MVFN is an active field naturalist club founded in 1988 to increase public interest, knowledge, understanding, appreciation, and respect for the natural world.
We are a registered charitable organization (and member of the Ontario Nature Network) committed to increasing the knowledge and awareness of local species and their habitat, and of the importance of conservation.

We offer many activities, from monthly natural history talks, nature walks, field trips, canoe/kayak outings, citizen science and opportunities to explore many fascinating aspects of our natural world. Donations to MVFN and volunteer work coordinated by the organization, help to support a strong voice for the natural world in our region.
The Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists club is run entirely by volunteers, from the Board of Directors, to leaders of outings, refreshment and audiovisual duty at nature talks/presentations, vital communication on activities and projects, and labour for habitat and trail creation projects.
Committees
The work of managing the club and its activities is done by our various committees:
Bylaws
Annual General Meeting
- 2022 Annual Report, 2023 AGM Agenda, 2023 AGM Draft minutes
- 2021-2022 Annual Report, Agenda, 2022 AGM Minutes
- 2021-2020 Annual Report, Agenda,
- 2020-2019 Annual Report. An AGM was not held in 2020 due to the COVID restrictions prohibiting gatherings.
- 2018-2019 Annual Report, Minutes
2021-2022 Board of Directors
President: Val Wilkinson president@mvfn.ca
First Vice-President: Paul Frigon firstvicepresident@mvfn.ca
Second Vice-President: Eric Lay secondvicepresident@mvfn.ca
Past President: Brenda Boyd pastpresident@mvfn.ca
Treasurer: Vacant treasurer@mvfn.ca
Chair of Nature Talks: Ron Williamson programs@mvfn.ca
Chair of Finance: John Blais finance@mvfn.ca
Chair of Publicity: Louise Beckinsale publicity@mvfn.ca
Chair of Environmental Education: Bob Smith environmentaleducation@mvfn.ca
Chair of Conservation and Habitat: Paul Frigon conservation@mvfn.ca
Chair of Membership: Sylvia Miller membership@mvfn.ca
Chair of Nature Protection: Tineke Kuiper protection@mvfn.ca
Director at Large: Cliff Bennett directoratlarge@mvfn.ca
Director at Large: Brenda Boyd directoratlarge@mvfn.ca
Secretary: Sandy Duncan secretary@mvfn.ca