Family Day Crossword
Play the conservation crossword puzzle!
How would you describe your family in one word? Loyal, tight-knit or perhaps a little eccentric? For us humans, the family unit is often our primary social group, and kinship has been central to societal development. But in the fascinating world...
Share your love of nature with your love, in nature
A pair of cedar waxwings (Photo by Brendan Toews)
Behold! The year’s (supposedly) most romantic day is coming up! Whether you see it as a cash grab for makers of V-Day buys or a necessary observance, it’s easy to get swept up in the fuss. But of all the roses, chocolates and candle...
Real animals don't wear scarves in winter
Of all the enticingly cute plush toys currently in store displays, the owl is one of my favourites. But the way marketers portray animals with toques and scarves throughout the winter make me cringe…slightly. Perhaps that’s because we...
Five Rs to a greener holiday
International recycling logo (Photo by Krdan, Wikimedia Commons)
Last December, I had the pleasure of participating in a one-of-a-kind gift exchange dubbed the “useless” gift exchange. Truth be told, I’ve always hoped to avoid these kinds of party games because shopping on a budget to impress...
How to turn Giving Tuesday into Giving Everyday: Ideas for year-round acts of kindness
Giving Tuesday logo
With the passing of two big bargain bonanzas (Black Friday and Cyber Monday) comes Giving Tuesday — a day dedicated to giving back and doing good in our communities. I’m a big believer of year-round acts of kindness, which got me...
Never too old or young to experience the wonders of nature
Child walking in the woods (Photo by Lisa Grilz)
Some say there’s a special bond between grandparents and grandchildren. Without a doubt, family plays an important role in the nurturing, upbringing and education of children. Through this familial interaction, wisdom and values get passed...
Hiking: No place is too far if you have time
Hiking in Hong Kong (Photo by Wendy Ho)
It was a hot, humid summer day without a breath of wind in the mountain pass. Up and up I hiked, head down and sweaty, wishing to feel a whisper of a summer breeze. Occasionally I glanced up to check that I wasn’t trailing too far behind my...
Family fun in nature before back to school: Discover birding!
Birding at the Tabusintac Estuary, NB (Photo by NCC)
“Look! What’s that bird?” “Did you hear that?” “It sounded like dee—dee, the first dee higher pitched than the second!” Can you tell what I’m trying to describe? Attempts of bird...
Gardeners & lawn owners beware: Invasive species may be in your care! (Part Two)
Do you know which species are invasive in your yard? (Photo by Dru Bloomfield)
Whether you are living in an urban centre, suburban subdivision or rural regions, manicured gardens provide a stark contrast to vegetation growing freely in forests, wetlands and roadsides. Many of us have been brought up to appreciate...
Gardeners & lawn owners beware: Invasive species may be in your care! (Part One)
Japanese honeysuckle (Photo by Delaware Wildflowers)
Recently, I discovered my family obtained Japanese honeysuckle from a friend and allowed them to proliferate into a big patch in our backyard. The flowers are fragrant and a pleasant sight, as well a common herb used in traditional Chinese...
