Today’s post comes from Olivia Pomajba, a summer student at Rondeau Provincial Park.
A turtle hatchling making its way to water reminds us of the perilous journey we all face in life.
The world must seem incredibly vast to these centimetre-long hatchlings, and they face many challenges.
Salamanders are iconic and influential members of northern forest communities. As one of the most abundant vertebrates in eastern North American forests, salamanders are considered “keystone species” because of their disproportionate roles as predators and prey in regulating food webs, nutrient cycling, and contributing to ecosystem resilience-resistance.
In addition to fulfilling key ecological functions, amphibians are our modern-day “canaries in the coal mine,” serving as a measure of environmental health.
Continue reading The Spotted Salamander, harbinger of spring
Preserving ecological integrity is a priority for all of us here at Ontario Parks. But just what does ecological integrity look like? Algonquin Provincial Park Naturalist David LeGros explains…
When I start many of my evening programs at Algonquin, I often ask the audience if they like nature.
Usually I get a lot of hands up in the air, but there are always a few that don’t put their hands up. I tell those people, “You might be in the wrong place, because Algonquin is crawling with nature.” I know these folks may have not been paying attention to what I was saying or chose not to participate in my survey, but it always gets a laugh from the crowd.
However, this did get me thinking about why we go to parks over staying home or visiting a big city…
Continue reading How will I know ecological integrity when I see it?
One of the best parts about spring is that it offers some of the best viewing opportunities for two of Algonquin Provincial Park’s most famous mammals.
May has become famous for moose watching in Algonquin but April is prime time for viewing its smaller, toothier associate, the beaver.
Back in 1970, Canada, like much of the world switched over to using the metric system.
Really, it makes so much more sense than the imperial system; 10 units per one larger unit, instead of divisions of 12?
It’s time we at Ontario Parks made the switch.
Good news, campers! Our parks are implementing new ways to deter bears and other wild critters from making off with your dinner.
Read about which parks offer bear-resistant storage containers and how you can use them during your trips.
Today’s blog post comes from bird researchers Alex Sutton and Koley Freeman, PhD candidates at the University of Guelph.
In the world of Canada Jays, winter means one thing: it’s breeding season!
Canada Jays are common in Algonquin Provincial Park. Continuing a 55 year-old tradition, a dedicated team of researchers is monitoring breeding pairs. This is the longest study of its kind in the world!
With each passing year, more is learned about the breeding behaviour and life history of these remarkable birds.
Each year, biologists in Algonquin Provincial Park hear this question from at least one park visitor: “Why did the moose I saw have bald patches?”
In a bad year, there will be many inquiries.
During the long winter months, many of us get less “Vitamin N” than usual.
Yet contact with nature has been found to lower blood pressure, strengthen immune system, help prevent disease, and reduce stress levels.
Keen to spend time in nature with your family this March Break? Here’s a list of fun happenings across the province:
This blog comes from David Legros, a Natural Heritage Education Specialist at Algonquin Provincial Park, and lover of backcountry camping.
There you are, standing on the rocky shore of a lake. A windswept pine sits behind you, and a wild landscape before you. Welcome to backcountry camping!
