Connection and conservation during COVID-19
Exploring Burntcoat Head Park in Noel, Nova Scotia. (Photo by Kyle Erickson)
A year ago, my husband and I sold our house, packed up everything we owned — including two cats — and relocated from Edmonton to Halifax. Between new jobs, a new home and a new city, we didn’t have a lot of time to get involved...
Getting pushy in a puddle
Two American robins refusing to share a puddle (Photo by Janis Turner)
This is the story of two American robins not very successfully sharing one road puddle for bathing. I observed this down by the front street from my condo, and the sun was just up over the buildings in the east. I heard a lot of robin activity...
Nature therapy (part four): Homeschooling in nature
The Sandersons are a nature-loving family (Photo courtesy of Amy Sanderson)
As engagement manager, I have the great privilege of exploring Saskatchewan and meeting many new people along the way. Every Conservation Volunteer holds a special place in my heart, and getting to know them and learn from them is one the best...
Nature therapy (part three): Sit spots, sound walks and yoga
Water lily in a pond (Photo by Pexels, CC0)
Connecting with nature, even for five minutes a day, can have tremendous benefits for your health and wellness while helping to reinforce positive new habits. Nature is quiet and resilient and provides an opportunity for us to re-connect with...
How spending time in nature benefits your baby’s gut health
Sleeping infant (Photo by Daisy Laparra from Pexels)
Being close to nature has motivated my life choices — where I live and how I spend my free time. In these times of COVID-19, where I work is now where I live, and I am lucky to live on a ravine in one of Edmonton’s natural areas, as...
Monarch migration reflections
One of the millions of monarchs I saw in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacán, Mexico (Photo by Alberto Becerra)
I am an immigrant to this country, as are most people across this diverse continent with such a complex history. In fact, all who are not indigenous to this land are immigrants. When I was just a toddler, my family and I immigrated to Canada from...
Nature therapy (part two): Expressive art therapy
Rose, Maymont, SK (Photo by Don Dabbs)
In part one of our nature therapy series, we heard from a Regina-based mom and social worker about how nature-based art projects have helped her tap into the creative side of her mind and how the experiences have benefitted her mentally during...
To leash or not to leash — should that even be a question?
Winona enjoying some off-leash time at a dog park. (Photo by Samantha Cava)
From one dog lover to another, there is nothing better than seeing your canine companion happy in nature without the constraints of a leash. Whether it is running freely in an open meadow, jumping over boulders or zig zagging through trees, there...
A peak experience at Buffalo Pound
Buffalo Pound Lake, SK (Photo by Bill Armstrong)
Many Canadians, I think, perceive Saskatchewan to be one billiard table-flat, never-ending field of wheat. Not so. To prove my point, I recently made a second visit to a property at Buffalo Pound Lake, where the Nature Conservancy Canada (NCC) is...
Nature therapy (part one): Nature-based art is about more than just art
Leaf printing. (Photo by Sage Yathon)
In a world full of change and unknowns, we can find ourselves looking for inspiration and positive outlets. There is one thing that is constant and can heal us: nature. Building and maintaining a relationship with nature can have many positive...
