Peterborough Field Naturalists (PFN) established the Legacy Fund in 2014 to provide an on-going stream of income to support the Club’s purposes. PFN’s objectives are:
- To acquire and disseminate knowledge of natural history;
- To protect and preserve wildlife; and
- To stimulate public interest in nature and its preservation.
The PFN was able to set up this fund as a result of a substantial bequest from Rhea Bringeman, a long-time member. Over a period of forty-plus years, Rhea contributed to the PFN in many ways, as President, Vice-president, Secretary, Ontario Nature representative, and compiler of the Orchid Diary of members’ sightings and observations. Above all, she is remembered for her kindness, generosity, dedication and love of nature.
Over the preceding years, the Peterborough Field Naturalists has used the proceeds of the Fund to finance special projects and initiatives as opposed to normal club operations. The PFN Board of Directors has agreed that the annual income from the fund will be used for the following purposes:
Citizen Science Projects: Operating the annual Peterborough Christmas Bird Count, the Petroglyphs Butterfly Count, the Fenelon Falls Butterfly Count and other citizen-science projects.
Youth Education: Sending a young person to the Ontario Nature Youth Summit or similar nature orientated experience, four annual awards at the Peterborough Regional Science Fair for students in the Elementary Level (Grand 4 to 6) and Junior Level (Grades 7 & 8) for the best projects focusing on Nature/Wildlife/Environment.
Community Projects Grants: Recent projects include construction of seed storage for bird feeders at Ecology Park, nest boxes for waterfowl at the Lakefield Lagoon, and support for a project at the Riverside Park & Zoo.
Undergraduate Research Grants: Small grants are awarded to students doing a fourth year thesis project dealing with an aspect of natural history in the Peterborough/Kawarthas Region. Research projects have looked at bats as pollinators, inflorescence in Flying Squirrels, tree preferences of Cicadas, and plastic in bird nests,
Thanks to the PFN Legacy Fund and continuing contributions the PFN will be able to fund and sponsor similar projects in the future.