Today’s post comes from Brianne Brothers, a zone ecologist from our southwestern parks.
Ah, snow. A substance that truly embodies what it means to be Canadian.
While many of us struggle with the idea of enjoying something that inflicts hard physical labour and white-knuckled driving, it truly is clean, fresh, and beautiful.
In that light, please grab a cup of coffee and a cozy window seat, and let’s explore the science of snow.
Did you know snowflakes come in all shapes and sizes?
Snowflake identification is a fun and easy way to get kids outdoors in the winter, and spark an interest in science.
Why not turn your next winter adventure into a lesson on snowflake identification?
If you’re reading this, you’re likely a human being with a core body temperature around 37ºC.
Your body works very hard to maintain this temperature. If it drops even a few degrees, moving, thinking, and other basic tasks become difficult. You will need to warm up quickly, or you may find yourself in a dangerous situation.
To prevent cold-related emergencies, it’s important to plan your winter adventures with care.
Our friends at Subaru Canada want to share the best ways to stay safe in cold weather:
In today’s blog, Helen McConnell, a marketing and communications specialist at Algonquin Provincial Park, explains what “SNOW” is and how SNOW data is used to protect our parks and the species that live here.
On a chilly Monday in March, I found myself snowshoeing with our park biologist, loudly crunching through the snow as we followed a “snow course” through through the hardwood forest.
Trail guide and cellphone and water in bottles,
Flashlight just in case your hike is a dawdle,
High energy snacks secured with drawstrings,
These are a few of our essential things… (can’t you just hear Maria von Trapp’s voice?)
A walk through a pine tree forest in crunchy snow can be dreamy, however your trip through a winter wonderland can go south quickly if you’re missing important items.
Being prepared with a few essentials in your bag will help keep you safe on your adventure. Here are six items that should always be in your day pack on a winter hike:
Continue reading 6 essential items to pack for your winter hike
The best part of winter?
Mother Nature debuts her annual colour palette, with shades of blue, grey, green, and white painted across the province.
This month’s FREE digital download comes from Sleeping Giant 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.
Picture this: you’re gliding through a glittering, snow-covered forest. You hear bird calls, and see signs of forest life all around you.
There’s no better way to enjoy winter at Ontario Parks than on a set of skis.
If you’re not a cross-country skier already, here are some beginner tips to get you started.
Park Information Specialist Jill Legault at Quetico Provincial Park recently took up skijoring. In today’s post, she shares her best advice for getting started with your pup.
If you love skiing and have a dog, skijoring can be a blast!
Before you “hike up,” here are answers to some of your most frequently asked questions about this fun winter activity:
Continue reading Learning to skijor: your questions answered
Are you hibernating this winter?
This year, you don’t have to go far to get some fresh crisp air.
Nature is right in your own backyard or local provincial park. Participate in some fun winter activities like making snowmen and snow angels, or looking at winter wildlife tracks!
Don’t let the Northern Shrike’s small size deceive you.
These little floofs are strict carnivores and will stealthily hunt anything of manageable size, including insects, mice, lizards, and other birds.
Northern Shrikes spend the breeding season in the far north, but can be found south of Thunder Bay and Sudbury during the winter, so watch for these masked predators warbling in shrubby habitats.
