Turtles: Canada's culture in a shell
Blanding's turtle, Frontenac Arch Natural Area, Ontario (Photo by Ryan M. Bolton)
It was a gloomy day in southern Ontario. Although the canoe I paddled in was quiet, the landscape — filled with croaks and chirping — was anything but. Three metres away, a small creature emerged from the glass-like water to stretch...
An introduction to the science of bird migration in Canada
Palm warbler (Photo by Marshall Faintich)
Birds move. Actually, they do better than that: most birds fly. And the distances these tiny creatures can cover is jaw-dropping. On top of that, can you imagine the views from a bird's vantage point as it flies from South America to Canada?...
Nature-based solutions: Benefits for people and the planet
Alpine Lake on Darkwoods, BC (Photo by Bruce Kirkby)
There is no longer any question, scientifically speaking, that the effects of climate change are increasing both the rate and extent of biodiversity loss, not just in Canada, but globally. When combined with human impacts, such as land conversion...
The truth about ticks
Adult deer tick (Photo by Scott Bauer/Wikimedia Commons)
Ticks seem to be everywhere these days. They’re on the news, on your social media feed and maybe even on your skin. People, especially those in southern Canada, are dealing with blacklegged ticks (also called deer ticks) with increasing...
To mow, or not to mow, that is the question
Maria Olkinitskaya picking dandelions at Baie Verte CV event, NB (Photo by NCC)
During the month of May, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is encouraging people to hold off on trimming their lawn in favour of letting the flowers and grasses grow, to provide habitat for insects and birds. The idea is to reimagine our...
Birding by ear: What birdsongs tell us
Eastern meadowlark (Photo by Mhairi McFarlane/NCC staff)
Have you ever been out walking and heard birds singing and wondered which bird was making which sound? Or perhaps you’ve been sitting outside on a summer’s evening and heard a persistent bird calling, but you weren’t sure what...
Lichens: An often overlooked little universe
The colours, forms and textures of the microcosms are fascinating. (Photo by Doug van Hemessen/NCC staff)
I often go out for an “aimless wander,” especially in the woods surrounding my home. Aimless wandering is a way of being mindful through wandering and spaciousness versus concentration and focus. It is as the words themselves:...
Be on the lookout for these eight common invasive species
Purple loosestrife (Photo by Liz West, Wikimedia Commons)
Spending all this time at home has helped me realize something: I’ve been in denial about the invasive plants growing around my home. The little patch of garlic mustard by our front steps, which I’m sure came from seeds on my boots...
Ick, it's a tick! Tips for tick safety
Adult deer tick (Photo by Scott Bauer/Wikimedia Commons)
At the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), field work is an integral part of many staffers' routine, be it leading volunteer events or conducting various conservation activities. When it comes to spending time outdoors, it is important to be...
5 ways insects make our world a better place
Dragonfly at Carden Alvar, ON (Photo by NCC)
There are an estimated 10 quintillion individual insects on Earth. That’s 19 zeroes after the one! Insects make up 75 per cent of all animals. Despite their ubiquity, they have a PR problem. People often find them gross, scary or even...
