Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists (MVFN) is an active field naturalists club founded in 1988 to increase public interest, knowledge, understanding, appreciation and respect for the natural world. Run entirely by volunteers, the club is a registered charitable organization that currently has over 300 members and is part of the Ontario Nature Network. On Sunday, March 29, they are screening five films in partnership with the National Film Board of Canada.
The Paddle Committee has selected five videos from the National Film Board archives, including Bill Mason’s iconic Song of the Paddle, and an award-winning reading of the poem Morning on the Lièvres by Archibald Lampman
This year’s Festival will take place on March 29 at the Almonte Civitan Community Hall, located at 500 Almonte Street in Almonte. Doors open at 1pm, and the films will be shown from 1:30–4pm
Admission is free, but, as space is limited, registration is requested by submitting the form found at <bit.ly/3ZB5rcX>. For your convenience, a QR code is included in the accompanying ad on the facing page, or you can visit mvfn.ca/2nd-annual-mvfn-paddle-film-festival. Donations will be gratefully accepted either at registration or at the door.
For more information on the Festival, or the MVFN paddling activities, please contact the committee at paddling@mvfn.ca.
About the Field Naturalists
The MVFN offers many activities, including monthly nature talks, birding activities, field trips, nature walks, canoe/kayak outings, and an annual canoe camp. Opportunities to participate in citizen science projects allow members to explore many fascinating aspects of our natural world. The MVFN are committed to increasing the knowledge and awareness of local species and their habitat, and of the importance of conservation.
The MVFN Environmental Education team fosters a close connection with young people in the schools and clubs of the Mississippi Watershed and strives to enhance their awareness of the important connection we all have to the natural world around us. The MVFN offers a series of interactive workshops through its Young Naturalists’ Program. High school students showing environmental leadership are offered grants that pay for attendance at the annual Ontario Nature Youth Summit. The MVFN Cliff Bennett Nature Bursary and the Elizabeth Kelly Foundation provide grants to students specializing in environmental programs at the college or university level.
For further information, or to join the MVFN, please visit mvfn.ca.