On the trail

by David Clements, Ph.D. (Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies at Trinity Western University)

The motto of the Langley Field Naturalists (LFN) is “to know nature and keep it worth knowing.”

As I read the book launched by the LFN in December On the Trail: 50 Years of Engaging with Nature I reflected a lot on the meaning of the motto. 

The motto is about what it means to be a naturalist, and not just a Langley Field Naturalist.

To be “on the trail” means you are setting out to explore some part of nature, and you’re bringing your deep sense of curiosity.

Even if you happen to know much about what you will see on the trail, you’re not done “knowing nature” because every day on the trail is different.

At LFN meetings, members are encouraged to share recent “sightings” – usually an unusual bird species sighted in the area, or perhaps a whimsical thing like racoons at a bird feeder.

Chapter 2 of the book on “People Power” delves into the legendary record of key individuals who have sought to know nature and keep it worth knowing in Langley.

The chapter covers many significant LFN members and starts with founding members who I will briefly give tribute to here (but you really must read the book!).

As Phil Henderson writes “Glenn Ryder was one of the world’s great naturalists.”

How could this reclusive individual, who spent most of his days roaming the woods for 70 plus years (until his passing in 2013) have attained such stature?

Ryder really knew nature, and through long hours of careful observation, making extensive illustrated notes, was able to catalogue many species in our area, including rarities like the Pacific water shrew.

The book includes a sketch Ryder made of a family of Pacific water shrews caravanning, whereby the young shrews form a caravan behind their mother “tail in mouth” style.

Two other LFN founders, Al and Jude Grass, passionately advocated for the formation of Campbell Valley Park, and in so doing brought together other nature lovers to form the LFN.

I’ve had the good fortune of spending many hours with Al and Jude, and indeed their love of nature is contagious. 

I’ll leave you with an Al Grass quote from the book: “Getting a good list of birds is one thing but we also want to know how the birds live; that’s what I enjoy. Each one of our walks we hope someone goes away with knowledge they didn’t originally have.”

Learn more at http://langleyfieldnaturalists.org.

This article first appeared in The Green Beat in the Langley Advance Times, and is reprinted with permission.