Happy World Wetlands Day!

Oscar Lake, Northwest Territories by D. Langhorst, Ducks Unlimited

Every year on February 2, the world celebrates the ecological integrity and sustainable use of wetlands around the globe. World Wetlands Day has been recognized in more than 120 countries since the signing of the Wetlands Convention in Ramsar, Iran on February 2, 1971.

Canadians can be especially proud when it comes to their water.

More surface freshwater is held within Canada than any other country. The vast majority lies within the Boreal Forest, stretching from Newfoundland to the Yukon. All this water, coupled with the Boreal forest’s compact growing season, makes it a haven for all wildlife, particularly birds.

In one of the world’s largest migrations, billions of birds migrate from the Boreal forest to wintering grounds in the United States and the tropics, returning each spring to nest. More than 300 species, including large portions of the global population of many species, nest and breed in the Boreal forest largely because of the region’s abundant wetlands and undammed waterways.

Rusty Blackbird breeds in the Boreal forest. It's facing a 90% population decline. Photo: Jeff Nadler

Water is the defining element of the Boreal forest. Lake Superior, the world’s largest freshwater lake, receives most of its water from the Boreal forest. The Mackenzie river, Canada’s wildest big river that stretches over 4,200 kilometers, is also the Boreal forest’s longest river.

The rivers, lakes, swamps, bogs and marshes of the Boreal not only host billions of birds, but also play a critical role in stabilizing the Earth’s climate. The Boreal’s  ice-locked and water-saturated forests and peatlands, and sediments in its lakes and deltas, are some of the largest storehouses of carbon on the planet. They take up and release greenhouse gases, making them key regulators of climate through their role in the global carbon cycle.

But the Boreal forest is under pressure from industrial development and climate change.

Birds at Risk: The Importance of Canada’s Boreal Wetlands and Waterways, examines the impact of industrial expansion on three natural areas in the Boreal that are critical for birds. Produced by Nature Canada, Boreal Songbird Initiative, and Natural Resources Defense Council, the report examines the importance of Canada’s wetlands and waterways for birds and highlights conservation opportunities to save Canada’s freshwater and the billions of birds that depend on it. Read the full report.

Stay tuned for excerpts from Birds at Risk in the coming weeks as we explore the importance of the Boreal forest for birds and people.

Want to take action to protect Canada’s water bodies today? Show your love for your favorite water body by signing our Love My Lake Declaration!

With excerpts from A Forest of Blue - Canada's Boreal Forest: The World's Water Keeper.

Announcing the Winners of our Hug-a-Tree Contest!

In honour of the International Year of the Forest, Nature Canada challenged our supporters to show their love for trees by sharing their tree-hug themed photos in our Hug-a-Tree contest. 

We are thrilled to have received over 330 awesome entries. Now the time has come to share the winning photos! Check out our slideshow of the winners from each category and visit the Hug-a-Tree gallery to see all the awesome entries. 

Our lucky winners have received great prizes like a gift basket of Boreal Forest Teas, a collection of endangered species games courtesy of Anouk's Ark and an Apple iPad. Thank you to everyone who entered the contest and congratulations to the winners!

Trivia Tuesdays: From the Biggest Nest to the Deepest Diver

Is the arctic tern Canada's bird with the longest migration? Find out by taking the quiz.

We're back for the second edition of Trivia Tuesdays, where we test your knowledge of Canadian species.

This week, we're picking your brain about birds. Without further ado, here are the questions:

1. Which bird builds the biggest nest?

a) bald eagle
b) osprey
c) great blue heron
d) sandhill crane

2. Which bird is our deepest diver?

a) common loon
b) gannet
c) puffin
d) thick-billed murre

3. Which bird has the longest migration?

a) Bonaparte's gull
b) arctic tern
c) semipalmated sandpiper
d) snow goose

Find out how you scored!

More trivia.

January Photo of the Month

This photo was added to the Nature Canada Flickr Group by Brenda Hartley-Foubert. Thank you for sharing your love for nature, Brenda!

A common visitor to many yards in central and eastern North America, the Blue Jay is known for its intelligence and noisy calls. With a high crest, black, blue and white plumage, it is a fairly large songbird with a fondness for acorns.

Strangely, the Blue Jay’s migration patterns are not consistent and are not well understood. Blue Jays will stay put throughout the winter in all parts of their range, but some birds will migrate south. However, birds that migrate south one year, are just as likely not to migrate the following winter.

Cool Fact: Their fondness for acorns is credited with helping spread oak trees after the last glacial period. (Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology)

Do you love this photo? Put it on your desktop!

Dangerous High-Wire Act: Birds Face Collisions with Power Lines from Northern Gateway Project

Black Oystercatcher, Shutterstock

Public hearings continue as Canadians voice their concerns about Enbridge's proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline. In addition to the roughly 4,000 citizens who have signed up to take part, thousands have also written letters to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other elected officials with a clear message that this pipeline is not in the public's interest.

That certainly holds true for B.C.'s wildlife too.

Last week, I summarized the risk that artificial lights – from tankers, towers and other infrastructure – pose to marine and migratory birds. But there’s another highwire hazard B.C.’s birds could face: Collisions by birds with power lines are a cause of mortality in many species.

