Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science!
Our scientists are absolutely integral to Ontario Parks, working as researchers, biologists, ecologists, and more!
Take a look at a few of our awesome women scientists:
Continue reading International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2022
In today’s post, Ecologist Corina Brdar shares the “best part of [her] job.”
I’m an ecologist for Ontario Parks. When people ask me what exactly it is that I do, I have a hard time answering – my job is so diverse and interesting.
So I like to give the example of my favourite job duty: doing winter track surveys for deer.
Today’s post comes from Rachelle Law, Discovery Leader at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.
Sleeping Giant is known for several things, one of them being our awe-inspiring views of the Sleeping Giant.
Another is our park cleaner nicknamed “Maw”, who retired from the park last year.
Working at the park for 39 years, Maw has become part of the true fabric of the park. She has left an extraordinary impact on the park, visitors and staff.
Continue reading The incredible legacy of Maw at Sleeping Giant
Today’s post comes from Megan Loucks, Discovery Leader at Pinery Provincial Park.
Have you ever been to Pinery Provincial Park?
Take a moment to think of your favourite spot. Is it the viewing platform along Riverside Trail? What about the boardwalk leading to the beach? Have you been to the top of the Nipissing Trail lookout?
Often we admire the beauty of the park’s natural wonders from boardwalks and lookouts, but have you ever wondered who built them?
Today’s blog is all about the man behind the boardwalks: Raymond Sheppard.
Continue reading The man behind the boardwalks: Ray Sheppard retires after 30 seasons at Pinery
While 31 provincial parks remain open for the winter, the rest hibernate until spring.
But closing a park isn’t as simple as just locking the gates. Our staff put a lot of elbow grease into prepping each park for the winter.
Here are just a few of the tasks we do each fall:
Continue reading What goes into closing a park for the winter?
Park experiences, just as sisters, vary greatly. Each has their own personality and experiences.
Today’s very special post comes from three sisters: Green student Elle Dresser from Fushimi Lake Provincial Park, Park Warden Libbey Dresser at Fairbank Provincial Park, and Park Warden Ivy Dresser at Wheatley Provincial Park.
Applications for our 2023 student jobs are open now! Learn more on our website.
Today’s post comes from Yvette Bree. Yvette has been the park naturalist at Sandbanks Provincial Park for 35 years and retires at the end of August this year.
1986. A year forever etched in my memory.
The year I graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Environmental Studies (B.E.S.) with a Resource Management option.
The year I was married to my high school boyfriend (still going strong).
And the year I got my first job with Ontario Parks.
Continue reading Beyond the beach: one naturalist’s 35-year-career at Sandbanks
Happy International Youth Day!
Students and youth are the lifeblood of our parks — we couldn’t do without them!
Here are just a few stand-out students and youth from around the province:
Ontario Parks staff tackle a huge array of tasks and challenges.
Our days are diverse. You might find us researching rare species, applying First Aid to injured guests, maintaining safe and healthy water systems, building a boardwalk, or welcoming families to a busy campground.
We’re stewards of our province’s most treasured natural resources. We’re educators, instilling a love of nature in new generations of Ontarians.
Internationally, World Ranger Day celebrates their wonderful work protecting our parks, and commemorates park rangers killed or injured in the line of duty in park organizations with high-risk activities.
We’re proud to keep our parks safe and welcoming to visitors, while protecting our amazing natural world.
In today’s post, Anna Winge-Breen shares her journey from childhood visitor to Algonquin Provincial Park Discovery Ranger.
We all have at least one childhood experience, so crisp and profound that it has become nearly inseparable from our identity.
A memory that is so deep in your heart, thinking of it brings you right back to a feeling of excitement so exuberant it could be felt only by a child.
For me, this memory is my summers spent in Algonquin.
