Nature Canada Blog

Happy World Wetlands Day!

2012-02-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

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!

2012-01-31T10:44:00.000-05:00

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

We arethrilled to have received over 330 awesome entries. Now the time has come to share the winning photos! Checkout 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 toeveryone who entered the contest and congratulations to the winners!

Trivia Tuesdays: From the Biggest Nest to the Deepest Diver

2012-01-31T08:00:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-30T09:47:00.004-05:00

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

2012-01-26T14:02:00.022-05:00

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

2012-01-26T11:32:00.001-05:00

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

2012-01-24T11:41:00.002-05:00

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.

A Winter Wonderland

2012-01-24T09:00:00.000-05:00

Deer by Brenda Hartley-Foubert

Winter is a magical time of year.

Nature is at its most serene under a blanket of snow. Although many species migrate south to warmer climes, those that stick around are a treat to see in barren forests and open fields.

To celebrate the many reasons to love winter, we’ve collected some of the most breathtaking photography from the Nature Canada Flickr Group. Feast your eyes on these splendid photos of the natural world – from lumbering porcupines to hard-working woodpeckers, a great diversity of photos captures the essence of a winter wonderland.

Do you have photos of nature you would like to share? It’s easy to join our Flickr Group and upload your favorite nature photos!

Stop Enbridge's Northern Gateway Pipeline

2012-01-20T10:37:00.000-05:00

You can't protect something once it’s gone.

Imagine it: Pollution from tanker traffic. Devastating oil spills. Destruction of pristine habitat for sea otters, killer whales, seabirds, caribou and even iconic spirit bears.

That’s what’s awaiting British Columbia’s northern coast and hundreds of species of birds, animals and other wildlife that thrive in this region if we don’t take action right now.

The controversial Northern Gateway Pipeline project proposes to carry tar sands oil from Alberta across the Rockies to the northern B.C. port of Kitimat. Giant tankers -- some nearly as long as the Empire State Building is tall -- loaded with crude oil headed for Asia would navigate through the pristine and rugged northern B.C. coast at the unbelievable rate of about one every second day.

If given a go-ahead, the pipeline project would:

•    Fragment the boreal forest, home to birds and other wildlife, including Woodland Caribou and Grizzly Bears.
•    Expose the Great Bear Rainforest, home to wolves and the iconic Spirit Bear, and 30 internationally recognized Important Bird Areas teeming with marine birds, fish and other animals to potential oil spills and pollution from increased tanker traffic.
•    Risk irreversible harm to the livelihoods of many coastal and aboriginal communities.

Nature Canada and BC Nature have officially registered to participate as interveners in the environmental assessment of the Northern Gateway Pipeline project. As interveners, we are providing expert testimony about the impact that the pipeline and increased tanker traffic will have on marine birds, Important Bird Areas, and other wildlife like the woodland caribou.

But we need you too. Raise your voice! Send your letter and be part of our efforts to protect B.C.’s fragile coast from tanker traffic and oil spills. We’ll take your message directly to the panel when we take part in the public hearings.

It's simple: when you move oil, you spill oil. It's not a question of if a spill will occur -- it's a question of when.

Our country’s wildlife is depending on us to speak up on their behalf and put a stop to the Northern Gateway Pipeline project before it’s too late. Add your voice and send your letter today!

How Green Was Your Christmas?

2012-01-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

Photo: Swiv via Flickr

You know Christmas is officially over when used Christmas trees have made their way to the front lawn. Walking around my neighbourhood in Ottawa, I was surprised to see how many households decided to opt for a real tree this year. For many it seems, the trend in purchasing real trees has caught on. Perhaps it’s the fresh scent of pine needles that fills a home, or the fun family outing that almost always ends in hot chocolate and cookies at a local tree farm.

But based on our recent quick poll, which asked “What type of tree do you have this Christmas?”, nature lovers are saying they would rather have an artificial tree than a real tree bring Christmas cheer to their home.

41% of respondents said they had an artificial tree this past Christmas, and 24% had a real tree. For religious or other reasons, 34% said they did not have a Christmas tree. See the poll results here.

For people who do celebrate Christmas, choosing the greenest option can be difficult. But there is a range of options and issues to consider. I won’t go in to detail here, as we’ve covered this in a previous post.

Making eco-conscious choices over the Christmas holidays goes beyond what kind of tree you choose to use. Here are a few suggestions on how to green your Christmas decorations from people who participated in our poll.

“I use items that were passed down from my parents as well as items recycled through second hand stores. Instead of wrapping presents, I use cloth bags that I have sewn from old jeans and other used clothing.”

“…I hang a green plastic garland purchased over 20 years ago (still in good shape) on our porch every year. I use LED lights and only at night! As the carol says, let heaven AND NATURE sing!”

“Christmas lights at a minumum, lighted only from sunset to 10:00 pm and not left on all night. No wrapping paper which cannot be re-cycled is used. Home-made Christmas Cards on recyclable paper.”

“I use a lot of handmade ornaments when decorating,and as we own a 50acre property we choose our own tree and replant in the spring.I then put the used tree under my bird feeders for protection of my feathered friends.”

Do you have tips for green Christmas decorations? Share them with us it the comments below.

Bright Lights, Big Problems: Northern Gateway Poses Risk to Marine Birds

2012-01-18T09:30:00.001-05:00

Horned Grebe, by Vladimir Morozov

For those who don't already know, Nature Canada is one of those radical groups opposing the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline project. And while many have offered intelligent, well-stated rebuttals to this odd claim (try this, this, and this), we all know such talk is a diversion.

The real issue is the project itself, and whether it's in the public interest.

As an official intervenor, we've submitted written evidence, with BC Nature, that argues Enbridge has failed to adequately consider the potential effects of the project on marine birds, birds listed under the Species at Risk Act, Important Bird Areas and Woodland Caribou.

For those not inclined to read the nearly 100 pages of scientific analysis -- but who still wish to be informed about this, one of the largest proposed infrastructure projects in recent memory, we'll break it down in manageable bits for you. So let's get started.

Bright Lights, Big Problems

The negative impacts of artificial lights on marine birds – loons, grebes, albatrosses, geese, swans, terns among others – are well documented. Lights cause birds to veer off their normal migratory pathway, or delay migration. Birds can circle platforms for extended periods, collide with lighted structures, or even become so disoriented they collide with the ground.

Birds have large eyes and optic lobe which provides them with excellent vision; birds that are active at night sport retinas containing a compound that enables superior night vision. Marine birds have an additional aid; an internal magnetic compass helps them to navigate during migration between breeding and wintering areas. But red light is exceptionally attractive to marine birds and interferes with the magnetic compass, causing disorientation. That’s why lights from, say, an oil platform can be bad news for marine birds indeed.

Artificial light may also expose seabirds to predators that wouldn’t otherwise see them. In fact, the nocturnal behaviour of many species at their breeding colonies is thought to be an adaptation to decrease predation, and birds keep activity to a minimum at the colonies on moonlit nights. The proposed shipping route for the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project passes in close proximity to significant marine bird breeding colonies, effectively trumping the birds’ best laid defensive efforts.

Enbridge dismisses effects on marine birds of lights as “rare and short-term.” However, reports of impacts on marine birds of artificial lights on moving or anchored vessels are readily available in the literature or through discussion with local fishermen. Enbridge could even look to earlier, similar project assessments.

For example, the NaiKun application for development of a wind farm in Hecate Strait considered the potential impacts of lights related to its project on local marine birds. Similarly, the Bird Avoidance and Lighting Plan, prepared for ConocoPhillips (2011) in support of their sea drilling program, notes that:

“birds often can be attracted to and disoriented by artificial lights, especially during periods of low ambient visibility, which may result in potentially fatal drownings, exhaustion, or collisions (Cochran and Graber 1958; Verheijen 1981, 1985; Rich and Longcore 2006). Although the effects of lights on Spectacled and Steller’s Eiders specifically have not been determined, studies have demonstrated that seabirds and migrating birds at sea are particularly susceptible to deleterious effects of artificial lighting (Telfer et al. 1987, Le Corre et al. 2002, Russell 2005, Montevecchi 2006).”

The negative impact of artificial light on marine birds is a widespread, well-known phenomenon. The dismissal by Enbridge of impacts of artificial lights at the terminal, on moving vessels and on vessels at anchor as a cause of death or injury to marine birds is indefensible in light of the state of knowledge about this issue.

This is just one way in which the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline project poses risks too great to nature; it’s by no means the only one. We'll highlight others in upcoming blog posts.

The information summarized above is based on our formal submission to the panel; the section on marine birds was written by Anne Harfenist, an expert on marine bird ecology, demography and behaviour with a 31-year career in bird conservation. For more information, and sources used, read our written evidence.

Trivia Tuesdays: Birds big and small

2012-01-17T11:30:00.002-05:00

Great Egret is one of Canada's tallest birds. But is it the tallest? Photo: Amelia Gaulin

How well do you know your wildlife?

From the biggest to the smallest, the fastest to the slowest, Nature Canada’s Tuesday Trivia will test your knowledge of Canadian species.

In the coming weeks, we’ll cover birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and plants. Note that this quiz is about species found in Canada. There could very well be a larger, faster, smaller, or slower species in another part of the world.

Today’s theme is birds – big and small.

Good luck!

1. Which bird has the biggest wingspan?
(a)    White pelican
(b)    Whooping crane
(c)    Great blue heron
(d)    Golden eagle

2. What is our tallest bird?
(a)    Great blue heron
(b)    Sandhill crane
(c)    Whooping crane
(d)    Great egret

3. What is our smallest bird?
(a)    Ruby-throated hummingbird
(b)    Anna’s hummingbird
(c)    Rufous hummingbird
(d)    Calliope hummingbird

Find out how you did

Connect with Nature: Go Star Gazing

2012-01-12T14:15:00.000-05:00

Night Sky Photo by Ryan O'Hara

There are few things that can compare to the beauty of a starry night. Star gazing is a great way to soak up Mother Nature and unwind from the hustle and bustle of our busy lives. Here are a few tips to help make the most of your star gazing experience.

