Alison Lake or “Lakie” is an ecologist in our northeast zone, and has earned a reputation as a passionate promoter of ecological integrity.
She has an infectious love of the natural world and is rarely seen without her “bins” (binoculars) around her neck.
Continue reading 8 questions with an Ontario Parks ecologist
Today’s post comes from Madeline McNabb, a 2017 Discovery Ranger at White Lake Provincial Park.
We all dream of turning our passion into a job.
My chance came this past summer when I worked at White Lake Provincial Park as a Discovery Ranger.
The Discovery program aims to inspire curiosity in park visitors and encourage exploration of our natural environment. I made so many amazing memories this past summer. There are too many wonderful things I want to share!
After much deliberation, I have narrowed it down to five top reasons why I loved being a Discovery Ranger:
Continue reading 5 things I love about being a Discovery Ranger
Happy International Women’s Day!
At Ontario Parks, we simply couldn’t do without our women team members. They work as biologists, instructors, wardens, superintendents, planners, managers, and more.
Here’s the inside scoop on our staff:
Applications are for our 2024 season are now open! Read on to learn more about spending the summer with us.
Discovery rangers are the storytellers of Ontario Parks.
Roughly 300 Discovery staff work in over 60 parks across the province engaging visitors with stories of Ontario’s natural and cultural heritage.
Discovery rangers help our visitors experience the best of what Ontario Parks has to offer by facilitating experiences through educational and interpretive programming.
Piqued your interest? Learn more about how you can join our Discovery team. Continue reading Students: join our Discovery team this summer
Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science!
Our scientists are absolutely integral to Ontario Parks, working as researchers, biologists, ecologists, and more!
Take a look at a few of our awesome women scientists:
Continue reading International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2022
Today’s post comes from Rachelle Law, Discovery Leader at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.
Sleeping Giant is known for several things, one of them being our awe-inspiring views of the Sleeping Giant.
Another is our park cleaner nicknamed “Maw”, who retired from the park last year.
Working at the park for 39 years, Maw has become part of the true fabric of the park. She has left an extraordinary impact on the park, visitors and staff.
Continue reading The incredible legacy of Maw at Sleeping Giant
In today’s post, Sarah Fencott, a naturalist at Pinery Provincial Park is sharing her journey to completing the ultimate Pinery challenge. The goal? To complete all ten trails at Pinery, including lookouts and extensions.
Last year, my goal was to hike every trail before the end of the summer. I completed my goal with three days left in my contract.
This year, my goal was to hike all of the trails in one week. This worked out well, as we needed to do an infrastructure survey of the park trails anyway! By hiking three trails per day I had completed my goal within my first week back at work.
With my initial goal so easily achieved, I set my sights on a new challenge that would be harder than anything I had done in the park before: the Tour de Pinery.
Today’s post comes from Megan Loucks, Discovery Leader at Pinery Provincial Park.
Have you ever been to Pinery Provincial Park?
Take a moment to think of your favourite spot. Is it the viewing platform along Riverside Trail? What about the boardwalk leading to the beach? Have you been to the top of the Nipissing Trail lookout?
Often we admire the beauty of the park’s natural wonders from boardwalks and lookouts, but have you ever wondered who built them?
Today’s blog is all about the man behind the boardwalks: Raymond Sheppard.
Continue reading The man behind the boardwalks: Ray Sheppard retires after 30 seasons at Pinery
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 Rosemary Minns from Emily Provincial Park.
Emily Provincial Park is a lovely place. Plenty of docks to fish, beaches to swim, and large campsites. I was extremely excited to work as a Discovery student at Emily. There was one catch to this job…
…I had to learn to take care of a Snapping Turtle.
Continue reading Love at first snap: caring for Spike at Emily Provincial Park
Today’s blog comes from Carlin Thompson, a discovery leader at Sandbanks Provincial Park.
My name is Carlin, and I’m a struggling birder.
As an Ontario Parks Discovery leader, I am surrounded by colleagues with a passion for the natural world — which I share.
Many share a specialty in identifying birds — which I do not.
These are my confessions.
