Tag: biodiversity
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Birds and biodiversity
Welcome to the final installment of our series “IBAs in provincial parks,” brought to you by Ontario IBA Coordinator Amanda Bichel of Bird Studies Canada. It’s great sharing bird facts, and stories about IBAs and provincial parks, but it’s time to step back and take a look at the bigger picture: biodiversity.
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Armchair observations and sticking close to home
Today’s post comes from David LeGros, park naturalist at Algonquin Provincial Park. Even though our parks are currently closed, I’ve noticed people are continuing to submit observations to iNaturalist. At first, I was a little worried that people were entering parks during the closure, but on closer inspection, I was pleasantly surprised.
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Georgian Bay Biosphere Region: biodiversity on the Bay
The eastern shore of Georgian Bay is a pink necklace of islands scattered on a turquoise sea. A freshwater sea, that is. Georgian Bay is part of Lake Huron, and Huron is one of the Great Lakes, the largest expanse of freshwater in the world. Eastern Georgian Bay is world class. In 2004, the area was…
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Forever protected: why Petawawa Terrace belongs
Our “Forever protected” series shares why each and every one belongs in Ontario Parks. Our great system of protected areas is based upon a model of representation. In today’s post, Biologist Lauren Trute tells us Petawawa Terrace’s story. For many families in the area, Petawawa Terrace Provincial Park is literally a park in their backyard. Unlike…
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Lake monsters in Ontario Parks
Today’s post comes from Roger LaFontaine, park naturalist, classically trained biologist and amateur lake monster researcher. He has spent nearly two decades researching and documenting the occurrence of mysterious creatures in Ontario. We think that we know our lakes and rivers well, but, in reality, we have barely scratched the surface. Unknown to us, the…
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IBAs of Ontario Parks: the Frontenac Forests IBA
Welcome to the September installment of “IBAs in provincial parks,” brought to you by Ontario IBA Coordinator Amanda Bichel of Bird Studies Canada. Break out the champagne! We don’t often add new IBAs to the Canadian family of sites, so when we do, it’s a special occasion. The all-new Frontenac Forests Important Bird and Biodiversity…
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IBAs of Ontario Parks: Turkey Point and the Norfolk Forest Complex IBA
Welcome to the August installment of “IBAs in provincial parks,” brought to you by Ontario IBA Coordinator Amanda Bichel of Bird Studies Canada. Summer is a perfect time to talk about Turkey Point Provincial Park and the Norfolk Forest Complex IBA! These forests are known for supporting a rich breeding bird community, as well as an…
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Ecosystems and music
Not sure exactly what “ecological integrity” means? Today’s post from Park Biologist Shannon McGaffey explains how ecological integrity is like music. Synergy: the creation of a whole that is bigger than the sum of the individual parts If you are listening to a symphony, you are not listening to two violins, one piano, three flutes, etc.…
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The IBAs of Polar Bear Provincial Park
This installment of our 2017 blog series IBAs in provincial parks — brought to you by Ontario IBA Coordinator Amanda Bichel of Bird Studies Canada — is very “cool.” Welcome to our year-long blog series! For our inaugural spotlight, we are staying in the winter spirit and focusing on Ontario’s far north. That’s right: our worlds…