As the cold weather hits, opportunities to view a stunning array of fall colours are popping up around the province.
Ontario Parks is committed to making our parks as accessible as possible for visitors. If you’re planning a trip, we’ve rounded up a list of parks with accessibility features that are perfect for viewing the beauty of fall.
By the pricking of our thumbs, something wicked this way comes…
We’ve got tons of haunted Halloween events coming up! Find some stand-out spookiness below (and don’t forget to check out events page for late-breaking additions!).
Will you be visiting the ghosts of campers past this October?
In honour of Pride Month, Park Naturalist Jared Sanders takes us through some of the species that aren’t afraid to stand out in Pinery Provincial Park.
Every time I go for a hike at Pinery, whether alone or with visitors, I fall back in love with the scenic nature.
In the winter, the chilly blues and whites freeze the trees in a hauntingly beautiful sight. The deep viridian of cedars and pines serve as a reminder of just how much life is hiding away.
Spring heralds the sight of fresh growth. Starting with the mosses amongst the brown leaf litter, quickly followed by the vibrant greens of the ephemerals and new leaves.
Summer continues with visions of beachy days. The desert-like beige of the sand is only tamed by cool, refreshing cerulean from the lake or the emerald leaves above giving solace from the warm haze of the sun.
Fall lights the trees ablaze with hues of red, orange, and yellow. A warm goodbye to most of our wildlife as they prepare to hunker down or head south as things continue to cool.
Did you know our parks, moths, and Discovery staff were featured in an episode of TVOKids Leo’s Pollinators Explorer Club?
The series was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Children’s or Youth Non-Fiction Program or Series!
These awards are the Canadian equivalent to the Emmy Awards.
We caught up with our three Ontario Parks stars featured in this episode for an exclusive interview to learn more about their experience:
Continue reading Ontario Parks featured in CSA-nominated videos!
Today’s post comes from Habitat Stewardship Technician Justin Johnson from Pinery Provincial Park. Justin has a M.Sc. in biology with a focus on bird acoustics.
Birders are an interesting breed of people. Sometimes everything they do seems to subvert the norms of society.
Sleeping in? Rather not. Too much coffee? No such thing. $4500 binoculars? Yeah, I’ve seen it.
Birders’ bread and butter is local natural spaces and their trails. They can be very particular about which trails they walk. Seasoned birders often only use trails they perceive as “birdy,” neglecting those off their sacred path.
But how do we really know which trails are the “birdiest?”
In today’s post, Park Naturalist Nicole Guthrie discusses what makes a forest a forest, and the unique features of Pinery Provincial Park.
This week marks National Forest Week in Canada, making it the perfect time to discuss the astounding diversity of species and ecosystems in forests because there’s no such thing as “just a forest.”
Each forest has a unique combination of soil types, microclimates, and pollution levels, which all dictate which species can take up residence there.
If you’ve ever been to Pinery, you’ve likely enjoyed their beautiful forest.
But did you know it isn’t actually all forest?
A missing piece of Pinery Provincial Park’s biodiversity has recently been replaced!
After a long absence, the Mottled Duskywing butterfly (Erynnis martialis) is once again taking wing in one of Ontario’s busiest parks.
This is the story of how a small butterfly was lost and brought home again.
Spring is here at last!
Take some time this month to sit on the shoreline, listen to the lapping waves, and breathe in that sweet spring air!
This month’s FREE digital download comes from Pinery Provincial Park!
Throughout 2022, we’re sharing a free downloadable graphic for you to use as wallpaper for your favourite devices. We’ve specially sized these images for your computers, tablets, smartphones, and Facebook covers.
Today’s post comes from Alistair MacKenzie, Discovery Supervisor at Pinery Provincial Park.
Have you ever thrown a tangle of rope to the ground in a frustrated fit?
I used to, but then I was lucky enough to be exposed to the sport of rock climbing. In short order, I learned a few essential knots that have changed my life.
For some, it’s the song of summertime. For others, it’s the song that signals impending doom. It was part of what made Hank Williams (so) lonesome, but many consider its presence far too surrounding.
Whatever your interpretation, it’s easy to learn this bird’s classic “WHUP-poor-WILL” song.
Continue reading Saving the unseen: managing habitat for Eastern Whip-poor-will at Pinery
