Heard it from a Scout: Five summer camping safety tips
Scouts with their camping gear (Photo by Scouts Canada)
Summer is officially underway, and with it comes prime camping season. Scouting is all about connecting with nature and experiencing the exhilaration and challenge of outdoor adventures, such as hiking, rock climbing, paddle sports and, of course,...
NCC staff’s small acts of conservation
Wild bergamot being visited by a bee fly (Photo by Diana Bizecki Robson)
When it comes to nature conservation, a little can go a long way. Small-scale conservation efforts can have a huge impact and help ensure that we and future generations can enjoy our precious natural spaces. This spring, the Nature Conservancy of...
A thank you to a “fun” dad
My dad and me when I was 14 (Photo courtesy of Logan Salm/NCC intern)
There is something romantic about the solitude of nature. The sense of seclusion and the interconnectedness with the world around you is indescribable. I enjoy the proverbial “call of the wild” to be alone in nature as much as anyone,...
Nature-inspired gifts for Father's Day
Father and child by the lake (Photo by Laubenstein Karen, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Wikimedia Commons)
Father’s Day is just around the corner. If you're still on the hunt for something special to show your appreciation, why not give these nature-inspired gifts some thought? 1. For the gardener Help your dad introduce some plants with...
My plastic-free week
Reusable shopping bags (Photo by Raechel Bonomo/NCC staff)
When I made a pledge to myself to go a week without consuming any single-use plastic, I thought it was going to be a breeze. I was under the impression that if I simply declined the five-cent bag at the grocery store I would be in the clear. I...
Bidding farewell to National Poetry Month with a nod to science-inspired poets
Composite of book covers (Photo by Science Borealis)
Poets need scientists. And some might argue that scientists need poets. In the second semester of my master’s of fine arts program in writing (studying poetry and creative non-fiction), I began thinking about how a lack of basic scientific...
Naturalists notice nature - even in winter
There may be a lot more happening than meets the eye in the dead of winter (Photo by Dispatches from the Field)
For some, it is easy during cold, snowy days (when it’s supposed to be spring!) to curl up with a cozy blanket, a good book, and a hot cup of tea. But where does the wildlife go at this time of year? Sure, some animals migrate to where it is...
Home tweet home: Making a bird feeder
Eastern bluebird (Photo by Cameron Curran/NCC staff)
One of my favourite memories of my mother is of her sitting on the back porch of our new home, looking out into the backyard. With a cup of tea in hand, the sun lightly dancing on her face, she excitedly whispered to me, “Look! Do you see...
Dear Earth
If Earth had an email or postal address, what kind of messages would it receive? In 2013, a program was launched that assigned trees in Melbourne, Australia, with an individual email address. The program, which was originally intended for...
Earth Day 2018: Buddies, boundaries and nearby nature
Red trillium (Photo by Sherry Nigro)
Earth Day is a good time to think about the future. How do we ensure our children grow up healthy and happy? Research suggests that the answer is right outside our back door: help them connect with nature. Benefits of time in nature Spending...
