Celebrating nature in our cities
Moss Lady in Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, BC (Photo by Jamie Clifton-Ross)
When we think of nature, we often imagine pristine wilderness with snow-peaked mountains, lush trees and rushing water. Many people take refuge in nature for moments of solitude and reflection. But not all natural spaces have to look like a Bob...
Heard it from a Scout: Winter camping tips for beginners
Building a quinzhee (Photo by Scouts Canada)
With winter’s temperatures and snow, camping can be tricky. But with a little preparation, you can discover that winter camping can be some of the most fun and unforgettable experiences you can have. Check out our top tips to help make your...
Wideview revisited
Fence lined with vinyl clips stretch across the prairie at NCC's Wideview property in Saskatchewan. (Photo by Bill Armstrong)
I experienced an unexpected moment of satisfaction at the beginning of a recent Conservation Volunteers (CV) event at Wideview, a Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) property in Saskatchewan. As the truck I was riding in topped another rise in this...
My first de-fencing lesson
Conservation Volunteer removing wire (Photo by NCC)
As a self-proclaimed explorer, I believe that Canada’s biggest charm lies in its beautiful landscapes and vibrant natural expanses. Just two weeks after moving to Calgary from Mumbai, India, I was looking online for a way to experience the...
Having a field day
Crane River Tract, ON (Photo by NCC)
This summer, I spent a few days volunteering with the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). My family owns a cottage on the Bruce Peninsula, so we are close to several NCC properties. My dad already knew Esme Batten, NCC’s coordinator of...
Wildlife conservation starts on our doorstep
A high school student in a wetland, learning to identify egg masses of amphibian species in the Fraser Valley. (Photo by Isabelle Groc)
The IPBES 2019 Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity reported that one million species of plants and animals are threatened with extinction. I am a mother, and as many others who interact with children and youth, I am worried about the world...
Heard it from a Scout: Safe food practices in nature
You're venturing into animal territory when camping. (Photo by Scouts Canada)
We can probably all agree that spending time outdoors is one of life’s simplest pleasures. A blanket of stars tucks you in at night, a chorus of bird calls welcomes you to the morning and the natural wonders keep you exploring all day. Not...
Caring for our water is a shared responsibility
Fishing in the lake (Photo by Natasha Overduin)
My partner and I are in a yellow canoe in the cold, dark water, gliding silently as we skirt the lake’s rocky cliff edge. Our canoe is an old, dented tanker, borrowed from a friend for this three-night camping trip on a large lake in the...
The magic of nature
Denise Harris with her granddaughter (Photo by NCC)
When I first started going to my neighbourhood park, I often saw disturbing human behaviour; some from children as young as three. In the "School of Life," where my field-testing on educating others about our waterfowl neighbours initially failed,...
Become enlightened about Darkwoods
Alpine Lake on Darkwoods, BC (Photo by Bruce Kirkby)
I want to tell you a little bit about Darkwoods, one of my favourite places in BC. It is a Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) conservation area near Nelson, and it stretches from the shores of Kootenay Lake almost to the U.S. border. It covers...
