Ontario Nature Blog

The COVID-19 virus outbreak inevitably taught us the importance of nature for our mental and emotional well-being. The lockdown months felt endless and had us yearning to get outside, yet many of us realized nature is present in our lives in many different forms, and it’s sometimes closer to us than we would have thought.  We wanted to celebrate ...

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This summer, many millions of gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar dispar, LDD) caterpillars have emerged across Ontario, causing ecological concern from North Bay and Sault Ste. Marie to Windsor and Ottawa. The species was introduced to eastern North America from Europe in the late 1800s through a failed attempt to harvest silk from LDD cocoons. These ...

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Bill 197 unravels environmental protections, including the following: Bill 197 made substantial amendments to the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA). As a result, no types of industrial or development projects will automatically be subject to an environmental assessment, a measure which is intended to ensure an upfront public examination of potential impacts before projects proceed. Instead, ...

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On July 8, the Government of Ontario introduced an omnibus bill (Bill 197) which proposes to amend 20 pieces of legislation with minimum debate in the Legislature and no public consultation. Ramming it through at lightning speed, the government may sneak the new law through as early as next week, minimizing any opportunity for public ...

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As many COVID-related restrictions are lifted, people are returning to the outdoors to explore nature once again. Provincial parks have opened to welcome campers. People are returning to their cottages to enjoy serene lakes, bird songs and swaying trees in the warm summer-breeze.   At Ontario Nature, we are happy to provide opportunities for people to connect to nature and take action in ...

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