Ontario Nature

Did you know the Auditor General of Ontario’s report shows the provincial government has never denied an application to harm a species at risk or its habitat We have a duty to speak up. Please sign & share: bit.ly/31pzuKb

Environmental advocates want the federal government to reintroduce bill to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, with further changes to address weaknesses and loopholes. #CdnPoli http://ow.ly/JZiC50HS0l2

Great news! Vaughan development company withdrew its application for a ministerial zoning order in Ontario's Wilmot Township Read our joint letter with Nith Valley EcoBoosters and Waterloo Region Nature asking for the township to reject the #MZO request: https://bit.ly/3LhGzP1 http://ow.ly/cR7K50HOPRj

Growth in the Essex County #BaldEagle population is a success story http://ow.ly/hpzb50HOOfp

Grace, a 125-year-old snapping turtle living in Ontario, is older than any living human being. Her survival is increasingly under threat by drivers and bulldozers. http://ow.ly/7FAR50HOLlk

Birchbark canoes are not only culturally important but also sacred for many of Ontario's First Nations. For centuries, the boats have been the people's means of survival, enable them to traverse the rushing rivers and windy lakes of Turtle Island (also known as North America) and connecting them with food sources and one another. Learn more in the Winter 2021 issue of ON Nature magazine: http://ow.ly/GKnH50HN8Si

Save the date! Ontario Nature’s 91st Annual Gathering is set for June 10-12, 2022, in beautiful Sudbury, the City of Lakes. The weekend-long event provides an opportunity to celebrate shared conservation successes, reflect on the past year and discuss the vision for the year ahead. For more information please visit: http://ow.ly/GMih50HOAi1

Missed our joint webinar on Protecting Ontario’s environmental future? View the recording here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=VcC3EyuUYv0 Dr. Anne Bell, was one of the panelists who spoke against the use of Minister’s Zoning Orders and the destruction of our wetlands.The other panelists were David Crombie, Former Chair of the Greenbelt Counci; Tim Gray, Executive Director of Environmental Defence Canada; and Anastasia Lintner, Special Projects Council with Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA).

Check out this beautiful video filmed on the GTA lands looked after by Ontario’s Conservation Authorities: https://www.youtube.com/watch Also, remember our joint webinar on protecting Ontario’s environmental future is coming up on January 12th! https://ontarionature.org//protecting-ontarios-environmen/

Data collection for Ontario’s third Breeding Bird Atlas (Atlas-3) began on January 1, 2021! The atlas helps researchers track bird populations and spot signs of species at risk. Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas. Learn more: https://ontarionature.org//citizen-sc/breeding-bird-atlas/ https://www.cbc.ca//ontario-breeding-bird-atlas-work-under

Late last year, we teamed up with Quest Nature Tours to take you to some of Ontario’s most spectacular nature hot spots. In case you missed it, here's the virtual tour of our Stone Road Alvar Nature Reserve on Pelee Island https://www.youtube.com/watch

What’s next after the gutting of Conservation Authorities? Join Environmental Defence, former Greenbelt Council chair David Crombie, Canadian Environmental Law Association and Ontario Nature on January 12 at 7:00 pm for a live conversation about protecting our future. Register here: https://ontarionature.org//protecting-ontarios-environmen/

Do you know a conservation hero whose efforts and accomplishments deserve recognition? Now is your chance to nominate them for one of Ontario Nature’s Conservation Awards and celebrate their achievements! Nominations must be received by March 26, 2021. https://ontarionature.org/take-action/conservation-awards/

#ActionAlert! Conservation Authorities are under fire Using Budget Bill 229, the Government of Ontario plans to severely curtail the role of Conservation Authorities. Please urge the Government to withdraw these proposed changes. Conservation Authorities play a vital role in land-use planning and in protecting communities from flooding and other climate change impacts. https://ontarionature.good.do/conservationauthorities/send/

#ActionAlert! Stop sprawl and grow the Greenbelt Local governments need to hear from you, tell them you want a COVID-19 Recovery Plan that protects the natural spaces, farmland and precious water sources that we all depend on. https://protected-places.good.do/stopsprawl/sign/

This is what your gift will go towards this #GivingTuesday Please help us reach our goal before next Tuesday! https://www.canadahelps.org//ontari/p2p/givingtuesday2020/

If you read one thing today, please let it be this powerful statement by Chief Kelly LaRocca, in response to the proposed development of the Pickering wetlands

We just finished constructing a new wheelchair accessible trail at our Cawthra Mulock Nature Reserve. We are thrilled to provide more options for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors. A big thank you to Capital Power for their generous support allowing us to install two resting benches along the trail for visitors to enjoy. We would also like to take a moment to thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Government of Canada’s Enabling Accessibility Fund for their support of the accessibility upgrades.