Where to go: Pick a location that will give you minimal glare from artificial light and a maximum view of the sky. Consider visiting a local park or, if you’re able, head to a Dark Sky Preserve for a truly unique star gazing experience. In Canada, we’re lucky to be home to fourteen of these designated sites, which are natural spaces kept free of artificial light in order to promote astronomy and minimize light pollution. Some of these preserves, including Fathom Five National Marine Park, host guided night hikes where you can experience the breathtaking beauty of the night sky with fellow nature lovers.

What to bring: The great thing about star gazing is you don’t need any special gear or information to get started. Stars, constellations and meteor showers are all visible to the naked eye. If you’d like to get a closer look, bring along a pair of binoculars or a telescope if you have one. A guide to the sky can be easily downloaded online or picked up at a local book store. Some smart phones even have an application that can help you navigate the sky once your location has been determined.

When to go: Keep an eye on the weather forecast and wait for an evening with a clear, moonless sky. Before you head out, check out this list of tips from Astronomy Magazine to make sure you get the most of your viewing experience. Don’t forget to pack a thermos of hot liquid, like tea or hot chocolate to keep you warm. Bundle up and enjoy your evening under the stars!

IBA Caretakers: Volunteers Protecting Birds at Important Bird Areas

2012-01-11T08:30:00.000-05:00

Bruce and Hilda Norton at Rice Lake IBA. Photo: Shelly Fisher

For nearly forty years, Bruce Norton has been visiting Rice Lake, Saskatchewan and admiring the abundant wildlife that it supports. Located just 25 km from Saskatoon, it’s the site of an Important Bird Area that is home to large populations of ducks, shorebirds and other wildlife. So when Bruce and his wife Hilda attended a meeting where volunteers were being recruited to care for and watch over Important Bird Areas in the Saskatoon region, they saw an opportunity they knew was too good to pass up.

“When I heard about the Important Bird Area project, Hilda and I decided this was something we’d enjoy doing,” said Bruce, “We’ve been at Rice Lake on and off for about forty years, so it seemed like a natural place to volunteer.”

As members of Nature Saskatoon, a local naturalist group, Bruce and Hilda had visited Rice Lake Important Bird Area many times on bird watching trips before becoming Important Bird Area Caretakers. In fact, many of the group’s members are avid birders and bird watching is a weekly group activity.

Rice Lake Important Bird Area. Photo: Shelly Fisher

A semi-permanent marsh surrounded by agricultural lands, Rice Lake is an important wetland for waterbirds, especially Franklin’s Gull. Over 3,000 pairs of nesting Franklin's Gulls, representing more than 1% of the estimated global breeding population, have been recorded at this site. The lake is also an important staging site for waterfowl including Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Mallard, and Canada Goose.

Not only do Bruce and Hilda make regular visits to Rice Lake IBA to monitor birds and changes to the landscape, they share these observations with local farmers whose land abuts the IBA.
“I’ve found that a lot of farmers are conservationists who have an interest in birds and in the IBA,” said Bruce.

Farmers will often share their observations of birds passing through their land, adding to the greater pool of knowledge about the wildlife that uses Rice Lake to breed, nest and refuel before long migrations. For Bruce and Hilda, their volunteer work is as much about making observations of the IBA as it is informing local stakeholders on bird conservation issues.

“Agriculture is changing, the climate is changing, and we’re not quite sure what this will do to wildlife,” said Bruce, “I think it’s important to have monitors around the country to keep track of how these things are affecting birds and wildlife on the ground.”

Bruce and Hilda are a part of a network of over 200 volunteers who watch over and protect Important Bird Areas across Canada. First launched by BC Nature with the assistance of a Nature Canada Communities in Action Fund, the Caretaker network now spans nine provinces. Nature Canada and Bird Studies Canada are the national co-partners in delivering the Important Bird Areas program and coordinating the IBA Caretakers Network in Canada.

Are you a member of a naturalist club in your community? If you are actively involved in conserving and protecting natural spaces in your area, joining the IBA Caretaker Network could give you the support and guidance to do more! You can find out more about becoming a Caretaker and explore Important Bird Areas in Canada at ibacanada.ca

Enbridge Fails to Make its Case on Northern Gateway Pipeline

2012-01-10T11:46:00.002-05:00

As you surely have heard, hearings for the Northern Gateway Pipeline Project (NGP) begin today in northern BC. Enbridge is proposing to build a pipeline that would carry oil from the tar sands to a port at Kitimat, British Columbia. After travelling nearly 1,170km through pristine wilderness and First Nations homelands, tar sands oil would be loaded on tankers and sent through treacherous waters to Pacific markets.

Nature Canada and BC Nature are jointly participating in the review of the NGP due to our deep concern about the project's potential impact on wildlife, including birds, and their habitats. With the limited funding we received from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency we have concentrated our review on the potential impacts of the project on marine and terrestrial birds and their habitat, including Important Bird Areas (IBAs), and terrestrial wildlife and habitat along the proposed pipeline route, with a focus on Woodland Caribou and birds at risk.

Over the many months of hearings starting today, the Joint Review Panel will hear oral evidence from other interveners and from thousands of interested persons -- apparently all 'radicals' or foreign-backed stooges -- who have registered to share their views about the project.

Our written submission was prepared by our three experts, specializing in marine bird ecology, demography and behaviour; marine and terrestrial bird species at risk; terrestrial and marine bird distribution, abundance and ecology, Important Bird Areas; wildlife habitat and management, and applied biology on the industry-wildlife interface.

Enbridge has failed to adequately assess the potential effects of the project on marine birds, birds listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), IBAs and Woodland Caribou. Without additional assessment, the Panel will not have an accurate understanding of the potential impacts of the project and of a project-related oil spill on marine birds.

In short, what's wrong with Enbridge's proposal?

• Enbridge ignores important potential impacts of the project on marine birds, like artificial light induced mortality, collisions, chronic oiling and others.

• Enbridge has failed to consider the effects of a potential oil spill on several Important Bird Areas that protect huge seabird colinies.

• Enbridge has also failed to consider the potential impact of oil spills on open ocean wanderers such as albatrosses and shearwaters.

• Along the pipeline route, Enbridge has failed to assess the potential effects of the proposed pipeline on freshwater wetland IBAs and on several bird species at risk.

• As for caribou, it is clear that the project is a significant cumulative increment of risk for the Little Smokey, Narraway, Hart and Telkwa Caribou herds, whose habitat the proposed pipeline corridor bisects and which are listed under the Species at Risk Act as Threatened.

• Enbridge acknowledges there will be impacts on caribou, but they incorrectly identified caribou mortality in winter as the determining factor for population viability, despite recent literature that clearly documents that summer mortality is prevalent. Based on this error, they then find that there will be insignificant impacts on caribou from the project.

• Our written evidence shows, however, that the Northern Gateway Pipeline project will exacerbate the current decline in the Little Smokey, Narraway, Hart and Telkwa Caribou herds through cumulative effects and increased mortality. The pipeline will likely contribute to the extinction of two or more of these Woodland Caribou herds.

Stay tuned for more details on our findings in the coming months, including spotlights on some of the amazing birds and seabird colonies that are threatened by the Northern Gateway project. And if you want to participate, even if you didn’t register for the hearings, you can still share your views with the Panel by submitting a letter of comment before March 13, 2012.

Canada’s Coolest School Trip Contest Deadline Extended

2012-01-06T10:11:00.000-05:00

Nature Canada and the My Parks Pass team have extended the deadline to enter “Canada’s Coolest School Trip” contest to January 31, 2012.

The contest challenges Grade 8 students to make a short video that re-creates a significant moment from a Canadian National Park, National Historic Site or National Marine Conservation Area. What’s up for grabs? A four day trip to Banff where the winning class will enjoy a Columbia Icefield adventure, a trip on the Banff Gondola and Banff Lake Cruise!

We’ve received lots of great entries so far, including videos about the Charlottetown Conference of 1864, the Klondike Gold Rush in Dawson City and the creation of Torngat Mountains National Park.

Now Grade 8 classes have an extra three weeks to enter. If you want to get started on making a video with your class, check out the My Parks Pass website for lesson plans, suggested video topics and even a peek at how Nature Canada’s staff created their own video.

Starting February 1st, we’ll be calling on the public to vote for their favorite videos for a chance to send one lucky class on Canada’s Coolest School Trip. Stay tuned!

IBA Caretakers: People Protecting Birds Across Canada – Vancouver Island

2012-01-04T09:00:00.001-05:00

Josie Osborne. Photo: Mike Farrow

Vancouver Island is well-known for its giant conifers, abundant wildlife and rugged coastline. First time visitors are easily blown away by the magnitude of nature – there’s no better place to feel the strength and beauty of the natural world than at the foot of a towering Douglas fir. On the west coast of the island you’ll find another stunning gem – mudflats. Big ones.

Tofino Mudflats Important Bird Area covers the largest set of tidal flats on the west coast of Vancouver Island. It’s also where you’ll find Josie Osborne taking young nature enthusiasts on their first birding outing.

Josie, a marine biologist and staff member at the Tofino Botanical Gardens, has cared for the Tofino Mudflats IBA for nearly six years. After living with a self-professed ‘bird block’ for many years, Josie found the Important Bird Area Caretaker program to be a natural fit with her educational and interpretative work in her previous position with the Raincoast Education Society.

“I like to tell people that birding is like tennis, you learn tennis best when you play with someone just a little better than you,” said Josie, “If you go out with someone who knows their birds just a bit better, you can pretty quickly reach their level. And then you are both learning together.”

Once a month in winter, Josie leads a group of people of all ages on to the mudflats where they practice their newly acquired bird identification skills. Expert birders from the area will often come out to help beginner birders learn the ropes. Josie helps coordinate a program, “Learning Better Bird Skills”, which makes birding accessible and brings people together around a love for nature.

Josie bird watches with children on Tofino Mudflats IBA

“The program is as much about birding as it is about bringing people together out in nature on a regular basis,” said Josie, “In a recent survey, we learned that the number one reason people came birding was for the social aspect.”

An ardent advocate for nature, Josie sits on the advisory committee for Tofino Mudflats IBA which meets twice a year to discuss issues affecting the mudflats. As a committee member, she liaises with representatives from government and environmental groups to ensure the IBA is protected and remains a haven for wildlife.

For amateur birders hoping to hone their birding skills, Tofino Mudflats Important Bird Area provides no shortage of tidal pools and rocky out-croppings to explore. Covering 32 square kilometers, it includes six mudflats and serves as a critical stop-over site for migrating birds.

