Connecting with shorebirds at a unique Conservation Volunteers event
Naomi Derksen (Photo by Bill Armstrong)
While attending the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s (NCC’s) shorebird tour Conservation Volunteers (CV) event in June, I met first-time CV Naomi Derksen. Naomi found her way to the event through a roundabout internet route. She was...
Grab your binoculars and get outside
Cedar waxwing (Photo by June Swift)
Grab your binoculars and get outside. Listen, and scan the trees and sky with your eyes. That’s what I, a few fellow Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) interns, staff and friends did on June 14, 2019. At 6 a.m., we started out on a walk...
Black bear versus trail cam
Black bear (Photo by NCC)
Last summer, Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) Saskatchewan Region employees identified possible Canada lynx tracks on the Nathan Lang Memorial Property. This prompted them to find a way to monitor what species could be recorded on the property...
Working in my traditional territory
Naomi Jones (Photo by NCC)
Let me introduce myself. My name is Naomi Jones, and I am from Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation, also known as Neyaahsiinigmiing. It is a First Nations reserve on the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula. I am very proud of where I come from, and I...
Zebra and quagga mussels: Tiny but terrifying invaders
Zebra mussels (Photo by Michael Massimi, Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program/Bugwood.org)
As motivated and concerned members of the community, there are countless opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint, protect habitat and conserve biodiversity. Invasive species are just one piece of the puzzle, and the good news is that...
Saving the bees: Plants to help our buzzing buddies
American bumble bee (Photo by K.S. Gardener/iNaturalist)
Humans have a very delicate relationship with bees. Despite their importance, many of us fail to understand just how much bees impact our daily lives — and how much we’re putting them at risk. Canada has over 850 native bee species,...
Our bird populations need your help
Peregrine falcon (Photo by Jacques Bouvier)
As summer emerges, Canadians are enjoying nicer weather and the sights and sounds that nature brings us. But bird songs, once a familiar sound, are become increasingly faint whether at the local park or in our own backyard. The 2019...
Sleepflying is the new sleepwalking: Species and their sleeping patterns
Grizzly bear cub denning (Photo by Sarah Whynne CC BY-NC 2.0)
Sleep. We all need it, and we all want more of it. Whether you’re an early riser or a night owl, sleep is an important part of human development and health. Sleep helps heal and repair your heart and blood vessels, and lack of sleep can...
Dive into Grand Cayman's pristine waters
Me diving in Grand Cayman (Photo by Rick Lambert)
In April, I went on a week-long scuba diving trip to Grand Cayman with 12 other members of a Toronto-based scuba diving club I belong to. While I had been diving in the Caribbean Sea several times before this trip, this was my first time doing it...
Have no fear: Rational thinking is here
Milk snake (Photo by Jenna Siu/NCC staff)
I was recently hanging out with my four-year-old niece and talking about different animals. She asked me, “What’s your favourite animal?” I replied, “Butterflies and snakes.” At the word snakes, I could see her squirm...
