The Friends of the Ferguson Forest Centre attended the Kemptville and District Community Association meeting and the North Grenville Charity Expo in November. 

Both of these events were opportunities for the Friends to work collaboratively with other community organizations to share ideas, challenges, and solutions to strengthening our collective presence in and value to the community, and build resilience to ensure a strong foundation for the future. 

It was a pleasure to work with our colleagues in community organizations, that are such an essential part of what makes this community a wonderful place to live and visit. 

The Board of Directors of The Friends of the Ferguson Forest Centre are holding the Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, November 20, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. 

Members are welcome to attend, and non-members who would like to learn more and join us, are welcome to attend. 

The Board currently also has openings, and members are welcome to apply. 

The meeting will take place at the office of the Ferguson Forest Centre, on County Road 44.  Full details can be seen on the calendar of events.

As of September 2018, the Ferguson Forest Centre has its own seed storage facility.

For more information on the Ferguson Tree Nursery and the products they offer, visit their website. 

The Municipality of North Grenville has prepared an updated map and trail guide for the Ferguson Forest Centre. 

Wayfinding has never been easier, as they have also updated signage for the trails and access points. 

The guide is available in a printer friendly version here, and on the Municipality of North Grenville site. 

Looking for some summer physical fitness goals or outdoor activities that the who family can participate in? Why not set a goal to explore the trails and reward yourself with a picnic in the forest? North Grenville also runs a family oriented walk/run club that meets at one of the Forest's access points every Saturday. 

We're looking forward to seeing you on the trails this summer. 

Thank you to everyone who has been out to attend our events and enjoy the forest in 2018! We are pleased that we have been able to effectively showcase the forest centre, providing free educational and enjoyment opportunities based on memberships and donations provided by our supporters. Hundreds of people joined us for the Family Fun Fest in June, and we had record attendance at the medicinal herb walk led by Dr. Shawn Yakimovich of the Kemptville Naturopathic clinic, in July. 

We invite you to experience the forest - either on your own or at one of our events - to engage with nature, explore and enjoy your community forest. Many thanks to our members, to those who have donated, and to the businesses and organizations who continue to invest in our work.

For an overview of 2017 events and activities, check out our Spring 2018 newsletter. 

It was the most active and successful year for the Friends to date, the rewarding result of a number of years of advocacy, countless hours of volunteer support, and ever-growing community partnerships and community involvement. 

Thank you for an incredible year, and for making a difference with us. 

Join us for a day outdoors in the beautiful Ferguson Forest Aboretum. 

This free event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and includes a wide range of activities and entertainment.

There will be plenty to see and do and an opportunity to explore the forest as well. The Kemptville Lions Club  will be providing a charity BBQ. 

* Kemptville Legion Pipes & Drums 🎵
* Rynestone // Magic with an Edge
* Blitzen Estate Horseplay & Harmony // Blitzen Morgans
* Sanctuary 🎵
* Trampoline Demonstrations
* Precision Cheer & Dance Cheerleading, Dance & Gymnastics
* The Strother Martins 🎵
* Discovery Village including: Clearydale Honey, Edible Wild Ontario Cheryl Rush,  Rideau Ground Search and Rescue, Andrea Howard, The Bug Lady, Rideau Roundtable, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival, National Capital Balloon Club

The 2018 bird walk took place in May, with 40 species of birds that were either seen or heard.

Guided by expert field naturalists, participants toured through the forest by the creek, through open meadow, and along a quiet roadway, seeing or hearing a variety of thrushes, warblers, herons, ducks, woodpeckers, flycatchers, vireos, and many more. 

Plants and other wildlife were in no short supply with mating carp, millipedes of remarkable size and frogs singing. A wide variety of ferns, trilliums, violets and lilies graced the paths. 

Follow the Turtle Trail from Anniversary Park to explore this aspect of Ferguson Forest.

The Friends of the Ferguson Forest Centre celebrated Earth Day by attending the North Grenville Sustainability Fair, hosted by Sustainable North Grenville. 

The day was a great success, as we, along with many of our environmentally focused community partners, welcomed people to our information booth. 

Thank you to the new and renewing members who demonstrated their support of the Ferguson Forest Centre and the activities we provide throughout the year.