In today’s post, Learning & Education Specialist Rachelle Law recounts Team Ontario’s push to find as many birds as possible.
Every year, a team of expert birders from Ontario Parks prepare — binoculars in hand — to compete in a heated competition.
The goal: spot and record as many bird species as they can over one weekend, and win the coveted “golden” binoculars.
Continue reading The annual birding battle for the golden binoculars
Today’s post comes from Natural Heritage Education Supervisor Alistair MacKenzie and Bat Stewardship Technician Heather Sanders.
Bats are the only mammal capable of true sustained flight, and with over 1,300 species and counting, they make up the second largest order of mammals.
Today’s post comes from Alistair MacKenzie, Discovery Supervisor at Pinery Provincial Park.
Have you ever thrown a tangle of rope to the ground in a frustrated fit?
I used to, but then I was lucky enough to be exposed to the sport of rock climbing. In short order, I learned a few essential knots that have changed my life.
In our second installment of a trip down memory lane, Interpreter, David Bree, regales us with his experiences at Bon Echo Provincial Park.
Catch the beginning of the nostalgia tour in the first installment:
Charleston Lake Provincial Park
When people ask me what was my favourite park to work at, I say without hesitation: Bon Echo.
This is as much due to circumstance as the obvious notable physical features and facilities of that park.
I worked at Bon Echo from 1992 to 1999 and went from senior interpreter to leader of the education program in my time there.
Today’s post comes from Mark Read, our Discovery leader at Murphys Point Provincial Park.
This blog is not going to be an identification guide; nor is it going to be packed full of mind-blowing facts.
Instead, it is more of a celebration of the fungal diversity found in Ontario.
I hope that along the way you’ll be encouraged to take a closer look at these fascinating organisms that play such a critical role in maintaining the ecological integrity of our parks!
Buckle up for the ride of a lifetime! Interpreter, David Bree, is about to take us on a journey down memory lane.
After 32 years, the end is near.
Hi, my name is David Bree and I have worked at Ontario Parks as an interpreter (also known as a park naturalist) for over half my life.
As I go through my final year as an Ontario Parks employee, I have embarked on a retirement nostalgia tour of the parks I worked at.
Continue reading The great OP retirement tour: Charleston Lake
Our night sky seems to be a fixture of perfection.
While the stars rise and set, and the sun, moon and planets do appear to move against the starry backdrop, little other changes are apparent.
However, that stillness does get punctuated from time to time by ghostly interlopers — the comets!
And right now, our eyes are fixed on Comet NEOWISE!
Today’s post comes from Rachel Gagnon, Ontario Parks’ Healthy Parks Healthy People Coordinator.
Did you know that nature can touch all our senses: sound, smell, sight, touch, and taste?
During these times when we can’t visit our favourite natural spaces, bringing pieces of nature home can help us experience some of its benefits.
So few things in the world stimulate our minds and bodies like nature does. It can soothe us, alleviate our stress, and put us in a better mood.
Here are some ways you can incorporate nature into your daily life through connecting to your five senses:
Continue reading How to use your senses to experience nature at home
Today’s post comes from David LeGros, park naturalist at Algonquin Provincial Park.
Even though our parks are currently closed, I’ve noticed people are continuing to submit observations to iNaturalist.
At first, I was a little worried that people were entering parks during the closure, but on closer inspection, I was pleasantly surprised.
Continue reading Armchair observations and sticking close to home
Family Day is the perfect opportunity to get your loved ones outdoors for a winter adventure.
Here are some exciting happenings at Ontario Parks this Family Day Weekend:
