© Lora Denis
Io moth, Gananoque Lake Nature Reserve © Alice Dabrowski
Do you get this question a lot? I do, so let’s think about how to answer it. Insects don’t have to be of any human value in order for them to matter, but many people are more likely to be persuaded of the value of insects by human-centred arguments. With approximately one million insect species ...
Reflecting back As 2015 draws to a close, we’re reflecting on 12 key things that we have accomplished for nature this past year. Thank you to all of our friends, followers, members, funders and sponsors. Without your support, we could not protect Ontario’s wild species and wild spaces.
Carpenter bee on blossom © John Vetterli
For breakfast this morning, I had the pleasure of attending a science briefing on neonicotinoid insecticides (neonics) presented by Dr. Jean-Marc Bonmatin, vice-chair of the international Task Force on Systemic Pesticides. Hosted by the David Suzuki Foundation at Queens Park, the breakfast event was sponsored by MPPs Marie-France Lalonde and Peter Tabuns, and attended by ...
American bumblebee © Thom Wilson
Half of the bumblebee species in eastern North America are in decline. This trend holds true in southern Ontario, where seven of the 14 bumblebee species found in surveys from 1971 – 1973 were found to be either absent or in decline when surveyed 30 years later. Some of these, like the rusty-patched, the gypsy ...
Monarch butterfly and asters © Marie C Fields, Shutterstock
Every once in a while when I am walking through Thickson’s Woods in Whitby, I catch a glimpse of gold dancing over the meadow. Tragically, these magical encounters are becoming uncommon. The dramatic population decline of monarchs is of concern to scientists and naturalists, and of interest to the media.