What's a weed?
Orange hawkweed (Photo by Kyle Meller/ NCC)
In the world of conservation, a weed is thought of as any plant growing where it should not be, otherwise known as a non-native, or invasive, plant. Many plants can fit the description of a weed, from the nuisance dandelion to the native stinging...
Something pumpkiny this way comes
Pumpkins (Photo by Nino Barbieri, Wikimedia Commons)
It’s that time of year when we experience fall everywhere we go: brisk air, turned leaves, harvest displays, the donning of warmer apparel and more. This festive atmosphere becomes even more pronounced with the coming of Thanksgiving, and no...
Why forests matter to me: Quotes from staff and supporters
Ogilvie sunset on forest, BC (Photo by NCC)
Across the country, countless Canadians have been celebrating trees and forests last week as well as welcoming the arrival of fall. Although National Forest Week is behind us, there are good reasons to continue appreciating our forests and trees!...
What's to like about lichen?
Reindeer lichen (Photo by Mac Pitcher)
The clean air, cool foggy climate and contiguous old-growth forests of the Island of Newfoundland are an ideal formula for some very rare lichens. These species include boreal felt lichen, vole ears lichen and blue felt lichen. These lichens rely...
Butterfly metamorphosis
Mating monarch butterflies, Butterfly Garden at Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) Tampa, Florida (Photo by Joyce Graham Fogwill)
A few summers ago I watched and photographed the metamorphosis of a butterfly (we weren't sure if the species is a green comma or question mark) at Cape Broyle, Newfoundland. During my visit, I became friends with my seven-year-old neighbour, M.,...
Pollination deception: Manitoba’s lady’s slipper orchids
Small white lady's-slipper (Photo by Melissa Grantham)
In Manitoba we have several species of lady’s slipper orchids, but the two I am most interested in, and have researched, are the yellow lady’s slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum) and the provincially endangered small white lady’s...
Flowers of the Happy Valley Forest
One of the most beautiful of Happy Valley blooms is the fringed gentian flower. (Photo by Dr. Henry Barnett)
The trees, flowers, ferns, birds and other animals of the Happy Valley Forest have been observed and catalogued over the past 60 years - altogether 200 species of plants have been identified growing on the floor of this forest located on the...
Volunteers dig in to help improve riparian habitat
NCC conservation staff and volunteers assess the planting work at Waldron Ranch. (Photo by Kyle Meller)
I was in eighth grade when I first learned about riparian zones and the important role these terrestrial ecosystems play in the conservation of freshwater systems. Little did I know, years later, I would be helping to lead groups of volunteers in...
Blazing ahead of climate change: The potential for assisted migration of Alberta’s native plants
The northern blazing star is being used to test assisted migration as a climate change conservation tool. (Photo by ABMI)
It’s the Goldilocks principle. All species, including plants, animals and fungi, are uniquely adapted to a specific combination of climate and environmental conditions that they need to grow, reproduce and thrive; things need to be...
Caring for babies at the Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve
Maxine Leichter lends a hand during a Conservation Volunteers event at CGOP (Photo by NCC)
What does an environmentalist grandmother do who lives thousands of miles from her grandchildren? She takes care of baby plants instead at the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s (NCC's) Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve (CGOP) near Quamichan Lake and...
