Stanley the stowaway
Stanely on a branch (Photo by Andrea Moreau)
It was past midnight, and I was just wrapping up my school work for the day when I saw it: a tiny brown lizard, only slightly larger than my thumb nail. The lizard was so small (and I was so tired) that I had to do a doubletake; but there it was,...
When it comes to wetland restoration and maximizing soil carbon storage, location matters
A day in the field at the Long Point Biosphere Reserve (Photo by Amanda Loder)
As appreciation from the public grows for the ecological and cultural values of wetlands, there is increasing demand to bring back those wetlands that have been converted or altered. Wetlands were once widespread across the temperate region of...
Once you see it, you can’t unsee it
Northern clearwater crayfish (Photo by mahoonta, CC BY-NC 4.0)
As the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s (NCC’s) Big Backyard BioBlitz approaches, I have been reflecting on the ways that getting to know the wild species around me has enriched my life. I’ve needed to be able to identify key...
Batchewana Island: Protecting paradise
The canoe on the beach, with Batchewana Island in the background. (Photo by Andrea J Moreau/NCC staff)
As a communications intern at the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), I’ve spent a lot of time looking at photos of the many beautiful properties managed by NCC, carefully selecting the right shot to be included in a blog post or newsletter....
Marshland in the Long Point Region has a long history — and holds a lot of carbon
A day in the field at the Long Point Biosphere Reserve (Photo by Amanda Loder)
There is growing discussion on the role of wetlands as natural climate solutions; meaning how we can conserve and restore these ecosystems to leverage carbon storage and greenhouse gas uptake from the atmosphere. This could ultimately help slow...
April showers bring May flowers, and May flowers bring…flies?
A pawpaw flower (Photo by Andrea J. Moreau)
Come spring, natural spaces are always buzzing with activity. The warmer weather and sweet floral scent carried on the wind attract people and prospective pollinators alike. I was no exception to this rule on one late May afternoon, excitedly...
A great island in a Great Lake
Batchewana Island, ON (Photo by Gary McGuffin)
Like so many residents of Sault Ste. Marie, Lake Superior cottagers and travellers on the Trans-Canada Highway, Batchewana Island floats on the horizon of my summertime memories. I remember childhood picnics with my grandparents at Batchawana Bay...
Surviving the storm: What happens after the trees come down?
Downed trees in Gillies Grove after the freezing rain thunderstorm in spring 2023 (Photo by NCC)
Whenever we experience a big storm in eastern Ontario, my thoughts turn to the Gillies Grove Nature Reserve. Home to some of the last remaining old-growth forest in eastern Ontario, this Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) project is considered...
For the love of our landscapes
Part of a naturalized lawn where goldenrods are in the foreground (Photo by Chelsea Vieira)
For so long, most western societies have valued groomed lawns and manicured gardens; those considered beautiful for their lack of weeds, crisp edges and often symmetrical landscaping. Having lived in urban areas most of my life, it wasn't until...
A force for nature: Reflecting on those who've guided my conservation career
Ali Giroux, former conservation biology coordinator, planting native trees in an area where an invasive Scots pine plantation was removed, Hazel Bird Nature Reserve, ON (Photo by Chelsea Marcantonio/NCC staff)
After studying and working in the environmental field since 2014, I have been reminiscing on my journey to where I am now. One high school teacher had a profound impact on me, which I didn’t realize until I was heartbroken to hear about her...
