Ontario Nature Blog

“Eco terrorist.” “Environmental extremist.” “Latte-sucking, SUV-driving, Toronto tree-hugger.” My colleagues and I have been called many names for advocating for the conservation of caribou. When you live in part of Ontario’s remaining logging empire, as I do, talking about protecting caribou habitat can be like kicking a hornet’s nest.

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It has been a long time coming. Alongside our members, supporters, member groups and partners, Ontario Nature spent years trying to convince the Government of Ontario to end the hunting of snapping turtles, a species at risk. And finally, on Friday March 31, the government announced its decision to terminate the hunt. This was the only ...

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Well, here we are again, still talking about hunting snapping turtles, despite all the evidence. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is proposing a new policy to limit yet continue the hunting of snapping turtles. This compromise response to the widespread, scientifically supported call to end the hunt is simply not appropriate. Here’s why:

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Part 3 of a 3 part blog series about the Province’s failure to uphold strong protections for our most vulnerable plants and animals. When we celebrated the passing of Ontario’s new Endangered Species Act (ESA) back in 2007, I could never have imagined that it might serve as a Trojan horse for development. Yet that ...

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Part 2 of a 3 part blog series about the Province’s failure to uphold strong protections for our most vulnerable plants and animals. What moves more slowly than a turtle? The Ontario government when it comes to producing a recovery strategy for the spiny softshell. This threatened turtle is one of over 40 at-risk species ...

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