Locals and tourists are treated to quite a sight when tens of thousands of Western Sandpipers pass through on their biannual migrations. It’s such a spectacular event that organizers of Tofino’s Annual Shorebird Festival have timed the festivities around the spring migration. If you happen to be in Tofino in May, why not stop by and take part in fun, family-friendly activities? Bird watching will be part of the mix, but so will other events, including an art show!

Tofino Mudflats IBA. Photo: Tofino Photography

Tofino Mudflats IBA is one of nearly six hundred Important Bird Areas in Canada. The Canadian IBA Program is a cornerstone in science-based, site-specific conservation for birds and biodiversity which has been co-delivered by Nature Canada and Bird Studies Canada since 1996. Acting with regional conservation partners, both organizations have built an exhaustive IBA database, finalized almost one hundred site conservation plans and helped communities implement more than 150 local projects.

Important Bird Area Caretakers like Josie are caring for over two hundred IBAs across the country, playing a pivotal role in ensuring birds and their habitat are protected. The IBA Caretakers Network was launched in 2006 by BC Nature in British Columbia with financial assistance from Nature Canada's Communities in Action Fund, and is supported by national sponsor TransCanada Corporation. In 2009, TransCanada Corporation committed $1 million over the next five years to support Nature Canada's bird conservation efforts.

Are you a member of a naturalist club in your community? If you are actively involved in conserving and protecting natural spaces in your area, joining the IBA Caretaker Network could give you the support and guidance to do more! You can find out more about becoming a Caretaker and explore Important Bird Areas in Canada at ibacanada.ca

Start the Year Light – Steps to Reducing Your Carbon Footprint

2011-12-30T13:00:00.000-05:00

The planet will thank you all year long!

The new year is an ideal time to introduce simple, easy changes to your lifestyle that can have a major impact for the health of our planet. Whether you’re on the road or at home, there are plenty of ways to tread more lightly on this Earth – here are just a few.

Five Resolutions for the Road

1. Get your vehicle's body into shape
Most people resolve to get their body into better shape in the New Year. Why not make the same resolution for your vehicle? Basic vehicle maintenance, including measuring your tire pressure, checking for leaks once a month, and regular tune-ups, will help keep your vehicle in top working order. You save money, fuel, and the environment.

2. Be a fuel-efficient driver
Slow and steady wins the race – and the environment wins too. Aggressive driving and speeding can increase your fuel consumption by as much as 35 percent. You can save money and fuel, and reduce your vehicle’s emissions by slowing down, giving yourself more time and planning your routes ahead of time.

3. Stop idling your vehicle
Idling is bad for your wallet, your vehicle, the environment, and it even hurts the people around you. Besides, it isn’t even necessary! The best way to warm up your car is to drive it at a moderate speed.Idling for 10 minutes a day produces almost a quarter-tonne of carbon dioxide emissions and costs you more than $80 every year! Even on the coldest winter days you can drive away after letting the engine run for only 30 seconds.

4. Think twice about air travel
Cheap flights abroad carry a heavy cost for the planet. Why not take a break nearer home? You can undo all your eco-friendly efforts with one long haul flight. The world's 16,000 commercial jet aircrafts produce more than 600 million tonnes of CO2 every year, nearly as much as all the countries of Africa put together.

5. Give Your Car a Rest
Resolve to leave the wheels at home and opt for walking, biking or public transit at least one day a week. About 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from the transporataion sector.

Six Resolutions For Your Home

1. On the menu: healthy, organic and local
Out with the old -- fast food and supermarkets – and in with the new – organic and local produce.

The production of organic food causes much less environmental damage than conventional agriculture. It’s pesticide-free, and with demand growing every year it’s becoming easier to find in communities almost everywhere. Buying locally grown food is even better; it helps reduce aviation pollution, which is a big contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.

2. Compost your organic kitchen waste
You can compost fruits, vegetables, tea bags and coffee grounds, as well as leaf and yard waste. Compost makes valuable fertilizer and reduces the amount of waste in landfills. By composting, a family of three can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than one-eighth of a tonne each year.

3. Take up gardening
A green thumb leads to a healthy planet, and it’s a great way to relieve stress. Growing your own fruit, vegetables and plants in the garden can beautify your property and is great exercise. If you don't have a backyard, seek out community gardens in your area, and make gardening a social activity!

4. Hit the off switch
Small lifestyle changes can have a big impact on the planet – and your bank account. Energy saving measures at home can cut bills for a typical family by hundreds of dollars a year. Simply turning your room thermostat down by one degree could cut up to 10% off your heating bill. Programmable thermostats are now readily available to make this even easier. Other measures include insulating your home, using energy efficient light bulbs, switching to renewable energy, turning off lights and unplugging appliances when you're not using them.

5. Stay true to an old standby: recycle
Everything old can be new again. Recycle and reuse.

The average person throws out their body weight in garbage every 3 months. Get familiar with your community’s recycling program. They may have added new products to the list of recyclables. Half of electrical goods left at dumps work, or require only very basic repairs, so think before discarding them.

6. Connect with nature
It’s a fact; the more emotionally and physically attached we are to the natural world, the more likely we’ll act to conserve the planet’s nature. So find time to connect with nature, and remind yourself of nature’s wonders. There are many ways to do this; here are seven:

Visit a national park that you've never been to before.
Relive a piece of Canadian history at a national historic site or park.
Participate in a local environmental cleanup or restoration project.
Make your voice heard on at least one environmental issue this year.
Share a picnic lunch with your family at a provincial park.
Camp for One Weekend under the stars.
Teach a child to swim, or climb a tree.

Preparing Backyards and Balconies for Birds This Winter?

2011-12-28T10:00:00.000-05:00

Think Food. Feeders in the winter provide an extra energy source for birds that stay in the area during winter. Provide a number of feeder styles and types of feed (sunflower, thistle, unsalted peanuts, sliced fruit, seed scattered on stamped down snow) to attract many different birds to your yard. Feeders can also be easily attached to windows using suction cups. Place feeders where they are sheltered from predators and weather, and clean feeders regularly.

Small space? No problem! Some feeders are available with a suction cup attachment that can be stuck right to the window!

Don’t remove dead flower heads in the autumn. Don’t cut back old annual or perennial plants. The seed heads that are left in place on plants such as coneflowers, sunflowers and thistle will provide a lasting source of seed for finches and sparrows.

Don’t rake too much. Dead leaves left under trees and shrubs are ideal spots for sparrows to forage for insects throughout the colder months.

Provide cover. Birds need shelter from harsh conditions, and vegetation in your yard will help to furnish it. Don’t prune back dead vegetation like vines and stalks – these provide both valuable winter cover and nesting material for birds in the spring. Balconies have a special opportunity to attract nesting birds as they provide great shelter.

Add habitat in your backyard in the form of a brush pile, which may attract foraging birds and mammals, and even over-wintering reptiles, amphibians and insects.

Think ahead to next winter by planning for spring planting. Choose species that are native to your area. Good sources of winter food for birds include rosehips of wild roses, the berries of sumac and dogberry, the seeds of maples and birches, and perennials like black-eyed susans.

Irony, or does the left hand not know what the right is doing?

2011-12-22T15:11:00.005-05:00

The Endangered Henslow's Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) is one of the rarest birds in Ontario. During the Atlas of Breeding Birds of Ontario 2001 to 2005, there were only 8 possible records of the species in the entire province. For years, a breeding population of this tiny sparrow has persisted in upper New York State, not far from Prince Edward County, near the east end of Lake Ontario. The New York population could well be the “source” population for re-colonization of nearby areas like Prince Edward County.

Henslow’s Sparrow just happens to be one of a few Endangered Species identified by Stantec as a priority for their preconstruction surveying for Gilead Power Corporation. Gilead is applying to build a wind energy plant with nine 140 metre tall turbines in the Ostrander Point Crown Land block in Prince Edward County, Ontario. In the Environmental Review Report of 2009, Stantec reported the following:

An assessment of the Study Area for potential Henslow’s Sparrow breeding habitat was completed. No optimal habitat was identified (Section 3.5.3 of Appendix C1). Three relatively small patches of marginal habitat for the Henslow’s Sparrow were the subject of playback surveys. No Henslow’s Sparrows were detected. The species has experienced significant decline in Ontario, and it should be considered absent from the Study Area.

On the surface, this seems like a reasonable conclusion right? I’m not so sure.

Potential Henlow's Sparrow habitat at Ostrander Point
could become site for 140-metre tall wind turbines. Photo: Ted Cheskey

In 2010, Gilead applied for a permit to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources – the Ministry responsible for management of the Crown Land Block – to “kill, harm and harass Blanding’s Turtle and Whip-poor-will as well as damage and destroy habitat of Whip-poor-will” as part of their operational plan for the wind plant. As objectionable as this seems, I question why Henslow Sparrow was not on this list also. Here is why.

In the conservation plan that William Wilson and I wrote for the Prince Edward County South Shore Important Bird Area, with the support of a strong local committee, including the local Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources District Ecologist, I learned that a restoration plan for the Henslow's sparrow was written for Ostrander Point Crown Land Block that included brushing and prescribed burning in the late 1990s. It was never made clear if the plan was implemented or not at the time.

It was not until very recently, when reading through the Recovery Strategy for Henslow's Sparrow from Environment Canada that I learned that Henslow's Sparrows were present on Ostrander Point in 1999 and 2000 as a direct result of the implementation of this recovery action! In the Recovery Strategy, this example was used to illustrate how restoration activities could lead to positive results. The MNR supported this restoration work on their land!

Something stinks about a process when we have a government agency, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, invest in successfully restoring the habitat of an endangered species, then turn around a few years later and offer up its habitat for a small and unnecessary industrial wind plant. Why is this process moving forward? Why has it gone this far? Why was it even conceived of in the first place?

The turbines are not built yet. Once they are, no longer will this be Henslow's Sparrow habitat, or Whip-poor-will habitat, or Blanding's Turtle habitat, but it will be a serious risk to all birds, including the river of hawks, owls and songbirds that stream through Ostrander Point every fall.

Over this Christmas period, my wish is that the Province or the developer recognizes that this is the wrong place to build a wind farm, and withdraws it before it goes any further. Wind energy should be about good ideas in good places, and this isn't it.

