Ontario Nature Blog
Receive email alerts about breaking conservation
and environmental news.
© Lora Denis
July 2, 2026–Kellsie Bonnyman
Campaigns and advocacy•Conservation Authorities•Habitat•Protected Places
Mohawk Park, Brantford © Stefaniia Kunilova CC 0.0
As of March 2026, an additional 588 hectares of locally protected lands in Ontario officially count towards Canada’s target to protect and conserve 30% of land and water by 2030, a goal established under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and commonly known as the 30×30 target. The 30×30 target is premised upon halting and reversing ...
March 26, 2026–Luke Bondi
Conservation News•Campaigns and advocacy•Conservation Authorities•Habitat•Land-use planning•Wetlands
Male caribou © Christian Schroeder
Since 2018, Ontario’s nature protections have been repeatedly weakened. While a few stories such as the ongoing changes to Conservation Authorities or the Greenbelt scandal made headlines, dozens of major changes have flown under the radar, buried deep inside massive government bills. It has been a lot to track, even for us. Today, Ontario Nature ...
March 11, 2026–Jake Zamora
Birds•Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)•Habitat•Reduce Your Footprint•Wild Species
Great grey owl, Southern Ontario, 2026 © Jake Zamora
Incorporating nature into local development can have a significant impact on human health. Examples include improved sleep and academic performance in children, metabolic risk reduction in adults, and longevity in seniors. Though there is evidence for human benefit, it is particularly important for other species who may call these spaces home. This is highlighted by ...
March 5, 2026–Allanah Vokes
Community Science•Habitat•Nature Reserves•Pollinators•Wild Species
Volunteer team at moth sheet, Sydenham River Nature Reserve © Allanah Vokes
“How about doing a moth survey at Sydenham?” “A moss survey?” Asked Roberta Buchanan, local property steward for Sydenham River Nature Reserve, who didn’t quite hear me while we were walking outside. “No, moths. Like a nocturnal equivalent to the butterfly survey. Who knows what we’ll find?” It was 2023. I knew how unique the ...
Sandbanks Provincial Park, West Lake © John Brebner
Like many regions across Ontario, West Lake in Prince Edward County is experiencing altered shorelines, habitat fragmentation, and growing development pressure. The 1,903-hectare lake is bordered by the largest freshwater baymouth barrier dune system in the world, found within Sandbanks Provincial Park. West Lake contains a large provincially significant wetland and is home to at ...
Laurel Creek Conservation Area © Carl Hiebert / Grand River Conservation Authority