The joy of doing nothing, except hanging out with puffins
Île aux Perroquets and the historic lighthouse. (Photo courtesy of Quincin Chan)
This blog was written by Wendy Ho as told by Quincin Chan The St. Lawrence River holds a special place in my heart. It was part of my three-week honeymoon camping road trip in Quebec years ago. Fast forward seven years and two kids later, we took...
Nature-friendly practices that benefit wildlife and plants
Orchard (Photo by NCC)
My name is Gabrielle and I'm a biologist. I'm currently completing my master's degree in environment and sustainable development, biodiversity management at the Université de Montréal. I've always been interested in ecological...
Recognition and Reconciliation: The pathway forward is Indigenous-led conservation
Sunset at Hay Bay, Ontario (Photo by Ethan Meleg)
Friday, September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day is intended to provide an opportunity for people to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools. This day has also been observed as Orange Shirt Day since...
One tree at a time: Canada’s forests
Tamarack forest (Photo by NCC)
What one habitat type runs through every province and territory, surrounds communities where most Canadians live and covers about 40 per cent of the country? If you guessed forests, you'd be right! We’re lucky to live in a country dominated...
An unexpected discovery: green dragons!
Green dragon on the Gasser Farm property, QC (Photo by NCC)
On September 1, 2020, toward the end of a work day in the Lake Champlain area and finding that I had an extra couple of hours, I decided to take advantage of the dry season. I wanted to try my luck at crossing the channel of the Pike River to...
A case of mistaken identity: Goldenrod and ragweed
Monarch butterfly on Canada goldenrod (Photo by Peter Jessen, CC BY-NC 4.0)
I count myself fortunate when the change of seasons doesn’t bring about a runny nose, itchy eyes, headache and coughing, among other symptoms brought about by pollen (a fine powder produced by plants for sexual reproduction). Some pollen is...
Something’s Fishy: On the down low
Aerial view of Foxner Nature Reserve, NB (Photo by Mike Dembeck)
Many freshwater fish are extremely susceptible to changes in the waters they live in. Pollution and sediments can all impact the health of lakes, rivers and streams. But did you know that temperature can impact the amount of oxygen in the...
Turtles: Canada's culture in a shell
Blanding's turtle, Frontenac Arch Natural Area, Ontario (Photo by Ryan M. Bolton)
It was a gloomy day in southern Ontario. Although the canoe I paddled in was quiet, the landscape — filled with croaks and chirping — was anything but. Three metres away, a small creature emerged from the glass-like water to stretch...
Canada's splendid sparrow crew
Dark-eyed junco (Photo by Bill Hubick)
Sparrows often don’t get enough credit. Many don’t have flashy plumage like jays, orioles or cardinals, or melodic songs like thrushes or meadowlarks; however, sparrow species are often fairly distinct (once you get to know them) and...
Thank you, volunteers!
Volunteers transplant short-ligule ammophilia plants on the sandbar of the Barachois of Malbaie in Gaspésie (Photo by NCC)
Since 1962, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has conserved habitat across Canada equivalent to an area totalling almost four times the size of Vancouver Island. It’s no surprise that a lot of work goes on behind the scenes once an...
