Canada in bloom: Rare treasures of Strathcona Provincial Park
Western columbine from Strathcona Provincial Park (Photo by mspringle, iNaturalist, CC BY-NC 4.0)
As a keen hiker, I spend much of my time gazing in wonder at some of the incredible views on offer across Canada’s magnificent hiking trails. From the awe-inspiring, snow-capped peaks of the Rockies, to the rugged coastline of western BC, it...
Family fun in winter: Show your love for nature this Valentine's Day and Family Day
Out for a snowshoe in Gatineau Parc, QC (Photo by DJ)
Imagine never having to hibernate again. Instead of watching endless movies, you could be out enjoying nature. Instead of spending countless hours on the computer or playing video games all weekend, you could be out getting fresh air and having...
Ode to a nature commute – part 2, winter
Nearly frozen over Bow River with downtown Calgary in background. (Photo by Gayle Roodman/NCC staff)
This is part two of a four-part series on bike commuting through nature. Read part one – fall here. What kind of wingnut would bike commute in the dead of winter, you ask? Well, this one does, and I’ll tell you why. I find winter...
7 physical activity resolutions…just in time for colder weather!
Snowman on frozen lake (Photo by Peritap, Wikimedia Commons)
There are so many ways to be active while enjoying winter and all it has to offer. Don’t let the dark evenings and chilly weather stop you! Commit to keeping up your healthy, active lifestyle with these tips and ideas. Resolve to make...
Just get out the door
Bluebird sky hike at -30 C. (Photo courtesy of Gayle Roodman/NCC staff)
Back in the day, I was a long-distance runner. When two knee surgeries forced me to finally hang up my Asics for good in 2005, I switched to cycling. And to fill in the gaps in my fitness regime, I threw in hiking, cross-country skiing or whatever...
Ode to a coworker
Emily Little (Photo by NCC)
After four years of working for the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s (NCC) Saskatchewan Region, my friend and colleague Emily Little has left our rectangular province, and I’m trying to come to terms with our failure to make her fall in...
Way up in the trees
NCC staff carefully balancing their steps on the canopy boardwalk at Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve (Photo by NCC)
The Nature Conservancy of Canada's (NCC's) Ontario regional staff visited the Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve in October 2019 as part of a staff conference focused on shared learning and team building. And what better way to bond with...
Conserving what we value
Children from Pelee Island Public School help collect seeds for restoration projects. (Photo by NCC)
It was my time to finally get my message across. About a 15 years ago, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) was beginning to purchase properties on Pelee Island, in Ontario. The community, however, was uncertain of conservation —...
Hiker meets hunter: An encounter with a snowy owl
A male snowy owl (Photo by Pixabay)
When I moved to Newfoundland in 2011, I was excited to explore the incredible landscapes of my adopted province. Even the most densely populated part of the province — the Avalon Peninsula near St. John’s — is still wild enough...
Reconnecting with nature, each other and ourselves
Exploring Yoho National Park (Photo by Kayla Burak/NCC staff)
There are many benefits to working for the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), but one of the more recently announced benefits might be my favourite: two paid nature days. When this new perk was announced, I’ll admit my first thought was...
