It’s getting a bit cold, there’s not much food anymore, and Black Bears are thinking seriously about having a long nap.
Black bears in Ontario Parks start heading to the den by mid-October.
We know you have questions about Black Bears’ big sleeps, so let’s go through for FABQs (frequently asked bear questions):
Today’s post comes from naturalist Laura Penner of Rondeau Provincial Park.
Every Halloween, we are bombarded with spooky images: haunted houses, cemeteries, dark nights, deserted roads and — of course — bats!
Imagine walking through the forest during a nice sunny day. You hear birds chirping, see the fall colours rustle in the breeze, and watch squirrels gathering food. We stop; we take pictures; we enjoy.
Now take that same trail at dusk.
You just had a flash of danger.
Protected areas are fascinating places.
If you’re lucky, during your visit you may spot a wide variety of wildlife who call these parks home.
However, you may not always see healthy animals.
In these natural spaces, you could see animals that look sick, injured, or orphaned. We know you want to help wildlife, but helping wildlife means keeping your hands off! Continue reading Hands off park wildlife!
In today’s post, Algonquin Provincial Park‘s Assistant Superintendent David LeGros helps us celebrate a big milestone for community scientists around the province!
For over five years now, Ontario Parks has been encouraging park visitors to submit their observations of nature — everything from plants, animals, and fungi — to our community science project in iNaturalist.
Over the Thanksgiving weekend, we surpassed 500,000 observations of 10,325 species by 11,688 observers — a fantastic feat!
Our visitors really like submitting observations.
I tip my Tilley hat to you all.
Continue reading An iNaturalist milestone: 500,000 observations!
Today’s post comes from Laura Myers, Past Senior Park Interpreter of Neys Provincial Park.
Driftwood – it makes a great bench to watch the sunset, a balancing beam to play on, or that perfect element to your photograph.
There’s something about driftwood that gives beaches that rugged beauty factor. Walking on a beach, listening to the waves and the birds, and looking at the different pieces of driftwood can be wondrous and relaxing.
Has a piece of driftwood ever caught your eye and made you wonder where it originally came from? How it got that far up the beach? The size of the wave that put it there? What species of tree or how old it is?
Each piece of driftwood has its own journey and its own story. But its story isn’t over when it washes up on the beach.
What do turtles and reusable water bottles have in common? More than you might imagine.
Turtles need our help, and we’ve partnered with our friends at Chilly Moose (and their reusable bottles) to help meet the challenge! Continue reading Turtles love water (bottles!)
A new invasive species threat is closing in on Ontario, and we’re calling on you (yes, you!) to help keep it at bay.
Spotted Lanternfly threatens many of our native tree species, including maples, poplars, pines, and cherries. Grape vines are also susceptible to this pest.
We need our community scientists around the province to report sightings of the Spotted Lanternfly’s partner-in-crime: Tree of Heaven.
Calling all teachers…
Ontario is one huge place. Most of us spend the majority of our time in one small section of the province.
But there is a vast expanse waiting to be explored.
We’ve partnered with Canadian Geographic for something big. GIANT, you could say.
We’re excited to unfold the Ontario Parks Giant Floor Map, and explore it with students across the province.
If you’re new to Ontario Parks, you might be a little nervous about the animals that call our parks home.
Many of us live in cities or suburbs, with little interaction with wildlife, so we don’t know how to react or behave. We want your parks experience to be fun and safe, both for you and for the wildlife that live here.
Today, let’s talk about:
Continue reading What types of wildlife might I see at Ontario Parks?