Nature Canada Photo of the Month Winners 2011

2011-12-22T14:59:00.000-05:00

Looking back over the past year, we've had so many people share their love of nature by entering the Nature Canada Photo of the Month Contest. Every month, we let our Facebook fans select the winning photo. It hasn't always been easy - we've had a great number of fantastic photos submitted but only one winner every month!

We would like to celebrate these photos, and the love for nature that they represent, in a slideshow that you can watch and share with your friends and family. These beautiful photos are a great reminder of the wildlife we cherish and are working to protect for future generations.

Enjoy!

Thank you to everyone who submitted photos and joined the Nature Canada Flickr Group. We hope to share more of your nature photography in the coming year.

Seasons greetings and best wishes for the new year!

Aren't They Worth It?

2011-12-22T08:30:00.000-05:00

Did you know that over 600 species are at risk of extinction in Canada?

The polar bear is one of them. Last month, thanks in large part to thousands of letters sent by Nature Canada supporters asking Environment Minister Peter Kent to take fast action to protect polar bears, the polar bear was listed as a species of special concern under the Species At Risk Act.

Unfortunately, the polar bear is not alone. Other species threatened by human activities and facing declining numbers include the Boreal Woodland Caribou, Burrowing Owl, Greater Sage-Grouse and Wolverine.

In our watchdog role as an advocate for endangered species, Nature Canada closely reviews recovery strategies for species at risk to ensure the best possible protective measures are included. Over the past year, our recommendations helped improve recovery strategies for four species, including the Loggerhead Shrike, one of 27 endangered birds on the Species At Risk list.

This holiday season, help us reach our goal of raising $64,000 to protect endangered species - that's $100 for each listed species. Aren't they worth it?

Family Christmas Crafts

2011-12-21T09:03:00.001-05:00

A family enjoying walnut boats.

One of the real challenges during the holidays is finding fun family activities that don't include the mall, Christmas movies on TV, or eating too many cookies.

Here are two easy crafts that are fun for children and adults, and are made with materials that most people have around the house come Christmas time. This year, start a new tradition. Make some Walnut Boats to float on Candle Lake, and some Mandarin Lanterns to light the dark night.

How to Make Walnut Boats

What You Need: Walnuts, short pieces of candle wick, beeswax, an old pot, a tray or bowl, matches or a lighter, and water.

What To Do:

Carefully split walnuts in half, then remove the meat.
Fill the half shells about 2/3 full with beeswax around a small piece of lamp wick. This is a walnut boat.
Repeat this step until you have as many walnuts boats as you would like.
Carefully float your boats in a tray or bowl of water.
Light the wicks, turn the lights out, and watch the children’s eyes light up!

Walnuts, walnut halves, beeswax, and wick for walnut boats.

Mandarin lantern with a cap.

How to Make Mandarin Lanterns

What You Need: Mandarin oranges, cooking oil, matches or a lighter, a spoon, and a sharp knife.

What To Do:

Gently cut just the skin of the mandarin all the way around the diametre of the fruit (imagine it like the equator). Be careful not to cut the fruit inside.
With a spoon and your fingers, pull the fruit away from the peel, being careful not to tear the peel. It is important to conserve the stringy filaments that run up the middle of the orange so that they stay connected to the peel of the mandarin.
Once you remove the fruit you will be left with two halves of the mandarin peel - one half with the filaments attached, and the other without.
Pour oil into the mandarin half with the filaments attached to about 1/3 full.
Mandarin lantern without a cap.
Cut small holes and geometric shapes into the other half of the peel to make a decorative cap for the lantern.
Wait about 10 minutes to allow the filament “wick” to soak up some oil. Carefully light the wick to turn your orange into a lantern. Place the cap on top.
To display your mandarin lanterns, put them in the snow outside your window and watch the heat cause them to melt down into the snow, emanating a warm orange glow into the snowy winter night.

Connect with Nature: Join a Christmas Bird Count

2011-12-15T10:00:00.000-05:00

Chickadee Photo by Lynn Pady

Did you know that the Christmas Bird Count is the oldest citizen science survey in the world?

In 1900, American ornithologist Frank Chapman asked birders to head out on Christmas Day to count the number of birds they see and submit their results to the first "Christmas Bird Census." Today, over 2200 Christmas Bird Counts take place across Canada, the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean, with the results amassing a huge database that reflects the distribution and number of winter birds over time.

Christmas Bird Counts are organized by local birding clubs or naturalist groups and take place on any one day between December 14th and January 5th. Volunteers follow specified routes through a designated 24km diameter circle or can arrange to count birds at their backyard feeder and report results to a local leader. The great thing about the Christmas Bird Count is that every bird you see counts - whether it's a common backyard bird or an exotic visitor to your neighbourhood. Each count is added to a larger tally that scientists use to identify conservation success stories as well as areas in need of help.

Community events like the Christmas Bird Count are a great way for beginner birdwatchers to learn from experienced birders and enjoy a fun filled day outdoors. Luckily, finding a count close to you is as easy as visiting this database from our Birdlife International co-partner Bird Studies Canada, who administer the program in Canada.

Are you planning to join a Christmas Bird Count? Let us know in the comments below!

IBA Caretakers: A Social Network

2011-12-14T08:30:00.000-05:00

Anne Murray, Boundary Bay-Roberts Bank-Sturgeon Bank IBA

Last week we heard from Gaston Déry, an IBA Caretaker for Iles-aux-pommes IBA, Quebec. In this post, we return to British Columbia to speak with Anne Murray, IBA Caretaker for the Fraser River Estuary: Boundary Bay-Roberts Bank-Sturgeon Bank IBA.

After speaking with Anne, I was struck by the similarities between the IBA Caretaker Network and the online social networks that are increasingly a part of our everyday lives. The concept of spreading a message through a social network is quite simple. Engage one person with influence and you inform and engage their entire network of friends.

The Important Bird Area Caretakers Network works in much the same way. An IBA Caretaker is someone with ties to the people in their community who care about nature and have an interest in protecting it. Through the Caretaker Network, they connect their community with communities across Canada that care for and protect birds and their habitat.

“It’s like any social network in an organization. We can reach more people that way.” said Anne Murray, past president of BC Nature, “Caretakers are the local people at an IBA who can regularly be in contact with regional and national coordinators of the Important Bird Area program. They’re also the people who spread awareness about the IBA in their community.”

Canada’s IBA Program is a cornerstone in science-based, site-specific conservation for birds and biodiversity. Co-delivered by Nature Canada and Bird Studies Canada, the program has been in place since 1996. Acting with regional conservation partners, Nature Canada has built an exhaustive IBA database, finalized almost 100 site conservation plans and helped communities implement more than 150 local projects.

In 2006, after successfully launching the IBA program in British Columbia with financial assistance from Nature Canada's Communities in Action Fund, BC Nature took the lead in pushing the program even further. Anne Murray, who was on the Board of BC Nature at the time, helped launch the IBA Caretaker Network in British Columbia.

“We wanted to ensure that the Important Bird Areas program was sustainable in the long term and one of the ways I could see of doing that was to set up a network of volunteers who knew the sites and were close to the sites,” said Anne, “The idea was that BC Nature and the other partners would provide Caretakers with information, advice and guidelines on how to monitor, promote and protect an IBA – then we’d let them run with it.”

Nearly six years later, there are close to 200 IBA Caretakers across Canada. This year, with the addition of Caretakers in Ontario and Quebec, there are now Caretakers in every province in Canada. The network’s expansion has been possible with the support of the IBA Caretaker Network’s national sponsor, TransCanada Corporation, who in 2009 committed $1 million over five years.

Anne (third from right) goes birding with the Casual Birding group of the Delta Naturalists Society. Photo: Delta Naturalists Society

Over the years, the network’s success in effectively protecting birds and their habitat comes from the collective efforts of Caretakers across the country.

“People already involved in their site are given help and capacity to do more. That’s what’s been really good about the program,” said Anne, “The regional and national partners of the IBA program provide support, organize meetings with government and get other people involved – that really helps to build the capacity of the program. Being a part of that is very valuable. You’re much more effective when you are part of something bigger than if you’re on your own.”

For Anne, joining the Caretaker Network was a natural next step in her conservation work – she was already actively advocating for the protection of the Fraser River Estuary when the network launched. As one of the Caretakers for Boundary Bay-Roberts Bank-Sturgeon Bank Important Bird Area, Anne is involved in everything from conducting bird surveys to giving public presentations on IBAs. Her public outreach includes publishing books on the ecology of the Lower Mainland and writing columns on timely conservation issues affecting the Fraser River Estuary in the Georgia Straight, a widely circulated local paper.

Not surprisingly, the proximity of the Boundary Bay-Roberts Bank-Sturgeon Bank IBA to the city of Vancouver presents a unique set of conservation issues. Urban and industrial expansion and recreational pressures threaten to degrade the ecosystems that are arguably one of the most important habitats for migrating and wintering waterbirds in Canada. Western Sandpiper, Black-bellied Plover, Dunlin, Northern Pintail, and many other species of bird and fish need the mudflats and intertidal marshes of the IBA to survive. IBA Caretakers like Anne have brought greater awareness of the challenges facing urban Important Bird Areas and the unique value they hold for wildlife.

Dunlin in flight at Reifel, part of the Boundary Bay IBA. Photo: Delta Naturalists Society

“In the past 20 years, public awareness of the environmental value of Important Bird Areas like Boundary Bay-Roberts Bank-Sturgeon Bank IBA, has slowly increased,” said Anne, “That’s due to the many caring people who advocate for their protection. I hope that my work as an IBA Caretaker helps to contribute to that awareness.”

Are you a member of a naturalist club in your community? If you are actively involved in conserving and protecting natural spaces in your area, joining the IBA Caretaker Network could give you the support and guidance to do more! You can find out more about becoming a Caretaker and explore Important Bird Areas in Canada at ibacanada.ca

Next week, we’ll hear from Josie Osborne, Caretaker for Tofino Mudflats IBA on Vancouver Island. Stay tuned!

Nature Explorers: Connecting Children and Youth to Nature

2011-12-13T09:46:00.000-05:00

Nature Explorers participating in a fun, outdoor activity

This holiday season, we want to thank White Swan for its support of the Nature Explorers program. We’ve invited Steven Sage, Corporate Director Sustainability & Innovation from Kruger Products, L.P. to be a guest blogger and share more with us about White Swan’s current sustainable practices, its plans for the future, and why connecting youth with nature is so important to the company.

