Ontario Nature Blog

Stone Road Alvar Nature Reserve holds a special place in the hearts of Ontario Nature conservation staff and volunteers. Located on the remote Peele Island, this 42-hectare property is home to many rare and region-specific species including 44 provincially rare and 33 regionally rare plant species. The unique alvar habitat has flora adapted to the extreme heat, variations in moisture and rocky soil.   ...

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When I’ve gone camping in Ontario, the park office invariably has a sign outside warning park visitors of recent bear sightings. When I see these signs, I always think “alright, I didn’t see one last time, so I’ll probably get to finally see a bear this weekend…” My predictions haven’t materialized yet, but I keep ...

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It was the year 2009, and Ontario Nature decided to launch the Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas (ORAA) in an effort to improve the province’s knowledge of reptile and amphibian distributions. The ORAA was a continuation of the earlier efforts of the Ontario Herpetofaunal Summary and the Eastern Ontario Herpetofaunal Atlas, which included initial written records dating back to the late 1600s! After 10 years of additional data collection under the ORAA, the atlas program has come to a close with a final ...

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Who equates the words “fall harvest” with the slaughter of inedible birds? The Government of Ontario, apparently. On July 30th it announced the introduction of a fall hunting season for double-crested cormorants, using these fine words: “Fall Harvest for Double-Crested Cormorants Introduced to Protect Local Ecosystems.” The ugly truth is that from September 15 to ...

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Plant lovers are turning their focus from tending houseplants to giving outdoor gardens new life. In a year when so many of us are working from home, staring over the computer screen into our backyards, a little garden work is just what the doctor ordered.   While the houseplant trend rages on, another horticulture trend has been taking root. From home gardeners to growers to municipalities, people are starting to ...

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