Not sure exactly what “ecological integrity” means? Today’s post from Park Biologist Shannon McGaffey explains how ecological integrity is like music. Synergy: the creation of a whole that is bigger than the sum of the individual parts If you are listening to a symphony, you are not listening to two violins, one piano, three flutes, etc. … Continue reading Ecosystems and music
In October 2015, the Algonquins of Ontario raised a totem pole overlooking Algonquin Provincial Park’s East Gate. An Algonquin elder carved it from an eastern white pine almost as old as the park. Their gift comes with a story.
We’re proud to announce the winner of this year’s Ontario Parks Ecological Integrity Award: Yvette Bree, our Natural Heritage Education Coordinator at Sandbanks Provincial Park! Yvette has given decades of dedicated, passionate service, protecting the ecological integrity of one of our busiest parks.
Today’s post comes from Laura Sagermann, a Natural Heritage Education leader from Bon Echo Provincial Park. Across Ontario, our provincial parks protect a wide range of diverse ecosystems and habitats from human impact, urban development and other environmental threats. However, this protected land is not immune to invasive species. These are non-native species that have been … Continue reading Downed trees become habitat for eastern red-backed salamanders
With Earth Day fast approaching, now’s the perfect time to talk about how our ecopassages are helping protect Ontario’s wildlife! You may have heard of wilderness corridors built for wildlife to cross over or under the TransCanada Highway. Ecopassages are mini versions of these, like a critter-sized subway tunnel passing under the road.
Matt Cunliffe started at Ontario Parks in 2006 and has spent over a decade working as a park interpreter and an assistant park planner, project lead for Operational Policy and Training. An avid trail user and self-proclaimed nature geek, when he’s not on the clock, you’re likely to find him onto a new discovery somewhere … Continue reading Hitting the trails? Know the etiquette before you go
Today’s post comes from Discovery and Marketing Specialist Dave Sproule. Migrating birds are already arriving along the edges of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, and many southern parks have birding events and festivals. But for most of the migrants, these parks are just a rest stop after crossing those big stretches of water. Their destination may … Continue reading The boreal forest: Ontario’s songbird nursery
Part of being a good pet owner and park visitor is cleaning up after your dog. “Stoop and scoop” is a phrase all pet owners have heard for decades, yet park staff are often asked, “Why do I need to pick up after my dog when wildlife poop does not need to be picked up?” … Continue reading The scoop on dog poop: why all scat is not the same
Today’s blog was written by Matthew Cunliffe, project lead for training and directive development with the Ontario Parks Operations Branch. Back in 2006, as an aspiring teacher, I found myself at the doorstep of a career that would shape me in ways I never anticipated. I had always been fascinated with the plants, birds, rocks, and … Continue reading How seizing every opportunity led me from student to project lead
Wasaga Beach Provincial Park is the busiest provincial park in the province, receiving over 1.5 million visitors every year! Home to the world’s longest managed freshwater beach, Wasaga boasts 14 km of pristine sand, which makes it a hot spot for summer activity. This also means that our park can get extremely busy, and often reaches … Continue reading How to plan your visit to Wasaga Beach Provincial Park
