In today’s blog, Helen McConnell, a marketing and communications specialist at Algonquin Provincial Park, explains what “SNOW” is and how SNOW data is used to protect our parks and the species that live here.
On a chilly Monday in March, I found myself snowshoeing with our park biologist, loudly crunching through the snow as we followed a “snow course” through through the hardwood forest.
Today’s blog post was written by Jessica Stillman, school outreach coordinator and maple syrup aficionado at Bronte Creek Provincial Park.
Maple season is upon us!
Trees have been tapped, sap is boiling, and Bronte Creek’s annual Maple Syrup Festival is underway, which means the biggest annual debate has also begun…
…which is the better form of maple candy: taffy or sugar?
Getting outdoors in Ontario this winter may be brisk, but it comes with a whole host of benefits for your mood and health.
The winter season notoriously brings cold weather, shorter days, and too much time cooped up indoors. It can even trigger a form of depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
All the more reason not to hibernate!
Let’s look at some of the very real mental health benefits of the outdoors during the winter season:
Continue reading Mental health benefits of getting outside this winter
Nature looks completely different under a glittering blanket of snow. Why not strap on some snowshoes and experience Ontario Parks in a whole new way this winter?
Check out some winter parks with top-notch snowshoeing opportunities:
Today’s post comes from Natural Heritage Education Leader David Bree at Presqu’ile Provincial Park.
With the onset of winter, we often think of nature going into a slumber, but while she slows down, there is still lots going on outside. Winter provides a better opportunity to learn what the animals of our fields and forests are up to than do the warmer seasons.
I am, of course, talking about tracking, tracking in the snow.
Today’s post was written by Connor Oke, a marketing intern at Ontario Parks, using information provided by Mark Read, a senior Discovery ranger at Murphys Point Provincial Park.
If Canada is known for one thing, it’s for our long, cold winters.
Wild animals rely on evolution and natural adaptations to survive until spring. The strategies they’ve developed are varied and, simply, incredible.
Here are six species, sporting six different ways Ontario Parks’ wildlife makes it through the winter:
Continue reading How 6 species at Ontario Parks survive the winter
Ready for a day of cross country skiing? Preparing your skis properly can make a big difference in whether you have a fun outing – or a frustrating one.
Peter Crooks, the trail manager for Kamview Nordic Ski Centre in Thunder Bay, has been cross-country skiing for nearly half a century.
Here are his top 7 tips on how to “read” the snow and use the right waxes for your classic skis:
Continue reading Tips from a trail manager: prepping for the perfect cross-country ski day
Today’s post comes from Isabella Schives, a Senior Park Clerk from Rushing River Provincial Park.
Now that the seasons have changed and snow blankets the ground, the natural beauty of this vibrant and popular summertime park takes on an incredible transformation.
Icicles begin hanging from trees and buildings, fresh snow crunches underneath your feet, and the brisk, cold air provides a refreshing feeling with every breath.
Each step takes you further away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life as you relax into the tranquility and peace of wintertime at Rushing River Provincial Park.
Continue reading Winter adventures at Rushing River Provincial Park
Staying active in the winter isn’t always easy. For some of us, it’s tempting to stay in, cuddle up, and spend the long winter months binging Netflix under a warm blanket.
Cross-country skiing boasts a wide array of benefits for your physical and mental health. Here’s why you should strap on some skis and spend your winter gliding through frozen forests and snow-covered trails:
This one’s been brewing for a while.
An epic showdown.
A frosty rivalry.
A battle between wintry giants.
Finally, we put the question to you, our visitors: which park, Algonquin Provincial Park or Arrowhead Provincial Park, is the winter destination park in the region?
Which one deserves the title of The Big A?
