Ron Tozer is a charter member of OFO and one of Ontario’s best known field ornithologists. Many of Canada’s prominent scientists and conservationists benefited from Ron’s mentoring when they were summer naturalists in Algonquin Park. OFO members appreciate Ron’s depth of ornithological knowledge and his willingness to impart it to others on field trips and in his articles in Ontario Birds and OFO News.
Ron’s impact on ornithology in Ontario is broad. Jon Dunn considers Ron’s 1974 book, co-authored with Jim Richards, Birds of the Oshawa-Lake Scugog Region, Ontario, as one of the finest regional bird books in North America. Ron is currently writing the Birds of Algonquin Park.
Ron was co-editor of Ontario Birds for 16 years from 1991 to 2006 as it evolved into one of North America’s leading ornithological journals. He currently serves on the Ontario Bird Records Committee and was Chair for five of his 14 years on the OBRC.
Ron participated in both Ontario Breeding Bird Atlases as Algonquin’s Regional Co-ordinator and was scientific editor of 26 species accounts in the second atlas. Birders eagerly await his Birds of Algonquin Park.
Ron Tozer (left) receiving the 2009 Distinguished Ornithologist Award from former president Margaret Bain at the OFO Annual Convention at Point Pelee on 3 October 2009. Photo: Jean Iron