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Stand Up for Ontario’s Endangered Species!

"In Ontario, there are over 230 plant and animal species that are at-risk, a number which is growing. Their loss or decline affects the functioning and resilience of food webs and landscapes – jeopardizing the well-being of all living beings, including humans." Ontario Nature (take action and read more here).

South Shore Joint Initiative will join Prince Edward County Field Naturalists and Quinte Field Naturalists in a meeting with MPP Allsopp to express our disappointment and objections to the lowering of protections for Species at Risk in the proposed Bill 5.
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Photo: Ian Dickinson - Blandings Turtle, endangered species

Join Us for South Shore Fest on June 7!

Step into nature at the first-ever South Shore Fest at Mariners Park Museum in Milford with our incredible volunteers. There’s nothing quite like Prince Edward County’s South Shore and that’s why we’ve created an incredible DAY & NIGHT all-ages experience to enjoy nature! Rain or shine, from 9 am to 3 pm and at 9 pm join us for FREE & FUN guided nature walks, kids activities, Big Mike’s BBQ, music, and so much more...

⏰ RSVP for a walk and the first-ever Milford Laser-guided Night Sky Tour now at https://www.ssji.ca/southshorefest-2025

A Huge Thank You to Our AGM Attendees!

We are thrilled by the positive feedback from our Annual General Meeting on May 8—your engagement and enthusiasm mean everything!

We were happy to recognize our former board members. Dick Bird was named a Conservation Champion, celebrating his tireless dedication to the Hudgin Log House and his exceptional fundraising efforts. 

John Lowry was recognized for his contribution to the Biodiversity pillar. Though they’ve stepped down from the board, their passion for SSJI remains strong. Both continue to support our mission as invaluable volunteers, making a lasting difference in our community.

A special shoutout to our excellent presenters, Luke Ridgway and Stacy Sproule, for sharing their fascinating work with us.

Missed the AGM? No worries! The recording will be available on YouTube in June—stay tuned for details!

Thank you for being part of this journey with us—your support makes all the difference! 💙🌍
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Photo: Dick Bird wearing a limited edition SSJI sweatshirt featuring Andrew King's painting of Point Traverse Lighthouse. Stay tuned for pre-order information.

Photo: John Lowry - White Trillium (Trillium Grandiflorum)

Photo: Katherine Rogalska

Wildflower Walk - May 10, 2025

The third annual SSJI Spring Wildflower Walk at Point Petre was blessed with beautiful weather and a bonanza of beautiful flowers, on Saturday, May 10th.

Nineteen people enjoyed a walk through the deciduous forest just to the west of the junction of County Road 24 and the Army Reserve Road where they were treated to swathes of wildflowers – everything from Dutchman’s Breeches and Purple Cress to Yellow Trout Lilies and Mayapple. A steady breeze kept the midges at bay and the brilliant sunshine showed the turquoise waters offshore to full advantage.

For those with an interest in birds, the trees were alive with various types of birds and their constant song calling provided a pleasant backdrop to the walk.

Donations for the ongoing work by SSJI to advocate for the preservation and protection of the amazing biodiversity of the South Shore were collected and participants enjoyed some tasty treats provided by Lindsay.

Take a look at our wildflower guide here. We'll be happy to add your photos if you email them to Katherine with the plant's name.

"Every time we walk, we should pick up garbage. It's not a lot of effort, and it makes a huge difference. Every step counts."

"It's great to walk with like-minded people and not be rushed, so I can stop to explore, identify plants and learn more about them."

Photo: John Lowry - Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum Thalictroides)

"It was great to see all generations out for this walk, all learning about ephemerals and enjoying the pristine beauty of our beloved South Shore."

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