How a hidden forest valley is a big opportunity for conservation
Photo assignment for NCC is a journey into a pristine habitat that will make a difference in southwestern Ontario. (Photo by Gregg McLachlan)
Towering hemlocks reaching for the sky. A deep and rugged valley covered with ferns. A coldwater stream flowing over and under moss-covered fallen pine trunks. Just the thought of these scenes makes my mind wander yet again to northern...
Ringing in 2018 a little lighter: How reducing my impact kept me in the black
Festive lights (Photo by Jonathan McIntosh/Wikimedia Commons)
The holidays have come and gone, but there’s one thing that tends to stick around with the glitter: debt. In the past, I would rack up my credit card bill, year after year, causing a mini heart attack each time I looked at my bank account....
Year-end reflections that everyone can get into this season
End of year is a good time for a self-reflection. (Photo by NCC)
As the clock ticks towards the end of 2017, many people can’t help but reminisce about what a year it was. And some may ponder what they’ve missed out on or wished they made more time for in these past 12 months. Whether the year has...
Identifying bats by their distinctive voices
Big brown bat (Photo by Brock Fenton)
Having studied bats for more than a decade, I have been fortunate to be able talk to students in their classrooms while doing bat presentations, or to landowners while I trapped bats on their properties. Everyone has a bat story. Everyone loves...
The 12 birds of Christmas
Mourning dove (Photo by Ken Schneider)
On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…fun bird facts! To celebrate the holidays this year, here are some interesting tidbits about 12 different birds found in Canada, some of which are featured in the 12 Days of Christmas...
Christmas trees make a great cup of tea
White spruce with cones (Photo by Manitoba Museum)
Every day, the Google search engine is inundated with searches for the next superfood, health trend or nutritional qualities of certain foods. Sadly, very few people know that you can make a beverage high in vitamin C from...Christmas...
A soft spot for the infamous predator: Wolves
Gray wolf (Photo by Mike Dembeck)
The timber wolf, also known as the gray wolf, is common in northwestern Ontario, where I have worked and lived for nearly 40 years. Common, but not always safe. I have a soft spot for predators such as wolves. In part because they are beautiful...
Heard it from a Scout: Sumac is nature's tasty candy
Staghorn sumac (Photo by Kaelem Moniz)
In my first year of Scouts, I went on a hike with my troop and discovered a strange-looking plant. One of the senior Scouts told everyone that it was called staghorn sumac and that it was like “nature’s sour candy.” I tried it...
Can you hear me now? Using remote technology to record birds and other wildlife
Black bear captured by camera trap (Photo by NCC)
In various Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) properties across Alberta, the secret lives of wildlife are being discovered using camera traps, sound recording units and other technology. Scientists are generating new and valuable data on wildlife...
Give giving a go this Giving Tuesday
Children walking in the woods, Bunchberry Meadows Conservation Area, AB (Photo by Kyle Marquardt)
Giving Tuesday, a global giving and volunteer movement, officially returns this year on November 28. Started in 2012, Giving Tuesday encourages individuals and corporations to donate and/or volunteer their time to support charities and non-profit...
