Strong interest in supporting guided outings, presentations, and public events.
• Several members have expressed willingness to assist with digital infrastructure and communications, helping strengthen our online presence.
• A number of respondents have highlighted their availability for short-term projects and event-specific volunteering, reflecting the flexible and diverse ways our members contribute.
• Responses also underscore the importance of recognition and clear role descriptions, ensuring volunteers feel valued and supported.

This initiative is providing valuable insight into the character of our membership—engaged, generous, and eager to share their time and expertise. The survey remains in progress, and additional responses will continue to guide committee revitalization and succession planning, ensuring Nature Nanaimo remains resilient and inclusive in the years ahead.

💡 Member Suggestions and Engagement

Over the past few months, I have received thoughtful suggestions from various Nature Nanaimo members about ways we can strengthen our society. One suggestion was to schedule some of our presentations and meetings during the daytime, in order to avoid night-time driving and make events more accessible.

This reminds us that while we have all been busy working on committees and initiatives, it is equally important to reach out to our members and take advantage of the wide range of knowledge, skills, thoughts, and suggestions they bring. Our members are not only participants but also a source of wisdom and creativity, and your input helps ensure that Nature Nanaimo remains responsive, inclusive, and resilient.

💰 Finance and Budget

Financial stewardship remains a cornerstone of our work. Sinjin Dixon-Warren has prepared and shared a comprehensive financial report via Google Workspace, ensuring transparency and accountability. His diligence helps us maintain a strong foundation for future initiatives.

➡️ Please note: Our 2025 year-end financial report and 2026 budget are being sent out to membership separately from this President’s Report.

🌍 Advocacy and External Relations

While Nature Nanaimo is not primarily an advocacy organization, members have engaged thoughtfully with the proposed Nanaimo Data Centre project, highlighting the importance of transparency, ecological safeguards, and community education.

Beyond this single issue, our members have personally participated in numerous local and regional projects and events focused on nature protection and ecological resilience. From supporting conservation initiatives and attending council meetings to contributing to allied organizations and community-led outings, these efforts demonstrate the character of our membership—committed, informed, and willing to step forward when the natural world needs a voice.

Most recently, Nature Nanaimo was represented at the Climate Action Conference, where members staffed a display booth. This presence helped showcase our work, connect with other organizations, and highlight the values of ecological stewardship and community engagement that define our society.

🔄 Board Vacancy and Recruitment Strategy

As we look ahead to 2026, one director position remains vacant. I recommend that we leave this position open at this time to allow the executive to carefully consider recruitment opportunities. Our goal should be to identify an individual with the experience, skills, and commitment necessary to contribute meaningfully to the leadership of Nature Nanaimo.

By forming a working group early in January, we can establish a structured recruitment process. This will enable us to appoint a suitable candidate during the course of 2026, giving them time to integrate into the board and prepare for anticipated executive transitions in the following year. This approach ensures continuity, strengthens our leadership capacity, and supports the long-term resilience of our society.

🎉 Upcoming Events

• Annual General Meeting (AGM): Thursday, November 27, 7:00–7:30 pm at Beban Park Social Centre (Rooms 2–3). A nature speaker and presentation will follow the AGM.
• Christmas Party/Social: Saturday, December 6, 6:30–8:30 pm at Oliver Woods Community Centre. Cost: $10 per person. This is a chance to celebrate our achievements, share stories, and enjoy fellowship as we close the year.

✨ Closing Reflection

As we look ahead, Nature Nanaimo is well-positioned to deepen its role as a trusted partner in conservation and education. With renewed systems, engaged committees, and a growing public presence, we are building not only for today but for the future. Thank you for being part of our community of members and volunteers.