Tag: Discovery Program

The long road to Lake Superior Provincial Park’s Dark Sky Preserve

Today’s post comes from Charlotte Westcott, a Discovery Program staff member at Lake Superior Provincial Park.

As the sun sets, the stars begin to appear. Like old friends, their familiar glow brings us home no matter how far away our house may be. Our friendly acquaintances, the constellations, trace their way across the sky. The white glow of the Milky Way emerges slowly to drown out its fainter neighbours.

Far away from the light pollution of major cities, Lake Superior Provincial Park’s night sky is one of the darkest in North America.

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Family friendly parks in the near north

Summer is here, and now’s the perfect time for a last minute family road trip!

During the busy summer months, the solution to finding your serene camping trip is heading north.  Here are a few near north parks we suggest visiting with your little ones.

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Summer star parties 2019

Humanity’s fascination with the celestial bodies dates back millennia.

And times haven’t changed.

Star parties and night sky events are held in our parks every summer, especially in northern Ontario, where there’s less light pollution.
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Behind the scenes: life as a Discovery Leader at Emily Provincial Park

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 Alexander Renaud, the Discovery Program Lead at Emily Provincial Park.

Seven years ago I applied to every job under the sun (as all university students do) and I finally got the call.

The only hiccup…I had never been to a provincial park before.

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Trailblazers of Ontario Parks interpretation

Last year marked Ontario Parks’ 125th anniversary: 125 years of campfires, hikes, nights under the stars, days at the beach, and unforgettable family memories of the countless visitors who use our beautiful park system.

This year marks two other important anniversaries – Rondeau Provincial Park’s 125th anniversary and 75 years of interpretation in Ontario Parks!

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Exploring the fear of the unknown

Today’s post comes from Olivia Pomajba, a summer student at Rondeau Provincial Park.

“I hold no terrors in these hands
I am but a vessel to unknown lands
There is nothing to fear but fear itself
Of what, the memory of love or wealth
You will take my hand, make no mistake
A new life starts as you awake.”

— Graham Jones, “Fear of the Unknown”

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Pinery goes to battle for bats

Today’s post comes from Natural Heritage Education Supervisor Alistair MacKenzie and Bat Stewardship Technician Heather Sanders.

Did you know Pinery Provincial Park has been a bat research hot spot for more than four decades? We’ve collaborated with research groups at York University, Western University and the University of Waterloo.

Much of what we know about Ontario bats — including their migration, diet, and behaviour — is all thanks to work done at Pinery.

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