Category: Ecological Integrity
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Reforestation at Balsam Lake: round "brew"
Last year, we collaborated with our friends at Collective Arts Brewing to brew up a tasty ecological reforestation project for Balsam Lake Provincial Park. Thanks to your unwavering support, we’re thrilled to announce that we’re back with Collective Arts to debut their newest brew: Trail Loop Honey Lager! Keep reading to learn how Ontario Parks…
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The dos and don'ts of using live bait in provincial parks
Ontario is home to more than 250,000 lakes, thousands of kilometres of streams and rivers, and more than 150 species of fish. There are endless fishing opportunities at Ontario Parks, and dropping a line is a great way to connect with and learn about nature. From Lake Trout to Brook Trout, Walleye to Northern Pike,…
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Meet the invaders
Invasive species are among the greatest threats to the survival of Ontario’s native animal and plant life. They are also costly to manage, harmful to international trade, and a risk to human health. Become an Invasive Species Fighter, and help us stop their arrival and spread. Your training begins now…
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Piping Plovers
Today’s post comes from Assistant Ecologist and Piping Plover specialist Ian Fife. If you’ve visited some of our popular Great Lakes beaches, you may have noticed restricted areas for a tiny bird no larger than a sparrow. What’s so important about these birds, and why do we fence off parts of our beaches to protect…
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Help us fill Breeding Bird Atlas gaps!
In today’s post, Ontario Parks Northeast Zone Ecologist Anna Sheppard is asking for your helping hands (actually, eyes. And ears.) Planning to visit any of these northwestern parks this summer? Aaron Provincial Park Blue Lake Provincial Park Lake Superior Provincial Park Neys Provincial Park Silver Falls Provincial Park Woodland Caribou Provincial Park If so, and…
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How to be a responsible mountain biker
Mountain biking is a great way to exercise and spend time surrounded by nature. It can also have a huge impact on the environment. We know Ontario Parks trails are a favourite among mountain bikers, so we wanted to share some of our best practices to protect where you bike.
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The effects of foraging at Ontario Parks
We know a lot of our visitors are interested in exploring our parks, and maybe taking a piece of it home with them. We’ve noticed an increase in popularity of foraging, but remember: foraging for any plant or fungal species is prohibited in provincial parks.
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The fascinating world of dragonflies and their importance to ecosystems
Today’s blog comes to us from Algonquin Provincial Park Naturalist Sarah Lamond. Picture it: a warm July day at Algonquin. You’re basking in the day’s rays and exploring an interpretive trail. It’s all picture perfect until you hear that telltale buzz and feel an all-too-familiar pain on your scalp. The Deer Flies have arrived. Swatting at…