Audrey Armstrong and Willy Waterton: Searching for Bruce Grey Wild Orchids
Schedule
Tue Apr 21 2026 at 07:30 pm to 09:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Water Street Church, 287 Water St, Guelph ON | Guelph, ON
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Join Nature Guelph Wildflower Society on Tuesday April 21 for a presentation by Audrey Armstrong and Willy Waterton about their search for the 49 species of wild Orchids found in Grey and Bruce counties. Bruce and Grey counties are unique with the Niagara escarpment Georgian Bay and Lake Huron and high calcium soils and wetlands. The variety of habitats in Bruces Grey is suited to 49 species out of 63 species of orchids found in Canada, with the highest concentration of orchids in North America, outside of Florida. Audrey and Willy will talk about the revision of the Owen Sound Field Naturalist's guide to Orchids and their efforts to photograph all species. The guide is a Canadian Best seller and continues to be the go-to guide for Ontario and much of Eastern Canada.
Willy Waterton's ancestors settled Grey County during the 1840’s. He spent 35 years as a photojournalist at the Owen Sound Sun Times, winning over 100 provincial and national photography awards and his photographs have appeared in national and international magazines, newspapers and books. He is active in many community volunteer organizations including the Owen Sound Field Naturalists and Huron Fringe Birding Festival.
A graduate from the University of Guelph, the University of Toronto and the Ontario College of Art and Design, Audrey Anderson with the Bluewater District School Board for 25 years, receiving the Teacher of Excellence award. She has led workshops on monarch butterflies, habitat development and delivers Voices from the Land workshops, developing visual and literary interpretations of nature in Canada and the USA. She continues her love of teaching by leading workshops for Ontario Parks and Parks Canada staff. She is active in many community volunteer organizations including the Owen Sound Field Naturalists and Huron Fringe Birding Festival. Audrey shares her passion and interest in habitat creation with the public.
Photo: Courtesy of Willy Waterton
COVID PROTOCOLS
Please do not attend if you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID.
ABOUT NATURE GUELPH
Nature Guelph is an active community of nature lovers connecting people with nature and inspiring them to celebrate and protect it. We host monthly Speaker Series presentations, offer interest-specific programs for wildflower and bird lovers, lead outdoor events that celebrate our natural spaces, and offer educational and inspiring youth programs. We also partner with other local, like-minded organizations on a number of local conservation, citizen science and advocacy initiatives.
THIS EVENT IS FREE BUT DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.
Donations can be made in person, on our website, through Canada Helps, or by mailing a cheque to: Nature Guelph, P.O. Box 1401, Guelph, Ontario N1H 6N8
Suggested donation of $5 for non-members. Charitable receipts available for donations over $10. If you enjoy our events and programs, consider buying an annual membership. http://www.natureguelph.ca/membership/
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Where is it happening?
Water Street Church, 287 Water St, Guelph ON, 287 Water St, Guelph, ON N1G 1B6, CanadaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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