Ontario Nature Blog

The Government of Ontario announced plans on November 15, 2018 to eliminate the office of the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario (ECO) and transfer much of its responsibility to the jurisdiction of the Auditor General. This misguided decision undercuts the power and independence of Ontario’s environmental watchdog. In response, Ontario Nature has rallied our community resulting ...

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Veteran environmentalist John Bacher is appealing a decision by the Niagara Falls city council approving a $1.5 billion development that threatens provincially significant wetlands and wildlife habitat in the Thundering Waters Forest. We asked John about the appeal and what’s at stake for Thundering Waters. Q: John, why have you decided to appeal the council’s ...

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Natural areas in southern Ontario are now under greater threat of deforestation and eco-damage than at any time in recent history. Escalating house and condo prices in the GTA are the driving force behind runaway housing development throughout southern Ontario. The Niagara Peninsula is vulnerable to the resulting economic enticements because of its stagnant economy, ...

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In Canada, nearly 90 per cent of plastics end up incinerated, or in our landfills, lakes, parks and oceans. Once in the environment, they contaminate ecosystems, kill wildlife, and leach toxic chemicals. It’s time for Canada to deal with its plastic production, waste, and pollution problem. It’s time for government action. Less than 11 per ...

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This spring a snapping turtle found in Hamilton’s Cootes Paradise was confirmed to have been infected with ranavirus. This potentially devastating virus has killed numerous amphibians, but this is the first time a Canadian reptile has been infected. What causes ranavirus and how is it transmitted? Ranavirus is an infectious DNA virus known to infect ...

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