Kruger Products, makers of the White Swan brand of household paper products, has been a proud sponsor of Nature Canada since 2006. This partnership includes support for Nature Canada’s Nature Explorers program which currently helps children and youth across Canada connect with nature through diverse outdoor activities throughout the year.

White Swan’s partnership with Nature Canada is based on the mutual belief that environmental responsibility begins with caring. We embrace environmental responsibility and ensure our White Swan products are made using environmentally sustainable manufacturing processes. White Swan products are made from 100% recycled paper containing at least 88% post consumer material and are also certified by EcoLogo, North America’s most widely recognized and respected third-party environmental standards authority. In addition to our environmentally sustainable manufacturing process, White Swan also supports and encourages our communities to embrace environmental responsibility through our partnership with Nature Canada.

The Nature Explorer’s Program encourages youth engagement and is focused on conserving and protecting Canada’s natural heritage. By creating opportunities for kids to experience nature first-hand, the Natures Explorers Program promotes healthy, active lifestyles and the building of a nature ethic—a culture that instills an appreciation of nature and the responsibility to protect it. These learning experiences bring young Canadians back into intimate contact with nature, nurture in our young people a deep passion for nature, and motivate them to become ongoing, active and responsible stewards for the environment.

White Swan’s support will help to allow the program to expand in the next several years. Nature Canada has a goal of reconnecting one million children and their families with nature through a national campaign that includes support for a wide range of activities in nature to an online network and resource centre.

Kruger Product’s commitment to the environment began with its first reforestation program in 1948. And that commitment continues today. In 2010, Kruger Products launched its five-year sustainable development program—Sustainability 2015—focused on reducing its environmental footprint and benefiting the communities in which it operates. We identified nine specific targets to improve based on 2009 benchmarking metrics. These include reductions in energy and water consumption as well as reductions in solid waste, greenhouse gas emissions and packaging materials. In addition, Kruger Products is working towards increasing our offering of third-party certified “green” products, utilizing 100% third-party certified fibre in the manufacture of its products, becoming Forest Stewardship Council®-certified and optimizing our logistics and transportation efforts.

Since launching the Sustainability 2015 initiative, Kruger Products has:
o    Reduced its overall energy consumption by nearly 3% while meeting its objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 15%.
o    Received FSC® Chain of Custody certification from the Rainforest Alliance. We now offer over one of the largest portfolio of FSC-certified products in North America with over 135 products for both consumers as well as our commercial and industrial customers.
o    Published its first annual Sustainable Development Report available for view at www.sustainability2015.ca

Kruger Products and White Swan are proud to continue its ongoing support of Nature Canada and its ongoing mission to protect Canada’s natural diversity of plant and animal species and their environment. We hope you’ll try the White Swan family of paper products including bathroom and facial tissue, paper towels and napkins. www.WhiteSwan.ca

IBA Caretakers: Protecting Birds Across Canada – Quebec

2011-12-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

Gaston Déry at Ile-aux-Pommes IBA

As an Important Bird Area Caretaker for Île-aux-Pommes IBA, Gaston Déry has been an integral part of transforming what was once a haven for seagulls into an island that supports thriving populations of migratory birds, ducks and other wildlife.

Over the past thirty years, Gaston has worked to restore the island’s bird habitat, turning it into a “paradise for birds”. Over 30 bird species use the island to breed and to refuel on their bi-annual migrations. The island has become such a dependable source of food for migrating birds that Gaston likens it to a tried-and-tested roadside diner along a bird superhighway.

“Imagine you’re on a road trip with your family and you know there’s a restaurant where you can stop and eat. That restaurant is safe, it’s not that expensive and you know that you can always depend on it being there. That’s what Île-aux-Pommes IBA is to migrating birds,” said Gaston, as he described how the island serves the needs of thousands of migrating birds every year.

Île-aux-Pommes lies 6 kilometres off the south shore of the St. Lawrence estuary, near the town of L’Isle-Verte Québec and 25 km east of Rivière-du-Loup. Surrounded by five islets, the island is just under two kilometers long and 200 metres wide. But for such as small island it does more than its fair share to support nesting and migrating birds.

The second largest breeding population of Common Eider ducks nests on the island every year, with nearly 2,300 breeding pairs recorded last year. Herring Gull and Great Black-backed Gull populations also nest in large numbers on the island. Other birds found on the island include American Black Duck, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Razorbill, Black Guillemot, Brant, Snow Goose, Canada Goose, Plovers, Sandpipers, many species of sparrow such as Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Slate-coloured Junco , American Crow and many species of Hawks and Owls.

Eider duck in flight at Île-aux-Pommes IBA

For Gaston, becoming a Caretaker of Île-aux-Pommes IBA was a natural next step in his commitment to protecting the birds that depend on the island. He’s been an IBA Caretaker for nearly four years, but in many ways, he has been a guardian of the island for most of his adult life.

Île-aux-Pommes has been in the Déry family since 1927. Ownership was passed down from one generation to the next, and in 1980, the land came into Gaston’s possession. In the intervening years, the island had become a hotbed for research, drawing government scientists and university students to the island to study birds. But the number of ducks coming to island had declined, and a colony of 20,000 seagulls had taken up residence. A lot needed to be done to restore the island so that ducks and other wildlife that had historically nested on Île-aux-Pommes would return in greater numbers.

So when Gaston took ownership of Île-aux-Pommes, he was determined to turn things around. Carrying on the tradition of conserving nature instilled in him by his grandfather from a young age, he decided to lay the ground work for a management plan that would ensure the island would be a haven for birds forever. With the help of Ducks Unlimited, Gaston slowly rehabilitated the island by planting conifers and shrubs that are essential nesting habitat for Eider ducks. What was once a barren island and home of a seagull colony, was transformed to the point where thousands of ducks returned to the island, ushering in a new era of vibrant bird life.

A flock of Eider ducks at Ile-aux-Pommes

“IBA Caretakers are part of an important network of people who are not only protecting birds, but protecting the planet. It’s important for our society to give back to nature,” said Gaston.

As an IBA Caretaker, Gaston is the ears, eyes and hands on the ground at Île-aux-Pommes IBA. He visits the island most weekends and holidays, monitoring birds, assessing habitats, and conducting other conservation activities. He’s part of a network of over 200 volunteers who watch over and protect Important Bird Areas across Canada. First launched by BC Nature with the assistance of a Nature Canada Communities in Action Fund, the Caretaker network now spans nine provinces. Nature Canada and Bird Studies Canada are the national co-partners in delivering the Important Bird Areas program and coordinating the IBA Caretakers Network in Canada.

When Gaston’s not at the IBA, he’s bringing his passion for birds and nature conservation to elementary schools in Quebec. By speaking to children about IBAs and the value of protecting nature, he hopes to inspire young minds to embrace a nature ethic in their everyday lives.

“I love inspiring the next generation to become advocates for nature. It’s a powerful experience for me, and I hope, for them too,” said Gaston. “Just a few months ago, the mother of one of the children who saw my presentation called me to say how her daughter came home talking about the importance of loving and protecting nature. It’s moments like these that keep me going!” said Gaston.

As the national sponsor of the Important Bird Area Caretaker Network, TransCanada Corporation committed $1 million in 2009 to support bird conservation efforts in Canada over the following five years.

Become a Citizen Scientist!

2011-12-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

It’s that time of year again. Thin sheets of ice are forming around the edges of ponds and lakes, leaving less open water and reminding us that winter is around the corner.

While you’re waiting for your favorite water body to freeze and skating and hockey season to begin, take a moment to contribute to our understanding of climate change.

Help scientists understand the effects of climate change by participating in IceWatch, a citizen science program that allows Canadians of all ages to participate in discovering how - and more importantly, why - our natural environment is changing.

As citizen scientists, IceWatch volunteers record the freeze and thaw dates of lakes, ponds and other water bodies. Once those records are submitted online, they are used by scientists to gain a better understanding of climate change.

Why monitor ice events?

Ice phenology — the freeze and thaw dates of water bodies in northern climates — is a good measure of how aquatic ecosystems are responding to climate change. Seasonal differences in the ice cover of lakes and rivers can have serious impacts on Canadian ecosystems. The changes can alter migration patterns and breeding seasons for birds, and food supplies for fish and mammals.

By analyzing citizen records, scientists have found that the freeze-thaw cycles of northern water bodies are changing. However, since climate change is not consistent across the country and there are large gaps in the current monitoring network, scientists require critical data from many more regions.

That’s where your observations are critical. A citizen network of ice-watchers spread throughout Canada can help supply that information. Ice events — the freeze and thaw dates — are easily recorded yearly changes that, with your assistance, can help us monitor the effects of climate change on Canadian ecosystems.

Start IceWatching now by downloading an IceWatch Observation Form or Veille au gel en francais.

Ready to submit your findings? Submit now.

IceWatch is administered through a partnership between Nature Canada and Environment Canada's Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network Coordinating Office (EMAN CO).

Your Green Christmas Guide

2011-12-02T08:59:00.001-05:00

Photo: bostux via Flickr

Dreaming of a green Christmas?

You can lower your carbon footprint, save money and still have a wonderfully festive Christmas this year!

From christmas trees to gift wrap to lighting, try these eco-tips for celebrating a green Christmas.

Here's our first tip, for the rest of them see our web site.

Looking for a Christmas tree? Get real!
Many artificial trees contain contaminants and all are made from petroleum products. Fake trees also travel long distances to reach your local store, which means each one leaves a hefty carbon footprint.

A real tree is a better alternative, but often even real trees come from a significant distance, creating a bigger carbon footprint than the ecologically minded person would like. You can try to buy from a local tree farmer, but there is a third option, one that is becoming more and more popular every year: live Christmas trees.

Like fresh cut real trees, live Christmas trees help remove carbon from the environment and provide a home and food for wildlife while they are growing. Better yet, they end up right back on the job when they are replanted after the holidays. So while live trees may not be the cheapest alternative, they are by far the best ecologically.

Imagine continuing to enjoy the beauty of a Christmas tree all year round. Think of the wildlife that might visit to nest or feed every year!

