Category: Ecological Integrity
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What makes the Great Lakes so great?
In today’s blog, Discovery Project Program Coordinator Jessica Stillman reflects on our mutual relationship with the Great Lakes. Our human history is reflected in their waters. The Great Lakes capture our past, influence our present, and inspire our future. Imagine the stories they could tell. These bodies of water are called the Great Lakes for…
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Why are snakes so misunderstood?
We often hear our visitors say how much they fear or hate snakes. Ophidiophobia, the name for an intense fear of snakes, is certainly a legitimate condition, and we do not judge anyone who struggles with it. Many of our own staff are working through this fear. No one chooses to have a phobia. The…
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What's a bioblitz?
When you first hear the word “bioblitz,” you might be a little confused. What does this strange word mean? When you break the word down into smaller pieces, it becomes much easier to understand: “bio” means “life” and “blitz” means a “sudden, energetic, and concerted effort, typically on a specific task.”
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Polar Bears and Prothonotary Warblers: species on the edge
Today’s post comes from our Discovery Specialist Dave Sproule. We are lucky to live in a province where nature has blessed us with many lakes, a variety of landscapes, and an incredible diversity of wildlife. However, some of the plants and animals that call Ontario home are at risk. Our provincial parks and conservation reserves play…
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5 dream dog destinations at Ontario Parks
In today’s post, the Chairdog of the Ontario Barks committee shows us his favourite parks to take a W-A-L-K! Nothing gets my tail wagging faster than seeing my humans pack their bags for a park adventure! I know that’s true for you too, my furry friends. But with 340 provincial parks, how do we let our…
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The cat and the Mudbug: a guide to using iNaturalist
Cellphones have changed our lives in many ways. It seems like there’s an app available to cater to our every need, from baking to banking and all things in between. At Ontario Parks, we generally encourage green time over screen time, however there’s one app we believe every visitor should have on their phone.
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10 low-waste solutions for your next camping trip
Today’s post comes from Jessie Robinson, a Discovery staff member at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park. As we become a more environmentally conscious generation, we are paying more attention to how our own lifestyle habits may be affecting the environment. We strive to reduce our waste, use our reusable and recycle our recyclables, but when…
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Life after loss: the importance of moose antlers
Today’s post comes from Jazmin Gall, Acting Assistant Discovery Leader at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park. Moose are, without a doubt, a magnificent sight to see. Having the opportunity to see one while camping is a memory that can last a lifetime. It’s something that never gets old. Despite their size, moose can sometimes be…