Toppling hurdles for turtles
Painted turtle nesting (Photo by Rod Steinacher)
I have always loved turtles. So, when my first task as an intern with the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) in midwestern Ontario was to conduct turtle surveys across the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula on Lake Huron, I got excited. One of the things I...
Experiencing Canada’s prairie grasslands for the first time
Tall grass prairie in Manitoba (Photo by Jessica Sánchez-Jasso)
Colourful, surprising and full of life, grasslands of the Canadian Prairies are one of a kind. My first visit there deepened my passion for biology and reminded me why I fell in love with this field. From my earliest memories, I can recall...
Prince Edward Island: A bird’s-eye view
Blooming Point Nature Reserve, PEI (Photo by Mike Dembeck)
A popular destination for both people and birds, Prince Edward Island is a natural treasure in Atlantic Canada. The small island (5,620 km2) is one of the most densely populated provinces in the country. The island holds historical and natural...
Development needs can conflict with nature, but with knowledge we can grow together
Gaff Point, NS (Photo by Andrew Herygers/NCC staff)
Our lives depend on nature. From the water we drink, to the air we breathe and the experiences we enjoy outdoors, nature makes it possible. But what happens to these nature-based services as the world’s resource needs evolve and climate...
Nature makes it possible
“Nature is the like most skilled of therapists, the warmest of old friends, and the most nurturing of beloved family members, all wrapped up together. Nature is where I go to heal, recharge, and reawaken.” (Photo of Bruce Peninsula National Park by Brianne Curry/NCC staff)
Nature is and always has been the answer. It sustains us. It is resilient. It has the power to heal and inspire. The Nature Conservancy of Canada recently invited staff to share how nature inspires, nurtures and makes life possible for them. Just...
Getting closer to nature, close to home
Hummingbird, Johnson's Mills, NB (Photo by Jordan Myles/NCC)
Backyard birding is one of my favourite ways to experience nature and develop an appreciation for urban wildlife. It's a hobby that not only brings me joy but also allows me to contribute to the conservation of avian species right in my own...
A Labour of Love: National Volunteer Week
Seeding at Brighton Wetland, ON (Photo by Chelsea Marcantonio/NCC Staff)
A thank you to volunteers in Central Ontario East for their hard work sowing native plant species on NCC's Brighton Wetland property on February 14, 2024.
Show me the spreadsheet: Unveiling the wonders of working landscapes
NCC Stewardship Coordinator, Casey Rempel, engaging with Aberdeen Pasture patrons during a field event. (Photo by Matthew Braun/NCC staff)
What crazy jobs we have. Did you think when you were a young student that shuffling numbers on a spreadsheet for a school project would be the key bit of experience you’d need for conservation? Yeah, me neither. Let me explain by going on a...
High notes in the bur oaks: Songs of the Manitoulin savanna
Manitoulin Island, ON (Photo by Steve Maxwell)
A bouncing ping-pong ball, buzzes, bugles and booms: these are the sounds of the savanna. For someone unaware, the symphony of bur oak savanna on Ontario’s Manitoulin Island may seem unfamiliar. For many species of grassland birds, however,...
Twelve Mile Creek: Niagara’s last remaining cold-water habitat
View of lower pond and adjacent embankment crest at Lathrop Nature Preserve, ON (Photo by Noel Boucher/ NCC)
In the urban landscape of Niagara, Ontario, lies a hidden gem: Twelve Mile Creek. This stream holds significant importance as the last remaining cold-water habitat in the region, serving as a critical lifeline for native species, including brook...