If planting a tree at home is not an option, donating it to a watershed management or conservation group is another way of helping the environment. You’ll find groups with tree-planting programs in most communities, but be sure to look into this before buying. There may be specific types of trees that can or can’t be used in the area.

Finally, consider renting a live Christmas tree. This way all the benefits of a living tree are there without the hassle of caring for it throughout the rest of the year. Some of the companies that sell real fresh cut and live Christmas trees also provide the option of renting rather than purchasing.

More eco-holiday suggestions.

Connect with Nature: Enjoy a Winter Activity

2011-12-01T11:00:00.000-05:00

Photo by Brian Lockwood

Whether we like it or not, winter weather has arrived! Snow and sub zero temperatures have ushered in a brand new season of fun outdoor activities, not to mention some stunning winter landscapes. Here are a few of the outdoor activities you can look forward to enjoying over the next few months:

1) Outdoor skating: In Canada, we’re lucky to be home to some of the best outdoor skating rinks in the world, like the Rideau Canal and Riviere L’Assomption. Many municipalities maintain outdoor rinks that are free and fun to enjoy. Don’t have your skates of your own? Lots of outdoor rinks will rent skates for a small fee. Make sure to bring some extra change so you can buy yourself a hot chocolate once you get off the ice!

2) Snow shoeing or Cross-Country Skiing: Many of our most beautiful parks transform their walking trails into cross country ski or snow shoe trails during the winter months. These activities are a great way to explore the wilderness and enjoy some outdoor exercise. Before you head out, make sure to check the weather forecast and pack some water and snacks to help sustain you on your journey. If you're keen to try either activity but don’t have equipment of your own, check with your local outdoor outfitter to see if they have equipment available to rent.

Yurt Photo by Tom Kelly

3) Sleeping in a yurt: A yurt is a semi-permanent tent-like structure traditionally used by nomads in Central Asia. Many parks including Algonquin Park, Fundy National Park and Gatineau Park rent modern yurts that blend the comforts of home with the adventure of sleeping in a natural setting. While they are classified as a tent, yurts are much stronger and offer better shelter from the weather, which makes them the perfect for winter camping.

4) Nature walk: This is a great way to observe the natural signs of winter. Bundle up and explore your favorite walking trail to see how it’s changed since you last visited. Keep an eye out for animal tracks in the snow and bring along a field guide to help you identify any species you encounter along the way. It’s not too late to enter our Hug-a-Tree contest, so why not bring along your camera and take a winter-themed photo for your opportunity to win an iPad?

5) Snow activities: Never underestimate how fun it can be to play in the freshly fallen snow. Whether it be sledding, building a snowman or making a snow angel, there are lots of creative ways to have fun outdoors this winter. Just make sure to wear warm clothes and beware of rocks and ice. Have fun!

IBA Caretakers: People Protecting Birds Across Canada - Saskatchewan

2011-11-30T09:37:00.000-05:00

Last week, we heard from two Important Bird Area Caretakers in Alberta, where young naturalists and city dwellers are getting involved in bird conservation.

This week we follow Ted, Nature Canada’s manager of bird conservation, as he heads to Saskatchewan to speak with Lori Wilson, IBA Caretaker for Reed Lake IBA.

Like many Caretakers, Lori has been an avid birder from a young age. She’s also part of a group of local naturalists who regularly monitor birds in the area. Hear Lori talk about her reasons for joining the IBA Caretaker Network and about an innovative project that links communities in Canada, the United States and Mexico through a shared interest in protecting migratory shorebirds.

Lori, already an active birder in her community, brings her interest in bird monitoring and her network of local birders and naturalists, into the IBA program by becoming a Caretaker. They are part of a larger network of volunteers that participate in the IBA Caretakers program. Their work promotes effective bird conservation in Canada.

Do you want to protect your local birds and habitat? Consider becoming an Important Bird Area Caretaker!

You can find out more about becoming a Caretaker and explore Important Bird Areas in Canada at ibacanada.ca.

Stay tuned for our next post where you will hear from a Caretaker in Quebec who owns a very special island in the St. Lawrence.

Declare Your Favourite Lake or Water Body by Signing the Love My Lake Declaration

2011-11-28T09:43:00.000-05:00

As lakes across Canada started to phase from water into ice earlier this month, I asked if any of you has a favourite lake or water body. I also mentioned that Nature Canada is introducing the first national Love My Lake Declaration. Well now I'm back to invite you, your friends and family, your co-workers and your fellow freshwater-lovers to sign it!

The Declaration represents a list of people from coast, to coast, to coast (and beyond!) who want to declare their love for Canada's lakes and other (fresh)water bodies. Simply fill out and submit the form below and voilà, you've made official your love of Canada's aquatic environments - in all their wondrous and valuable forms.

Last week I shared my fervor for two Canadian waterscapes: Frozen Ocean Lake in Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia and Big Trout and Trout Lakes in Ontario's Algonquin Provincial Park - and I've already added them to the Declaration. But let's not 'dam' the enthusiasm for waterscapes there... add your favourite lake or water body now!

So don't click away until you've had a chance to sign the Declaration below! Check back soon for an update on how many Canadian waterscapes have been listed.

Federal Government Must Prevent Extinction of Sage-Grouse in Canada

2011-11-23T15:03:00.001-05:00

The stunning Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus urophasianus) is facing extinction in Canada. It could disappear from Alberta within a year if action for its protection is not taken immediately.

Today, through a legal petition issued on our behalf by Ecojustice, Nature Canada called on the federal Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Peter Kent, to recommend that Cabinet issue an emergency order to prevent further degradation of Greater Sage-grouse critical habitat and take the necessary measures to ensure the survival of this iconic species.

We are joined in this effort by 11 other conservation organizations, including our partners in the Canadian Nature Network, Nature Alberta, Nature Saskatchewan, Grassland Naturalists and Lethbridge Naturalists Society, as well as our US partner in BirdLife International, the National Audubon Society-Rockies.

We're also calling on the public to send letters in support of immediate action to save the Sage-grouse.

The Canadian population of Sage-grouse declined by almost 90 per cent between 1988 and 2006. By 2010, there were only 42 males at 2 active breeding grounds or “leks” in Saskatchewan. In Alberta, there are thought to be only 13 males remaining with the total provincial population estimated at approximately 30 birds in 2011.

The alarming population decline of Greater Sage-grouse demands immediate attention both to prevent the species from disappearing from Canada and because of what it tells us about the mounting habitat degradation in Canada’s grasslands. In Alberta, only 30% of native grasslands remain. Less than 2% of Alberta's grasslands natural region is protected, yet it supports 70% of the mammal, bird, reptile, and amphibian species at risk in that province. Greater Sage-grouse are indicators of the health of Canada’s shrub-steppe and Great Plains ecosystems. Measures taken to protect and restore sage-grouse habitat will benefit many other species at risk including: Burrowing Owl, Swift Fox, Badger, Sprague’s Pipit and Great Plains Toad.

The Greater Sage-grouse has long been the subject of fascination and research because of its elaborate and spectacular courtship displays. In early spring, males congregate in large numbers at areas referred to as leks to perform their annual courtship rituals. The male's notorious "strutting display" is described as a series of forward struts, "wing swishes", inflations and deflations of the throat sac while making popping and whistling sounds, fanning out of its tail and erecting its head plumes while throwing its head back and forth.

Females rear their young on their own with no help from males. The average clutch size ranges from six to nine eggs and the incubation period is 25 to 29 days. The Greater Sage-grouse's young are precocial, meaning they leave the nest soon after hatching.

The Greater Sage-grouse reside in warm, dry, grasslands, as sagebrush, which grows in the described area, is their main food source. Although young and adult birds will feed on other plant species and some insects in the summertime, sagebrush consists of 47-60% of the adult bird's diet in the summer and 100% in the winter.

Sage-grouse need large blocks of unfragmented sagebrush grassland habitat to thrive. Their range in Canada has been reduced to only 6% of its historic extent because of loss and degradation of this habitat. Sage-grouse are now found only in the southeast corner of Alberta and southwest corner of Saskatchewan.

Sage-grouse are highly sensitive to disturbance. Recent scientific research suggests that rapid encroachment of oil and gas development on the areas where Sage-grouse spend the winter, breed, nest and raise their young is the leading factor in their extreme population drop.

Alberta and Saskatchewan each have a Wildlife Act and voluntary guidelines for energy development near sage-grouse habitat, but provincial protections are so lax that Sage-grouse continue to decline.

Under section 80 of Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA), the federal Cabinet has the power to make an emergency order to protect important habitat of an endangered species anywhere in Canada. The emergency order can prohibit any activities that may harm the species or the habitat necessary for its survival or recovery. Under SARA, the federal environment Minister has a mandatory duty to recommend that Cabinet make an emergency order if he or she is of the opinion that the species faces “imminent threats to its survival or recovery”.

In addition to seeking federal protection for sage-grouse under SARA, we are calling on the oil and gas industry to voluntarily provide sage-grouse with the protection they need. You can learn more about Greater Sage-grouse, read our petition and send a letter to Environment Minister Peter Kent asking for immediate emergency action to prevent this shameful extinction!

Celebrating Nature Canada’s Members and Partners

2011-11-22T13:30:00.000-05:00

Brian Lipskie, President of Rae & Lipskie Partnership, addresses members at our recent member appreciation event.

Mark Dorfman, past Chairman and current member of the Nature Canada Board of Directors, hosted Nature Canada’s Member Appreciate event in Cambridge, Ontario this fall. He recounts a day spent connecting with Nature Canada’s diverse members and supporters.

As the past Chairman of the Board of Directors and a local resident of the Waterloo region, it was my honour and delight to host Nature Canada’s Member Outreach and Appreciation event, held a few weeks ago at Langdon Hall in Cambridge, a beautiful spot so near to the Grand River watershed. With over 50 members from Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, Cambridge (and a few from as far as Hamilton and Brantford) attending the celebrations, it was an excellent turnout and capacity crowd.

It was wonderful to welcome and meet the diversity of people who make up the Nature Canada community, from hikers, birders, botanists, to parents, teachers and professors. With so many naturalists in the room together, it showed me once again that there are people who recognize the beauty of nature, its importance, and who understand the need to protect it. It was also a joy to have the opportunity to re-connect with each other.

