No easy task: Ayla Peacock on battling invasive species in the Crown of the Continent
Getting to Conservation Volunteers site often involves a scenic hike through the land. Blind Canyon, AB (Photo by NCC)
I’m lucky enough to work in within the Crown of the Continent, a region straddling the continental divide in the Rocky Mountains that covers corners of Montana, Alberta and British Columbia. This unique landscape features magnificent and...
The wonder of new discoveries
Sierra Nevada de Santa Maria, Colombia (Photo by Mark Stabb/NCC staff)
It is heartening to know that there are pockets of the planet where, with the right eyes, new natural history discoveries are waiting to be made. I recently had the privilege of visiting the Republic of Colombia for a two-week birdwatching and...
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...
Healthy forests are gifts that keep on giving
A forested path (Photo by Mariam Qureshi)
Have you ever been in the forest and felt a sense of peace? If so, then you know the importance of the forest to human health. But the forest is more than just a place to get away from it all; it is a vital ecosystem. A healthy forest provides...
Happy Pi Day! The importance of 3.14 in nature
Pi pie (Photo by Wikimedia Commons, Paul Smith)
March 14: it has many of us sharing photos of pies, Π and pies with Π on them. But our fascination with the number 3.14 goes beyond a good excuse to eat baked goods. The mystery and wonder of pi is evident everywhere around us, including in...
International Women’s Day is about being inspired and inspiring others every day
NCC staff conducting fieldwork at the Black Ash Nature Reserve, NL. (Photo by Triina Voitk/NCC staff)
For decades, International Women’s Day (March 8) has been celebrated around the world to recognize the achievements of women and our contributions to society. Every day, the people behind the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s...
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...
Close encounter with a barred owl
Barred owl at night (Photo by Quincin Chan/NCC staff)
This blog was written by Damien Cheung (with the help of his mom, Quincin Chan). I went to Arrowhead Provincial Park in Ontario for the Fire and Ice Night event with my family on a weekend in January and stayed in a cabin in the park. We had...
And owl…will always…love you!
A barred owl perched on scaffolding on a roof that’s being re-done. (Photo by Rebecca Clarke)
As an avid nature lover, I am constantly in awe of the beauty and diversity of the natural world, but there's one species that holds a special place in my heart: barred owl. Have you ever heard the distinctive call of a barred owl at night and...
Wetlands are our natural defences and need to be conserved
Upper Ohio, NS (Photo by Mike Dembeck)
During the recent UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Montreal, over 190 nations adopted a Global Biodiversity Framework. Part of that agreement is to conserve at least 30 per cent of the world’s lands and waters by 2030. While it is not a...
