Tag: ecological integrity
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How to practice proper pumpkin etiquette in parks
Today’s blog comes from Discovery Program Project Coordinator Jessica Stillman. In the fall, if she isn’t outside with students learning about mushrooms or how animals prepare for winter, she’s inside baking up a pumpkin treat! Spooky season is upon us! It’s time for cobwebs, witches, and skeletons to adorn our lawns and porches. Who doesn’t love…
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How environmental health professionals keep our water safe
You’re all packed up and ready for another weekend outdoors. You’ve got your sleeping bags, full cooler, sunscreen, and swimsuit. Maybe you’ll fill your trailer’s water tank up once you arrive, a water container or two for the campsite, then head to the beach to cool off. But have you ever stopped to think about…
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Join us for Science Literacy Week 2022
Today’s blog comes from Jessica Stillman, School Outreach Coordinator at Bronte Creek Provincial Park. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words: counting, measuring, weighing, and calculating? For us, it’s connection!
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Monitoring birds in northern protected areas
Today’s article comes from our bird recording specialists, Zone Ecologist Ed Morris and Zone Operations Technician Rebecca Rogge. Birds are interesting. Most are visually striking, with noteworthy songs to match their brilliant feathers. They are also very important. Birds contribute to the health of our environment. They disperse seeds, pollinate plants, and help to control insect populations.…
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Worst of the worst: a naturalist's list of the most harmful types of litter
Today Yvette Bree, a Discovery Leader at Sandbanks Provincial Park for over 30 years, shares some thoughts about this season. I am pretty lucky: I live in a great country, a great province, and have enjoyed a career in a stunningly beautiful park. Usually my job is to inspire visitors to appreciate the natural world…
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Ecological integrity in southeastern parks
In today’s post, Protected Areas Intern Katelyn Vardy highlights a few of the projects that staff have completed to improve and maintain the ecological integrity in southeastern parks. When you’re standing in a favourite nature spot or within a park, it’s easy to embrace the beauty and calmness that surrounds you. While campers and day…
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Square bashes with the Breeding Bird Atlas
Today’s post comes from Anna Sheppard, an Assistant Ecologist for Ontario Parks’ Northeast Zone. I am admittedly not a morning person by nature — if I had it my way, I would sleep in every single day! But I am passionate about birds, and for just a couple of months each year I’m willing to…
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Ecological integrity at Neys Provincial Park
Today’s post comes from Jake Guggenheimer, past Discovery staff at Neys Provincial Park. Imagine you’re in a forest. What do you hear? The rustling of the trees in the wind. The birds chirping to each other. The flowing of a creek. What do you see? A flower starting to bloom. A chipmunk scurrying along the ground. The…