I spoke of my two favourite memories of the past year. I fondly remembered participating at the dedication ceremony for the Malcolm Bluffs Shore Nature Reserve, a stunning piece of the Bruce Peninsula now protected forever thanks to a bequest left by the late Hugo Germeraad, a Nature Canada member. Attending the Board of Director’s annual general meeting held at Oak Hammock Marsh, an Important Bird Area near Winnipeg, Manitoba was also a highlight for me.

I enjoyed introducing the participants to Ian Davidson (who himself is a graduate of the University of Guelph’s wildlife management course) who has been doing an excellent job of leading Nature Canada since he joined the organization over two years ago. Ian spoke about the organization’s continued focus on protecting critical habitats and species through the lens of birds, highlighting key successes in our Important Bird Areas work and the numerous local volunteer Important Bird Area Caretakers who are fundamental to its success. Ian began his presentation by introducing the crowd to the cat “bib” which led to a lively discussion about the impact of outdoor cats on bird populations.

He also talked about Nature Canada’s efforts to engage children and youth with nature through the My Parks Pass program, run in partnership with Parks Canada. Given this is the 100th anniversary of our National Parks system, I believe it’s more important than ever for Nature Canada to be actively involved in encouraging the next generation to care as deeply about these magnificent places.

Ian finished by thanking the members and donors of Nature Canada for their dedication and commitment to nature and its protection. Their personal engagement leads to positive action and our many successes.

Our Member Outreach and Appreciation celebration was sponsored by our portfolio Investment Counsel, Rae & Lipskie who oversee our investments, including the Charles Labatiuk Nature Endowment Fund. Both Ken Rae and Brian Lipskie were in attendance and I thanked them for their continued partnership with our organization over the past decade and invited Brian to speak on behalf of the firm. Brian outlined the ways their company is actively involved with the local community and thanked us for the opportunity to be involved with such a worthwhile charity.

In concluding the event, I made sure to thank our local partners in attendance such as Fraser Gibson, President of the Kitchener Waterloo Field Naturalists, and Mike Kelly, President of the Guelph Field Naturalists, for their support in our collective efforts. It can be said that the greatest threats to nature cannot be solved by any one organization. Conservation success comes thanks to our strength in numbers.

I most enjoyed the opportunity to meet and thank each of the supporters in attendance (including Legacy donors, Nature Builders, Guardian of Nature monthly donors and annual members), letting them know that it is their loyal and dedicated support that has sustained Nature Canada year after year, for decades. Our members are core to what we do, and the many successes we will achieve in the future.

A lively question and answer session ensued and many members stayed on longer to have the opportunity to chat with Ian, myself and staff.

Give a Green Gift this Holiday Season!

2011-11-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

Homemade jams. Photo: kayakeverwhere via Flickr

Helene Van Doninck, a wildlife veterinarian at the Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and a regular contributor to the Nature Canada blog, shares 11 great green gift ideas for friends and family this holiday season.

The holiday season is rapidly approaching, and with it comes the task of finding gifts for loved ones. In my world, most people are trying to decrease the amount of “things” in their homes , so I honour that when selecting gifts. It is also important to me to pick items that are green or earth friendly. Doing this doesn’t mean changing my entire strategy or even the traditional categories of gifts for people. It just means altering choices to pick items that are less harmful to the environment, and many of these gifts end up being more meaningful to the recipient.

Green gift strategies can apply whether you enjoy the process of finding the perfect gift for everyone, or if you normally dread the decision making process and want it to be as quick and painless as possible. Gift suggestions will follow but some general guidelines for making your holiday spending ecologically responsible include:

Buy locally, from independent services, stores, crafters and artisans. This will keep dollars in your community and decrease the footprint of your purchases. Farmer’s markets and craft cooperatives are fun places to shop.
Choose products whose components are sustainably obtained.
Consider gifts of experiences, events , or outings which appeal to the recipient. This supports local businesses and won’t add more possessions to the person who is trying to scale back.
Avoid excessive packaging, both in your purchase and when you wrap the item. Tea towels and fabric throws make great re- useable wrapping and homemade cards can be fun for the giver and the recipient.
Reduce, re-use, and recycle are always good principles to keep in mind.

11 Green Holiday Gifts:

1. Gift Certificates - Often thought of as the easy way out, but they are really the perfect gift: satisfaction guaranteed and no returns. Even better: support stores and services that have a good environmental record.

2. Concert/event tickets – Tickets to an event, series, or a gift certificate to a local cultural centre will give the music/arts lover on your list something to look forward to in the new year.

3. Outdoor Gear – Anything that encourages people to get out and experience wilderness is bound to convert them to active stewards of their little piece of the world. Consider things like binoculars, bird guides, backpacks, snowshoes, skis, and outdoor clothing.

4. Green Stars – Bicycles, bicycle gear, public transport passes, composters, wind-up radios and flashlights, re-useable insulated ceramic or steel coffee mugs, or anything that encourages a lower footprint.

5. Food – Choose items that are local and ethically sourced, or fair trade. Even better are items you make yourself such as a tin of cookies, preserves or anything homemade. Farm cooperatives are now widespread and a membership will provide fresh local vegetables and support farmers.

6. A Night Out – This can include movie passes, restaurant gift certificates, and even babysitting services.

7. Donations/Memberships to Environmental Organizations – These can be very meaningful to both the organization and your loved one. Consider symbolic adoptions of animals for rescue/wildlife groups and concepts like symbolic donations of medical care, education and sustainable food/enterprise to developing countries. Our wildlife rehabilitation centre produces a wildlife calendar as an education tool each year , featuring past patients . Supporters have purchased this as a holiday gift and it has become a major fundraiser for us. Supporting Nature Canada is a great a way to help protect local wildlife and habitat.

8. Green Up Your Traditional Gifts – If you generally buy clothing or bath products , purchase items made from organic cotton, bamboo or hemp, and choose bath and cosmetic products made from ethically sourced ingredients that are not tested on animals. Local crafts are always good choices too.

9. Wildlife Friendly Gifts – A gift certificate for trees, shrubs , plants or gardening services redeemable in the spring will provide habitat for local wildlife. Tuck this in a basket of gardening tools. Bird feeders and nest boxes are great presents too and will provide years of enjoyment.

10. Educational Gifts – Think about books on environmental topics, vegetarian cooking, or even an e-reader. Gift certificates to workshops, courses, or lessons that fit your recipient are also fun. Maybe they have always wanted to learn to ski, make pottery, build bird houses, cook, weave, etc.

11. Gifts of Time and Memories – Creative gifts include handmade gift certificates for things like babysitting, cooking a meal, pampering, or yard care. A CD , DVD , or album featuring a compilation of family photos or videos is a cherished gift. Also remember that the holiday season is a particularly difficult time of year for some people , so remember to visit, contact, or include these people in festivities if possible.

Happy Holidays and have a safe and Happy New Year!

Do you have a favourite lake or pond?

2011-11-17T13:50:00.000-05:00


Ice formation, Stan Wojtaszek

With Fall well underway, Canadians are saying "see you soon" to lakes and ponds all across the country for yet another winter. Swimming, paddling, fishing and visits to the lakeside cottage have, among other things, been put on hold for awhile. But now is a great time to reflect on the many ways that lakes and ponds help us connect to nature throughout the year; how they are part of our experience of the 'true north, strong and free'. And I can't forget all the opportunities lakes offer for pond hockey, ice-fishing and skating during the winter months!

Canadians love their waterscapes, it's pretty much a fact. Saskatchewan-based author Allan Casey explores the almost intrinsic relationship Canadians have with lakes and other water bodies in his 2010 Governor General's Award-winning book Lakeland: Journeys into the Soul of Canada. Through a series of encounters with several of Canada's lesser-known but nonetheless well-loved lakes, Casey explains how lakes are an integral part of the Canadian experience. In the opening chapter he writes:

"Like a lot of Canadians, I have been drawn irresistibly to lakes my whole life. Access to pure lakes is fundamental to my quality of life in my home and native land. I love them all." (from p.2)

That excerpt resonates with me in many ways. I didn't grow up on a lake, nor did I grow up with a lakeside family cottage or taking annual paddling trips or attending summer camp. But I did grow up with fond memories of lots of time spent at lakes and ponds, giving me a great appreciation of them as accessible water bodies. For me lakes were not the ocean, which in my experience on the Bay of Fundy was an all-at-once powerful, beautiful and merciless body of water. Lakes were by no means innocuous in my mind, but they were more palpable, more enjoyable - they were more fun.

With my training in environmental science and biology, lakes came to mean even more to me and my experience as a Canadian. Lakes are so much more than just bodies of water or habitat for "fish". You can read all about lakes as habitat and how to promote healthier human and wildlife habitat along Canada's shorelines at The Living By Water Project. You may also be interested in a report our own Ted Cheskey recently co-authored, called Birds At Risk: The Importance of Canada's Boreal Wetlands and Waterways.

Since expanding my perspective on lakes, I've become an avid paddler (whenever I get the chance) and I love exploring lakes in search of birds, fish, crustaceans, freshwater molluscs, dragonflies and other invertebrates, submergent and emergent plants, solace, recharge... you name it. And now as a parent I have the opportunity to see lakes through my daughter's eyes. I look forward to our first paddling trip together, or the first time we skate on a wide open pond. We had lots of fun this summer exploring lakes in baby-steps (literally) and finding out how fun it is to get Mummy and Daddy wet.

Do I have a favourite lake in Canada? Absolutely! I love a waterscape called Frozen Ocean Lake in Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia. I have fond memories of introducing good friends to open water paddling on that lake, and the back-country campsites are amazing! I also love Big Trout and Trout Lakes in Ontario's Algonquin Provincial Park. And I'm always glad to expand this list!

So, do you have a favourite lake or pond? If so then stay tuned to our blog. Why? Because we're starting Canada's first 'Love My Lake' Declaration - a list of people who want to declare that Canada's lakes are special to them. Check back soon for more details on how you can get involved!

Connect with Nature: Celebrate Universal Children's Day

2011-11-17T09:11:00.000-05:00

Did you know that November 20th is Universal Children's Day ? The United Nations first proclaimed this day in 1954 to promote child welfare across the world. There are few better ways to celebrate than helping a child connect with nature!

