A local group is honouring the memory of one of its former leaders.
Zachary Junkin was a co-president of the Sydenham Field Naturalists, and passed away unexpectedly last August.
This past weekend, members of the group gathered with Junkin’s friends and family to dedicate a memorial bench at Peers Wetlands. The live edge bench is made from a 160-year-old burr oak, and sits in front of three newly planted red oak trees.
Officials with the Sydenham Field Naturalists say the historic oak was felled in the name of progress, and the bench stands as a testament to Junkin’s enduring love for nature and his commitment to environmental stewardship.
The memorial was made possible through the hard work of the Sydenham Field Naturalists, and generous donations of family, friends, and the broader community.