We need our Conservation Authorities to retain their mandate. Read our latest blog to learn how the Upper Thames Conservation Authority helped preserve the historic, environmental and recreational features of Woodstock’s parks. https://ontarionature.org/respect-conservation-authorities/

Meet Flock Together's founders, Ollie Olanipekun and Nadeem Perera, who are trying to reverse the under-representation of people of colour in outdoor activities. https://www.cbc.ca//this-bipoc-birding-group-started-in-lo

#MediaStatement Minister's Zoning Orders are issued without public notice or consultation and there is no opportunity to appeal. This eliminates any opportunity for public scrutiny or input. Where is the public accountability? https://ontarionature.org//unacceptable-to-use-mzos-to-ov/

Giving Tuesday is approaching fast! Please consider making a donation to help us conserve and restore the Sydenham River Watershed for generations to come. Visit our website to learn more: https://ontarionature.org//other-ways-to-g/giving-tuesday/

Don't forget The Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas webinar is coming up next week! Register here to reserve your spot: https://ontarionature.org/event/oraa-webinar/

#DKY that the Carolinian Zone hosts 25% of the Canadian population? That's why we want to conserve and restore the Sydenham River Watershed, but we can only do it with your help. Please help us reach our goal this #GivingTuesday! https://www.canadahelps.org//ontar/p2p/givingtuesday2020/

We are looking for volunteers to assist with our Citizen Science Program! https://ontarionature.org/take-action/volunteer/

The message is loud and clear: remove Schedule 6 from Bill 229 We need our Conservation Authorities to retain their mandate. https://www.cbc.ca//ontario-thames-conservation-authority-

Mark your calendars! Please join Ontario’s Nature’s Director of Conservation, Dr. Anne Bell, for a webinar, jointly presented with CELA and Environmental Defence on Tuesday, November 17th at 7 p.m. about Conservation Authorities. https://ontarionature.org//we-need-our-conservation-autho/

How do urban forests maintain healthy communities? Our latest blog features a report from Ontario Greenbelt in collaboration with University of Toronto researchers, which identified #ClimateChange impacts on Ontario forests and an unequal distribution of green spaces. https://ontarionature.org/the-importance-of-urban-forest-s/

Join us in celebrating the start of #BatWeek! Bats are essential to healthy ecosystems. They eat crop and forest pests and pollinate some of our favourite foods. Learn more about this international celebration here: https://www.batweek.org And also check out our Bat nature guide: https://onnaturemagazine.com/bat-guide.html!

The provincial government is rewriting the rules for conservation authorities. The changes put the interests of developers ahead of science-based decision-making #onpoli https://www.nationalobserver.com//ford-government-take-pow

Mark your calendars! This Friday our nature reserves manager, Smera Sukumar, will be doing a virtual tour of some of our properties in the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula. Register here https://ontarionature.org//virtual-tour-of-ontario-nature/

We have some remaining spots at our open-house event at Cawthra Mulock Nature Reserves to experience our new accessible trail. Grab your spot before it's gone! Register here https://ontarionature.org//cawthra-mulock-accessible-trail/

Please join our conservation projects and education manager, Emma Horrigan, for a virtual tour of our Stone Road Alvar Nature Reserve on Pelee Island This reserve is home to many species at risk. When: November 18, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Register here ... https://ontarionature.org//virtual-tour-of-ontario-nature/ See more

Preparations are currently underway for the start of the third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas(Atlas-3) in 2021. The atlas is a volunteer-based project to map the distribution and abundance of Ontario’s ~300 breeding birds. We need you to help us choose a logo! Visit the link below. Voting closes today at 6pm. Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas #ONBirdAtlas3 www.birdsontario.org/logo

We are joining more than 100 groups from across Ontario to push all levels of government to develop a COVID-19 Recovery Plan that stops sprawl & grows the Greenbelt http://bitly.ws/ahtM Take action here: http://greenbeltalliance.ca

Great news! A shareholder proposal urging P&G to address deforestation and forest degradation in its supply chain passed with 67% of P&G’s shareholders voting in favor! Thank you to everyone who signed our Action Alert on this issue. Our joint letter gathered more than 3,000 signatures: https://ontarionature.org/news-release/pg/ https://www.bloomberg.com//p-g-shareholders-vote-in-favor-

To assist teachers with outdoor classrooms, we have created a booklet with video links and activities designed to connect teachers and students with nature in their schoolyard and neighborhoods. It has a special focus on local birds. Check it out! https://ontarionature.org/connecting-with-nature/

The Lake Superior caribou population has almost completely collapsed. We have a responsibility to caribou and the ecosystems of the north shore to do what we can to restore these systems. Read our latest blog to learn why. https://ontarionature.org/imminent-extirpation-of-the-lake/

More than 3,000 Canadians sign joint letter to ask Procter & Gamble to adhere to its sustainability commitments, and only source pulp from forests where at-risk species are protected and Indigenous rights are respected. https://ontarionature.org/news-release/pg/