Reminiscing about nature in Dhaka
Montreal in April (Photo by Syeda Zareen Rafa/NCC staff)
I arrived in Montreal from Dhaka, Bangladesh, in August 2019, equal parts excited and nervous to start a new chapter of my life in a completely new city. It has been a while since then, and Montreal has seen me through my undergrad at McGill...
Sparrows, sparrows, everywhere!
Harris's sparrow (Photo by Mhairi McFarlane/NCC staff)
I must admit to having a bit of a soft spot for sparrows. Often overlooked by people, and underappreciated by many, written off as “just” sparrows by birders, or “just” a brown bird by people in general, I think they do...
Native plants look different across Canada
My garden has come a long way in two years! (Photo by Jaimee Morozoff/NCC staff)
As my colleague Wendy mentioned in her blog post, native plant gardening is full of trials and tribulations. Depending on where you live in Canada, sometimes the “typical” native plant looks quite different. Across the Prairie...
For the love of our landscapes
Part of a naturalized lawn where goldenrods are in the foreground (Photo by Chelsea Vieira)
For so long, most western societies have valued groomed lawns and manicured gardens; those considered beautiful for their lack of weeds, crisp edges and often symmetrical landscaping. Having lived in urban areas most of my life, it wasn't until...
Healthy forests are gifts that keep on giving
A forested path (Photo by Mariam Qureshi)
Have you ever been in the forest and felt a sense of peace? If so, then you know the importance of the forest to human health. But the forest is more than just a place to get away from it all; it is a vital ecosystem. A healthy forest provides...
Close encounter with a barred owl
Barred owl at night (Photo by Quincin Chan/NCC staff)
This blog was written by Damien Cheung (with the help of his mom, Quincin Chan). I went to Arrowhead Provincial Park in Ontario for the Fire and Ice Night event with my family on a weekend in January and stayed in a cabin in the park. We had...
And owl…will always…love you!
A barred owl perched on scaffolding on a roof that’s being re-done. (Photo by Rebecca Clarke)
As an avid nature lover, I am constantly in awe of the beauty and diversity of the natural world, but there's one species that holds a special place in my heart: barred owl. Have you ever heard the distinctive call of a barred owl at night and...
Hop into the new year with these Canadian lagomorphs
Eastern cottontail (Photo by Alain Mochon, CC BY-NC 4.0)
Rabbits are one of the most easily observed species in my suburban neighbourhood. Even during winter here in southern Ontario, you can find hints of their presence. My two young kids gleefully alerted me to a set of eastern cottontail tracks...
1000th balloon in the Grand Bend area
Monarch butterfly perched atop a cigarette butt (Photo by Lynn Tremain)
My name is Lynn Tremain. I live in Grand Bend, Ontario, on the shore of beautiful Lake Huron. I have become a full-fledged plastic/garbage picker. How did this happen? I am not proud to admit that plastic grocery store bags, acquired from online...
Reciprocity in our relations
Group of Conservation Volunteers at the Red Deer Fence Pull event (Photo by NCC)
When we think about the relationships we have in our lives, it is easy to think about our family and friends. These are people who we can talk to and who we associate with love and happiness. When you think about the relationships in your life,...
