The Big Backyard BioBlitz 2024 was a smashing scientific success!
Big Backyard BioBlitz (Photo by Kontakt)
Thank you to the 8,600+ BioBlitzers across Canada who participated in the annual Big Backyard BioBlitz, sharing observations of amazing species from coast to coast to coast. From August 1 to 5, participants shared over 47,000 observations of...
Big Backyard BioBlitz: Snapshots and sound bites to help nature
Big Backyard BioBlitz (Photo by Kontakt)
Just like nature, community science has room for everyone, from the eagle-eyed expert to the newly hatched naturalist. And your contributions can help scientists and conservation organizations like the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC)....
Big Backyard BioBlitz: Your cell phone and curiosity can contribute to scientific research
Monarch butterfly (Photo by A. Dabydeen)
Until recently, I thought that "scientific research" was something only done in labs, hospitals and research institutes, by scientists with four different PhDs. Turns out that's not true! When it comes to monitoring biodiversity, community science...
5 ways to get involved in conservation this Canadian Environment Week
Building bat boxes at Old Man on His Back Prairie and Heritage Conservation Area, SK (Photo by NCC)
Since 1971, Canadians have been celebrating the nation’s natural heritage and the strides made in environmental protection during Canadian Environment Week. The week-long observance also includes World Environment Day (June 5) and World...
No Mow May is over, now what?
Dandelion (Photo by Yinan Chen, Wikimedia Commons)
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) encouraged people across Canada to leave their lawns alone during May. Or if that was too much, people were encouraged to at least delay the inevitable mow for a few weeks. Where I live, this is relatively...
The Great Backyard Bird Count: Counting birds for community science
Dressed for birding in the polar vortex (Photo by Sarah Ludlow/NCC staff)
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a global community science project that aims to gather a snapshot of bird populations and distributions in mid-February, before their annual spring migrations begin. The GBBC runs for four days each year,...
Where are they now? Intern Alumni Spotlight: Sarah Ludlow
Sarah Ludlow at Meeting Lake, SK (Photo by NCC)
This blog marks the 10th Intern Alumni Spotlight — a series highlighting some of the individuals who have interned with the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) in the past. Last month, Brett Norman was featured as the Intern Alumni Spotlight,...
Dr. Crayfish, I presume?
Premek Hamr, PhD (a.k.a. Dr. Crayfish) (Photo courtesy of Premek Hamr, PhD)
At the Nature Conservancy of Canada's annual Ontario Region staff meeting last May, a few of us stepped outside to wander the shoreline of Lake Simcoe and admire the sunset. As we rooted around the rocky beach, I took a few photos of plants and...
Bringing communities together: The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
Hauling foam, a buoy and other marine debris during a 2016 Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. (Photo courtesy of Rachel Schoeler)
As an avid open water swimmer, I learned to respect our waterways while fighting through the smack and splash of ocean waves during long training swims. I fell in love with our waterways during calm, quiet morning swims out on the lake. And I...
Getting your hands dirty: How to build a contemporary chickadee nest box
Black-capped chickadee (Photo by Bill Hubick)
Ever since I started working for the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), where I was exposed to the world of conservation science and communications, I grew fond of birds and wanted to share this newfound interest with my family. My dad was an...
