We know that spending time in nature is good for us.
Sometimes, we just need a little push to get outside and feel the effects!
That’s why on July 15, we are offering a variety of activities in parks across the province in celebration of Healthy Parks Healthy People Day.
All parks that normally charge a day-use fee will be offering free entry so you can enjoy the benefits of being in nature.
Fishing is an iconic Canadian pastime. There’s nothing like spending the day by the water with your friends and family, casting a line and enjoying the great outdoors.
But did you know you can get more than a killer catch from a day of fishing? Fishing actually has benefits for your physical and mental health.
Here are a few ways fishing can improve your overall well-being.
Today’s post is a polite rant from Quetico Provincial Park’s Librarian Jill Sorensen.
We seem to constantly hear about expedition-style trips. Grunt narratives where people have broken speed records, paddled the longest distances, or have been “the first” to complete a route. The blisters. The sleep deprivation. The endurance.
And that is fine. I have no problem with kilometre tracking or race attempts. But if you insist on measuring all of your trips, may I suggest that you count something else? Something that instead connects you to the landscape, or a piece of cultural history.
A little less pace. A little more place.
Here are some suggestions of other things to count:
Just when we thought nothing could top the “good for you” news about chocolate…
…research shows that paddling is good not only for our physical health, but for our mental health as well!
Here are some of the benefits that will have you reaching for your paddle:
In today’s post, Discovery Leader Carlin Thompson from Sandbanks Provincial Park shares her top tips for nature journaling with kids.
We did it, parents! We made it through another winter.
The struggle of tackling young children into layered outerwear and the scavenger hunts for matching mittens now seem like a distant memory. What sweet relief.
But before the unbridled joy of shucking the outerwear gives way to sunscreen-application-induced carpal tunnel and the din of summer boredom, let’s capitalize on our children’s excitement to be outside.
Continue reading Open eyes, open mind: nature journaling with kids
It’s essential to instill a love – and respect – of the outdoors in our children. It’s something we can’t start too early.
Recent research shows that if you give kids (aged five to ten) an immersive experience in nature, it will lead to a lifelong love for the environment and a sense of stewardship for the earth. You’ll also likely produce more creative thinkers!
Algonquin Provincial Park Biologist Alison Lake offers these tips on how to raise environmentally conscious kids in an increasingly urban and regulated world:
Continue reading How to raise environmentally conscious kids
Birdwatching is a time-honoured tradition that many people enjoy today, offering the opportunity to switch off from the modern world and get back to nature.
Whether you’re simply investing in a bird feeder for your backyard or going for a walk in your local park, birding is beneficial to both your mind and body.
It is renowned for being a meditative exercise where you are fully present in the moment.
Continue reading Birding with benefits: therapeutic benefits of bird watching
Today’s blog post comes from Ecologist Corina Brdar. When Corina’s not working at Ontario Parks, she is actively involved in the growing nature journaling and mindfulness community.
It seems the term “mindfulness” is showing up everywhere in our lives these days. It can be a tricky concept to try out in your everyday life, though. An easy place to give it a try is in nature.
At the very least, some mindful time in nature can allow your busy brain a moment of rest and your nervous system an opportunity to hit pause. It can also bring a new richness to your outdoor experiences.
So what is mindfulness, and how do you “do” it in nature?
Continue reading This mindfulness moment brought to you by nature….
The research is clear: spending time in nature improves our physical, mental and social well-being.
Yes. Even when it’s cold outside.
Ready for a healthier 2023? We chatted with parks planner Will Kershaw to find out how he stays fit and healthy during the winter months. These are his top tips:
This winter, outdoor activities are a great option to keep you happy and healthy. It’s the perfect time to try something new – like snowshoeing!
For any winter activity, planning ahead and a bit of research can go a long way to make sure your day is safe and fun!
So what does a beginner snowshoer need to know?