In written evidence submitted by Nature Canada and BC Nature to the joint review panel, we highlighted a few of the many studies that show this risk:

A review by Golder Associates (2009) notes that "fatal impact from transmission lines have been recorded in 350 species of birds worldwide and in some cases the level of fatalities are speculated to have contributed to declines in local and regional bird populations.”

In another 2005 review of avian collisions, Erickson et al. summarized that “waterfowl including ducks, geese, swans, cranes, and shorebirds appear to be most susceptible to collisions when powerlines are located near wetlands.”

A 2010 review published in Bird Conservation International examined the issue at a global scale and concluded that “many large ... wetland birds and some smaller, fast-flying species are prone to colliding with overhead wires... waterfowl, shorebirds... are among the most frequently affected avian groups and collision frequency is thought to be an influential factor in ongoing population declines in several species.”

Similarly, a 2001 study for Prince Edward Island Energy Corporation noted that “birds that fly fast in tight flocks at low altitudes such as waterfowl and shorebirds appear to be particularly susceptible to collisions with wires ... raptors are also frequent victims of wire kills.”
Wires as collision hazards are especially important where raptors, like bald eagles, concentrate – places like salmon streams, or migration and staging areas. Young birds learning to fly are also particularly vulnerable.

The Kitimat estuary and marine waters, where Enbridge proposes to establish its port for oil tankers, is just the kind of migration and staging area that should be avoided. Yet despite overwhelming evidence that collisions with wires can be a significant cause of mortality in marine birds, Enbridge dismisses the issue as so rare as to not merit attention.

None of the so-called "key indicator" species -- those species that, in Enbridge’s view are representative enough of all marine birds to be included in their impact studies -- were shorebirds, yet it is shorebirds in particular that face danger from collisions with wires.

As the rhetoric grows and the heat rises on this highly contentious project, it’s important that those without a voice of their own – B.C.’s marine wildlife – are not forgotten. You can lend your voice to the cause by sharing your opinions with Canada’s Prime Minister.

Connect with Nature: Go Winter Camping

Winter camping photo by Sam Glover

Are you looking for a new way to connect with nature this winter? Why not try winter camping! It may sound crazy, but camping at this time of year offers a unique outdoor adventure and a great opportunity to put your survival skills to the test. Winter weather can also make it easier to hike to a pristine camp site as lakes and ponds are often frozen. With that said, winter camping does require special precautions, so you’ll want to do your homework before heading out. Here are a few things to remember when planning your trip: 

Choose the right location: Winter camping can be a great way to experience many popular national or provincial parks without all the summer crowds. However it can require a rigorous trek through the snow, so it’s important to camp somewhere that suits your skill level. If you’re a beginner, consider renting a yurt or spending a night in your backyard to test the elements.  

Wear lots of layers: It goes without saying that you will need warm clothing, but it’s not enough to wear a heavy jacket. Wearing lots of layers is the best way to stay warm. This will make it easier to adjust your body temperature as your activity level or the outside temperature changes.
 

Quinzhee photo by Pascal Henrard

Create a winter proof shelter: Make sure you bring a tent that is able to cope with all four seasons. If you have some camping experience and are feeling more adventurous, try constructing a Quinzhee. This is a hollowed out mound of snow that can provide good shelter if constructed properly.  

Take proper sleeping gear: Snow cover on the rocks and roots will make for a smoother ground, but bring a foam pad to keep you insulated from the cold. Sleeping bags should have a hood for extra insulation and be able to handle a temperature below what you are expecting.

Don’t forget tools and supplies: When facing the winter elements, it’s important not to forget the little things that could come in handy. A first aid kit, compass, flashlight, whistle and multi-tool should all be packed safely in your bag before you head out. Consider taking a camera along to take photos of your winter adventure. Why not share them with the Nature Explorers community or Nature Canada’s Flickr page when you get back?

No matter when you go camping, preparation is key, so make sure to check and re-check the weather report and register your name with park services before heading to your campsite. Have fun!

Help send a Grade 8/secondary 2 class on Canada’s Coolest School Trip

What do Louis Riel, a sunken ship and the Premier of Prince Edward Island have in common? They all appear in video entries to the “Canada’s Coolest School Trip” contest!

Back in November, the My Parks Pass team challenged Grade 8/secondary 2 classes to make a short video in which they recreate a moment of significance from a national park, national historic site or national marine conservation area. The winning class will receive a four day trip to Banff courtesy of Brewster Travel and Banff Lake Louise Tourism, where they will enjoy a Columbia Icefield adventure, a ride on the Banff Gondola and Banff Lake Cruise.

So far, we’ve received over forty great entries from hard working and creative classes across Canada, including at least one video from every province. We’ve witnessed the Battle at Queenston Heights, heard the remarkable story of Grey Owl and discovered how Torngat Mountains National Park was created. Now we need your help to pick our top ten.

It’s simple!
• Visit the video gallery on the My Parks Pass website and pick your favourite video; 

• Starting February 1st at noon EST, visit the My Parks Pass website to cast your vote. You can vote once a day until public voting closes February 21st.

What’s in it for you? The chance to send one lucky class on the trip of a lifetime! The ten videos to receive the most votes will go before our judging panel for a final decision. If you still need some voting inspiration, check out this video from the My Parks Pass team to learn how easy it is to help a Grade 8/secondary 2 class win Canada’s Coolest School Trip.