CFUW Orillia will begin the 2021-22 speaker series on Tuesday, September 28 with a virtual presentation by David Hawke, titled “Fascinating Fungi: The Fundamentals”. David Hawke, a local naturalist, will educate attendees on the roles that are performed within our ecosystem by mushrooms, toadstools, slime molds and other seemingly “icky” things.

David Hawke began his career in outdoor education at the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre in Midland and then moved to the Tiny Marsh Provincial Wildlife Area in Elmvale. He has served as an Eco-tourism Manager for both Bayview-Wildwood Resort on Sparrow Lake and Taboo Resort in Gravenhurst. Recently he was the Property Manager for the Couchiching Conservancy land trust. Currently he is overseeing the removal of Common Reed from the Tiny Marsh wetland for the MTM Conservation Association.

David has received the Richards Education Award for his many years of educating people about nature. He has been writing nature columns since 1989 and presently, when not busy outside, authors a nature column for Orillia Matters which can be found at OrilliaMatters.com

Despite his impressive credentials as a naturalist, photographer, writer, speaker and land steward, David is a bit of a “fun guy” and keeps his presentations light and interesting. The members of CFUW Orillia look forward to his presentation and are certain to leave with a greater knowledge and awareness of our precious ecosystem.

About CFUW Orillia

CFUW Orillia offers amazing social connections, life-long learning opportunities, a commitment to advocacy, new friendships, and is dedicated to promoting education. Currently, we are gathering online until such time that we can meet in person again.

Membership is offered to all women who believe in our goals and value lifelong learning. For more information, please refer to the website: cfuworillia.org.