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This blog was written by Nature Canada member Steve Gahbauer and edited by Sam Nurse. Summer is with us and a lot is happening in nature. In early July, sandpipers began their southern migration from breeding grounds in northern Canada. The first to leave are those that did not breed, followed by adult females. With wild berries available in mid-July, Black Bears are packing on weight from what they lost during hibernation. They will gain the most weight in the fall. Late in July, male and female Martens begin to pair up for mating season. The young will be born in March and April. The antlers of Bull Caribou are nearing the end of their growth in early August. The… read more →
This blog was written by writing intern Amanda Simard. When someone asks me my favourite place in the world, I don’t have to think twice before answering Tidnish Bay, Nova Scotia. There are few things in life I enjoy more than a quiet day spent sitting by the ocean shore with a good book or a pair of binoculars.When asked why I pick Tidnish – the answer comes easily as well. The community The people I’ve met over summers spent in the area have always been exceptionally kind. They are always eager to share their latest stories and invite newcomers into the community as readily as family. There is a great community spirit and I’ve enjoyed many evenings filled with… read more →
This blog was written by guest blogger Greg Nesbitt. Guest blogger, Greg Nesbitt, is doing a series of his choice for the top five hikes to do in and around Ottawa! The first of the series is on Luskville Falls, Quebec. Hike 1: Luskville Falls – A great workout with a lot of natural beauty When Prime Minster King designated Gatineau Park as federal land and part of the National Capital Region in 1938, he gave area residents a 361 square kilometres outdoor wonderland. The park has year-round activities including endless hiking trails with all levels of difficulty. One of my favourite trails in the park is located just outside Luskville, Quebec. Luskville Falls provides hikers with nice views of… read more →
Featuring Women for Nature member’s Laura Couvrette. Written by fellow Women for Nature member Cara MacMillan. “We believe that organizations can do more. Organizations can increase profitability and efficiency while becoming more environmentally and socially responsible.” Allow me to introduce you to my friend and partner in Women for Nature, Laura Couvrette. Laura and I share a passion for nature and for business. This article is about Laura’s journey and commitment. Laura is from small town northwestern Ontario. She believes in community. Growing up, she saw and felt the wealth in nature as it provided jobs to her community. But nature was more than that– Laura saw that the abundance of lakes and trees need to remain so that we… read more →
Victoria, B.C. (July 12, 2017) — The Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and Nature Canada, Canada’s oldest national nature conservation charity, are officially designating the grounds of Government House a NatureHood site as part of the expansion of the existing Saanich Peninsula NatureHood to include the entire capital region. The official ceremony took place on Wednesday, July 12 at 3:30pm at the Government House residence, 1401 Rockland Avenue, Victoria, B.C. “We are delighted by Her Honour’s passion for nature, and appreciate her support in acknowledging the Government House grounds as a NatureHood site within Victoria’s capital region,” says Bob Peart, National Chair of Nature Canada’s Board of Directors and volunteer with the Friends of Shoal Harbour. “What a… read more →
This post was written by guest blogger Rebecca Kennedy. According to Statistics Canada, as of 2011, more than 80% of Canadians today live in urban areas. While the amenities of big-city life are a significant draw, the benefits of spending time in nature, for both children and adults, are unquestionable. Getting children out in nature is crucial to their growth. It enriches both their mental and physical development and well-being. Spending time outdoors and performing activities that engage with the natural world has been shown to increase attention spans, cultivate creativity, and plant a desire to learn through exploration. A 2009 study found that children who spend time in green parks exhibit lower levels of symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In addition,… read more →
This blog was written by writing intern Amanda Simard. This month’s calendar photo features an Atlantic Puffin and was taken in Newfoundland. Did you know the Atlantic Puffin was the official bird of Newfoundland and Labrador? Learn more about this impressive seabird! Atlantic Puffin Description Common name: Atlantic Puffin Scientific name: Fratercula arctica Habitat: rocky cliffs of the northern Atlantic Ocean Lifespan: 20 years or longer Size: 25 cm long, 500 g Description: Atlantic Puffins are large seabirds with penguin-like coloring. They have a colorful beak in the spring and summer, which fades to grey during the winter. Nesting Atlantic Puffins nest in burrows that are 60-120 cm deep. Puffins first breed at three to six years old. A… read more →
This blog is written by guest blogger Cobi Sharpe. I gained so much from my experience. Not only did I prove to myself that I can go out alone for four days, portage a canoe and carry all the necessities with me, but I also surprised myself in how I handled the adventure both mentally and emotionally. For me, typically, the first night of camping in the backcountry is spent believing that every sound I hear is a bear getting at my food barrel or wandering around the campsite. The second night, some of the noises sound like a bear, and by the third night, I’m so exhausted from not sleeping that I crash for the night and don’t hear… read more →
This blog is written by guest blogger Sean Feagan. The primary cause of the decline of wild species in Canada is the loss and degradation of habitat. Given this, the protection and management of habitat is central to the recovery of species at risk. The federal Species at Risk Act legislates the listing, protection and recovery of species at risk, including the prohibition of destruction of “critical habitat” on federal land, and establishes requirements for species recovery. Under SARA, recovery planning is a two-step process, which first involves the development of a Recovery Strategy that includes the identification of critical habitat, and a subsequent Action Plan to identify measures to protect or enhances the critical habitat. To date, this recovery… read more →
As summer is in full swing, it’s time to start thinking about how you can make the most of those long, hot summer days. Here’s an idea: plan a trip to one of Canada’s 200 national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas! Plus, this year these sites are all free to access with the 2017 Parks Canada Discovery Pass! Whether you need a pit-stop where you can cool off, take a swim and have lunch, or you have always dreamed of a family vacation where you can tune into nature or immerse yourself in our nation’s history, there’s an adventure waiting for you at these of natural and historic areas. 10 things to do in a day… read more →
