Category: Ecological Integrity

Keeping tabs on turtles in Southeastern Ontario

Over the years, Ontario Parks staff have created many blogs about turtles, their significance to the Ontario landscape, and why it’s important that we protect and support them.

You may even be familiar with our Turtle Protection Project! With seven of the eight turtle species found in Ontario being species-at-risk under the Ontario Endangered Species Act, 2007, we like to give them all the support and attention we can.

Well, today’s post is all about this season’s turtle protection efforts in our Southeast Zone, including a new project that was started this year…

Introducing Team Turtle!

Continue reading Keeping tabs on turtles in Southeastern Ontario

9 tips for eco-friendly Halloween decor

Many campers like to jump into the Halloween spirit by decorating their campsites.

But certain decorations can be harmful to the environment.

Here’s how you can create a super spooky campsite AND protect Ontario’s ecological integrity at the same time.

Continue reading 9 tips for eco-friendly Halloween decor

Don’t dump that yard waste!

You’ve finished cleaning up your yard and now have a pile of branches and leaves to dispose of.

Sending organic materials to the dump may cost you money and increases the amount of methane released into the atmosphere.*

Wouldn’t it make sense to take it to a local green space to decompose naturally?

While we understand how people might think this is a good idea, yard waste that has been dumped in our protected areas puts park habitats at risk.

Read on to find out why.

Continue reading Don’t dump that yard waste!

Slithering into fall: hibernation for Ontario’s reptiles

Today’s post was written by seasonal student Heather Van Den Diepstraten from Rondeau Provincial Park.

It’s not just students and birds on the move this fall.

As the cold weather approaches, reptiles are trekking across Rondeau Provincial Park in search of hibernacula (places in which wildlife overwinter). Researchers for Wildlife Preservation Canada are busy tracking the movements of snakes, turtles, and skinks within the park as they find suitable habitat for their hibernation.

Continue reading Slithering into fall: hibernation for Ontario’s reptiles

Considerate Camper: keep our trees healthy

Welcome to our “Considerate Camper” series. These are posts with tips and reminders on how to keep our provincial parks clean and healthy. Already know how it’s done? Please share these posts along for less-experienced campers 🙂

We’re taking a leaf out of the Lorax’s book and speaking for the trees today!

When maintaining our campgrounds, we often notice marks in our trees. Many are from axes and nails, and plenty of trees have names, shapes and initials carved across their bark.

Did you know these holes and gouges risk the tree’s health and may result in its destruction?

Continue reading Considerate Camper: keep our trees healthy

Planning to visit us during fall colours? Start here.

The crisp air and morning frost that September brings get many Ontarians excited for the arrival of fall colours.

And who can blame us? We would argue that Ontario is the most breathtaking place to enjoy autumn in all its stunning glory.

If you’re planning a trip to take in the colours of the season, here’s everything you’ll need to know before you go!

Continue reading Planning to visit us during fall colours? Start here.

Why do we leave dead trees in the forest?

Today’s post comes from Sheila Wiebe, a marketing and development specialist at Bronte Creek Provincial Park.

Provincial parks are all about protection.

We protect significant natural ecosystems and habitats while offering many outstanding and sustainable recreational opportunities for the people of Ontario.

This isn’t always an easy task. Invasive species have challenged our ecosystem management, knowledge, and skills. Keeping an area safe for park visitors while allowing natural processes to happen can be challenging.

This is especially true for managing our forests. We are often asked by our visitors: why do you leave fallen, dead trees in the forest?

Continue reading Why do we leave dead trees in the forest?

Bark if you love nature!

Today’s blog comes from Ontario Barks’ Activities Director. 

We all know the excitement that builds in your chest when you feel the car pull off the highway, gently rolling up to the gatehouse of your favourite park.

As your person navigates parking, a dance takes over the back half of your body, with your tail bopping out a lively beat.

But I’m here today to talk about what happens next, when the car shuts off and they turn to you and ask, “Are you ready to go?” 

As Activities Director of Ontario Barks, it is my job to ensure you are on your leash when your adventure begins.

Continue reading Bark if you love nature!

Fourth graders become species-at-risk superheroes!

Parks alone are not enough to save species at risk.

As we’ve continued our species-at-risk blog series this summer, we’ve been able to share stories of the amazing species that call parks home and the work being done to protect them.

Now we want to introduce you to the newest team of superheroes taking up the charge across Ontario – grade 4 students!

Continue reading Fourth graders become species-at-risk superheroes!

5 ways to keep ecological integrity in mind this fall

Ecological integrity can be a tricky concept to nail down.

But in the simplest terms, it means keeping nature — and all of its component parts — whole.

Planning to visits our parks this fall? Here are the top five ways to keep ecological integrity in mind during your visit:

Continue reading 5 ways to keep ecological integrity in mind this fall