Rise of the clones

Today’s post comes from Cara Freitag, past park naturalist at Neys Provincial Park.

When I first sat down to write this post, I felt doubt about whether or not people would want to read it.

“Who cares about plant rhizomes? Why would anyone read that?” I asked myself.

Well, I care about plant rhizomes. After all, they’re the reason we have a forest!

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How to be a responsible mountain biker

Mountain biking is a great way to exercise and spend time surrounded by nature.

It can also have a huge impact on the environment.

We know Ontario Parks trails are a favourite among mountain bikers, so we wanted to share some of our best practices to protect where you bike.

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6 essential items to pack for your winter hike

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:

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A beginner’s guide to cross-country skiing

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.

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Ecological integrity at Neys Provincial Park

Today’s post comes from Jake Guggenheimer, past Discovery staff at Neys Provincial Park.

Imagine you’re in a forest.

What do you hear?

The rustling of the trees in the wind. The birds chirping to each other. The flowing of a creek.

What do you see?

A flower starting to bloom. A chipmunk scurrying along the ground. The sun shining through scattered clouds.

If you imagined yourself in Neys Provincial Park, the animals and plants you pictured are some of the most interesting flora and fauna around.

That’s because Neys is a protected natural area with a high level of ecological integrity.

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The ultimate Pinery challenge

In today’s post, Sarah Fencott, a naturalist at Pinery Provincial Park is sharing her journey to completing the ultimate Pinery challenge. The goal? To complete all ten trails at Pinery, including lookouts and extensions. 

Last year, my goal was to hike every trail before the end of the summer. I completed my goal with three days left in my contract.

This year, my goal was to hike all of the trails in one week. This worked out well, as we needed to do an infrastructure survey of the park trails anyway! By hiking three trails per day I had completed my goal within my first week back at work.

With my initial goal so easily achieved, I set my sights on a new challenge that would be harder than anything I had done in the park before: the Tour de Pinery.

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Bike and hike the Giant

In today’s post, Discovery Leader Rachelle Law answers a common question: “How do I get to the top of Sleeping Giant?”

Hiking up the Sleeping Giant and some of the tallest cliffs in Ontario can be quite the challenge, but the experience and the views are the ultimate reward.

One of the most commonly asked questions at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is: “How do I get to the top of the Giant?”

Most are surprised to hear the three different hiking trails that go up the Sleeping Giant are long and rated difficult. But it’s no reason to be discouraged, as navigating to the Giant is also possible, in part, by bike!

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“Giant” generosity

Our favourite natural spaces can move us. Scenic views, outdoor adventures, and breathtaking experiences all hold a special place in our hearts and minds.

Recently, one generous donor was so moved by the Kabeyun Trail at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park that they made a $25,000 donation to improve the trail.

Talk about “giant” generosity!

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Discovery and trails go together like peanut butter and jelly

In our “Behind the Scenes” series, Discovery Program staff across the province share a “backstage” glimpse of their favourite programs and projects. Today’s post comes from David Bree, Discovery Program Lead at Presqu’ile Provincial Park.

Trails and parks go together like (fill in your favourite pairing here: “like peas and carrots,” as Forrest Gump would say). Trails are arguably the most used recreational facility in our park system.

But trails don’t just happen; first a concept must be born.

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