Why is that a rule?

Excessive noise. Transporting firewood. Have you ever wondered why certain rules exist? Thought, research, and science go into the laws and policies that cover provincial parks and conservation reserves. And it helps to understand the rationale. Today, we’re sharing the logic behind a few of the rules our visitors ask us about most frequently:

The scavenger hunt for survival

Today’s post comes from Anna Scuhr, a naturalist with Lake Superior Provincial Park.  The arrival of snow and ice transforms the rugged landscape of Lake Superior Provincial Park into a stunningly beautiful, albeit unforgiving place to live. As temperatures drop, the park can accumulate up to six feet of snow in the interior. The snow … Continue reading The scavenger hunt for survival

The amazing journey of Ontario’s provincial tree

What is it about White Pine? No other tree species in Ontario seems to inspire as much reverence and passion. The history of White Pine is deeply intertwined with the history of people in Ontario. It has been an important species for Indigenous people for millennia, played a huge role in establishing Ontario’s cities, and … Continue reading The amazing journey of Ontario’s provincial tree

Squirrels for sale: the incredible history of squirrels at Rondeau

Today’s post is by Jess Matthews, the chief park naturalist at Rondeau Provincial Park. One hundred years ago, there was a lot we didn’t know about managing parks. The idea of maintaining ecological integrity is relatively new. Ontario’s first parks were primarily established for recreation and tourism. During the first half of the 20th century, … Continue reading Squirrels for sale: the incredible history of squirrels at Rondeau

Planning to visit us during fall colours? Start here.

The crisp air and morning frost that September brings get many Ontarians excited for the arrival of fall colours. And who can blame us? We would argue that Ontario is the most breathtaking place to enjoy autumn in all its stunning glory. If you’re planning a trip to take in the colours of the season, … Continue reading Planning to visit us during fall colours? Start here.

Dinosaurs in parks: the Lake Sturgeon

Today’s post comes from Christian Therrien, past Northwest Zone senior assistant ecologist. Most agree all dinosaurs went extinct 66 million years ago. However, looking into species found in parks reveals that some dinosaurs have indeed persisted and can be seen today! From the Snapping Turtle to the Silver Lamprey, remnants from this forgotten time are … Continue reading Dinosaurs in parks: the Lake Sturgeon

Invader alert! Help us stop the Spiny Waterflea!

This blog comes from Algonquin Provinical Park’s team of biologists and ecologists. Algonquin is a stronghold of headwaters. Most of our lakes are fed by cold, clean water that bubbles up from the ground. That water flows out of the park and feeds countless lakes and streams in southern Ontario. One of the goals in … Continue reading Invader alert! Help us stop the Spiny Waterflea!