Ontario Nature Blog
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© Lora Denis
Protecting wetlands is essential in the fight against the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. Nearly 75% of southern Ontario’s wetlands have been destroyed, and remaining wetlands continue to be threatened by development, invasive species, pollution, and climate change. One 89-acre property in the headwaters of Ancaster Creek, known as the Garner Marsh, ...
White River wetlands © What-A-Ride CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
There is an urgent need for solutions to climate change, as temperatures and greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase. The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report warns that immediate action is needed to limit global warming. One effective way to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss is through the protection of natural areas, ...
December 15, 2021–Jenna Cardoso
Climate Change•Indigenous Relations•Protected Places•Stewardship and restoration•Wetlands•Wild Species
James Bay peatlands © Ray Ford
Ontario’s peatlands store the most carbon in the country – more than all the other natural ecosystems in Ontario combined – making these terrestrial wetland ecosystems an essential nature-based climate solution. Yet, only 10% of peatlands are protected in Canada. What Are Peatlands? Peatlands are wetlands such as bogs and fens. Peat is created in ...
Black ash habitat © Eli Sagor CC BY-NC 2.0
In 2019 the Government of Ontario rammed through amendments to our Endangered Species Act (ESA), decimating protections for the province’s most imperiled plants and animals. Among the changes was a new power allowing the government to override automatic protections for newly listed threatened and endangered species, and their habitats. The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and ...
October 14, 2021–Jenna Cardoso
Climate Change•Environmental Education•Stewardship and restoration
Waterspouts, Lake Erie © Mark K CC BY-SA 2.0
This blog is the second in our a series about nature-based solutions to climate change. Canada is warming twice as fast as the global rate, causing profound changes to our climate, health and biodiversity. Climate change is imperiling water, food, biodiversity and the natural systems that we rely on. Part I: Diving into Natural Climate Solutions I ...
Laurel Creek Conservation Area © Carl Hiebert / Grand River Conservation Authority