© Lora Denis
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 ...
Reporting a snapping turtle © Jory Mullen
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 ...
Double-crested cormorant © cuatrok77 CC BY-SA 2.0
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 ...
Native to southern Ontario the tulip tree is named for its tulip-like flowers
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 ...
Rouge Park Bioblitz © Brennan Caverhill
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 ...
Paswe Protected Area © Carter Dorscht