In his 2005 book “Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder”, Richard Louv reported a startling decrease in the amount of direct exposure that many of today’s children have to nature. In a recent study, 73% of parents reported that their children spend their after-school hours watching TV, reading or playing video or computer games, rather than enjoying outdoor play or physical activity. The same study found that children are spending an average of six hours per day in front of a computer or television screen outside of school hours.

The effects of this problem – dubbed “nature-deficit disorder” by Louv – are troubling. A growing number of studies are demonstrating a link between this lack of interaction with nature and problems like childhood obesity and attention-deficit disorder. Luckily, help can be as close as your own backyard. Doctors are reporting that spending as little as 20 minutes per day in an urban park, community or personal garden, can have a positive impact on our physical and emotional heath.

This Sunday, celebrate Universal Children’s Day by spending a little extra time outdoors. Not sure where to start? Check out this list of fun nature activities for families or join a presentation by a nature club or young naturalist club near you.

Photo by Brenda Foubert

IBA Caretakers: People Protecting Birds Across Canada - Alberta

2011-11-16T13:00:00.000-05:00

In our last post, we heard from Important Bird Area Caretakers in British Columbia. In this post we follow Ted, Nature Canada's manager of bird conservation, to Alberta where he speaks with two Caretakers about the value of the IBA Caretaker Network.

For Judy Boyd, caring for Bearhills Important Bird Area was a good fit with her volunteer work with a young naturalist club in Red Deer, Alberta. Part of what she does as a Caretaker is monitor birds at the IBA – and counting birds is something young naturalists are more than ready to help out with!

In this video Greg Wagner, IBA Caretaker for Frank Lake Important Bird Area, talks about the special features of this IBA, which lies just 50km south of Calgary, Alberta. Greg also explains why he thinks IBA Caretakers can effectively promote bird conservation by talking to local stakeholders.

As IBA Caretakers, Greg and Judy channel their passion for nature and protecting birds by monitoring birds, assessing habitats, and conducting conservation activities at Important Bird Areas. They are part of a larger network of volunteers that participate in the IBA Caretakers program. Their work promotes effective bird conservation in Canada.

Do you want to protect your local birds and habitat? Consider becoming an Important Bird Area Caretaker!

You can find out more about becoming a Caretaker and explore Important Bird Areas in Canada at ibacanada.ca

Next week, we’ll hear from a Caretaker in Manitoba who has been a passionate birder from a young age. Stay tuned!

Celebrating Charles Labatiuk’s Life and Legacy

2011-11-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

Chuck Priestly, Natalia Labatiuk and Bill Labatiuk at Beaverhill Lake IBA

In celebration of National Philanthropy day in Canada, Jodi Joy, Nature Canada’s manager of legacy giving, shares a story about the legacy of the late Charles Labatiuk.

“I still remember the day of his birth,” said Natalia Labatiuk, “Today would have been his 55th birthday.”

Instead his parents, Bill and Natalia, and myself celebrated Charles’ life and spirit by visiting Beaverhill Lake Important Bird Area (IBA), a place that was so dear and close to his heart.

On our drive to Beaverhill Lake Important Bird Area, located just outside Tofield, Alberta, I laid eyes on the prairie landscape for the first time, being a Northern Ontario girl myself. I saw widespread rolling hills and grasslands galore.

Bill, Natalia and I met Chuck Priestly, the Executive Director of the Beaverhill Bird Observatory, at the gate. We passed by cattle that share this space with shorebirds that migrate through and stop over at the site. Chuck then toured us through the IBA visiting the “Herrier Highway” where we viewed some juvenile harriers in flight.

Walking past the fence, he remarked on the importance of the fence to ensure protection from the local cow herd that was trampling on nest sites and knocking over nestboxes, thus negatively impacting the success of the nesting birds, and thanked Nature Canada for the funds to erect it. And we passed by the 200 or so songbird boxes that are maintained and repaired each year. Next we visited the bird banding station where he updated us on recent monitoring trends. The lab is over twenty years old and this year's Labatiuk Endowment funds helped repair the roof and upgrade facilities and cabins.

Sitting over lunch we reminisced about Charles' many memories and accolades. His legacy continues on in the great work being achieved by the volunteers at Beaverhill Bird Observatory. We wondered about Jeff Howard, the first recipient of the scholarship in Charles' name and Annie Buckton, the 9 year old whose exceptional initiative and volunteerism was also recently awarded, and pondered how this recognition will nurture their own dreams. Bill and Natalia reflected that Charles would be happiest to know that this special space and the birds that depend on it will be protected for others to enjoy for years to come.

What a fitting birthday tribute to Charles. We all hope to be remembered so fondly.

Through a generous legacy gift, the Charles Labatiuk Nature Endowment Fund supports bird conservation work at Beaverhill Lake Important Bird Area, provides an entrance scholarship for a young naturalist for their post-secondary studies in the natural sciences and rewards volunteer excellence.

Polar Bear Listed As Species of Special Concern

2011-11-11T10:29:00.001-05:00

Thanks in large part to letters you sent, the federal government has officially declared the Polar Bear a species of special concern under the Species at Risk Act.

Nearly 63,000 Nature Canada supporters asked the federal government to take action for polar bears. You asked for these three things:

List the polar bear in law,
Complete the required management plan ahead of the three-year legal deadline and
Take action on climate change to protect polar bear habitat

Today, Nature Canada supports the government’s decision to recognize the perilous condition of Canada’s Polar Bear population by listing it under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).

The listing in law officially recognises the at-risk status which the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) has assigned to the polar bear since 1991. This important milestone means that, by law, a plan must be devised within three years to prevent the species from becoming endangered or threatened.

During the public comment period for the proposal to list the Polar Bear as a species of special concern, 99% of the comments received by the government supported the proposal. The vast majority of comments called for official designation under SARA and fast action on climate change.

The message was clear: listing the polar bear, coupled with action on climate change, are necessary to save one of Canada’s most iconic species.

With nearly 15,000 polar bears, Canada accounts for 60 per cent of the world's polar bear population. But dramatic changes, caused by global warming, are taking place in the Arctic that threaten the survival of this spectacular species.

Climate change is causing polar ice caps to melt, robbing the bears of the ice floes they need to hunt prey. If the Arctic ice cap continues to melt sooner and form later, Polar Bears will become too thin to reproduce and many scientists predict they will become extinct by the end of this century.

Thousands of Nature Canada supporters asked the federal government to act now before it’s too late – and much work still needs to be done to protect the Polar Bear.

Nature Canada urges the federal government to take fast action on climate change to prevent the extinction of this spectacular species, and strongly recommends that a management plan – mandated by law – be completed in advance of the three-year deadline.

Minister Peter Kent joins My Parks Pass in launching Canada’s Coolest School Trip contest

2011-11-10T11:00:00.004-05:00

This morning in Toronto, Canadian Environment Minister Peter Kent joined Grade 8 students from École Secondaire Étienne Brulé and Gordon A. Brown Middle School to kick off “Canada’s Coolest School Trip”, the newest contest for the My Parks Pass program.

The contest, run in partnership between My Parks Pass, Brewster Travel Canada, and Banff Lake Louise Tourism, with the support of Air Canada, challenges Grade 8/secondary 2 classes to re-create a significant moment related to a Canadian national park, national historic site or national marine conservation area. This could mean recreating the moments leading up to Confederation at Sir George-Etienne Cartier National Historic Site, reliving the sinking of the W. L. Wetmore at Fathom Five National Marine Conservation Area or even joining in the Yukon gold rush at Dawson Historical Complex.

The My Parks Pass program works to connect Grade 8/secondary 2 students across the country with Canada’s national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas. Nature Canada is pleased to be partner in the My Parks Pass program and share in the opportunity to engage Canadian youth in our natural and cultural heritage. “Few countries have been as profoundly shaped by nature as Canada,” said Ian Davidson, Executive Director of Nature Canada. “Canada’s parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas provide a vital link to our shared history and culture, and it’s important our youth have the chance to experience them.”

Stay tuned! Starting January 9th, we’ll be calling on the public to vote for their favorite video on the My Parks Pass website. The winning Grade 8/secondary 2 class will win a trip to Banff National Park for 4 days of fun. This is as cool as it gets.

Thank You Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club!

2011-11-09T13:36:00.007-05:00

On Tuesday evening, I was invited as speaker for the Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club (OFNC) monthly meeting in the theatre of the Canadian Museum of Nature. My topic was Important Bird Areas, but I was not going to miss the opportunity to bring the local club up to date with recent changes in Nature Canada. It had been many years since a Nature Canada staffer had talked to the OFNC; in fact no one could remember the last time. Nature Canada Executive Director, and member of the OFNC, Ian Davidson, was in attendence, and by the end of the presentation, he was an active participant in the lively round of questions.

Forty-four people were in the theatre, many of whom confided that they did not know that there was an IBA in their backyard (Lac Deschenes). I am grateful for the opportunity to talk to our local club, and discuss the IBA program with its members and to consider opportunities for collaboration. Nature Canada's roots are with the naturalists of Canada. Staying connected to our 'foundation' is important to Nature Canada as an organization and to me personally as a naturalist.

I was delighted that two friends of mine, Jeff Skevington and Linda Burr, both members of the OFNC, introduced me and thanked me. I look forward to working with OFNC members on common projects around Lac Deschenes and other areas of joint interest. I also look forward to my own participation in the OFNC as a member and a participant in some of their events, such as the Christmas Bird Count.

IBA Caretakers: People Protecting Birds Across Canada – British Columbia

2011-11-09T08:00:00.002-05:00

Across Canada, Canadians are engaging their communities to protect birds and their habitats by becoming Important Bird Area Caretakers.

As a Caretaker, they are part of the Important Bird Areas Caretaker Network, a nationwide initiative involving volunteers who watch over and protect natural spaces that are vitally important for breeding, migrating, staging and wintering birds.

Ted Cheskey, Nature Canada’s manager of bird conservation, recently met with Caretakers from British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

In this blog series, we follow Ted as he makes his way back east and discovers the many ways Important Bird Area Caretakers are making a difference on the ground to protect our birds.

Picking up where the last post left off, Ted pays a visit to the southern Okanagan Valley of British Columbia where he speaks with Doreen Olsen, an Important Bird Area Caretaker for White Lake IBA.

People join the IBA Caretaker Network for a wide range of reasons. For many, a love of birds and wild spaces in their communities drew them to the network and inspired them to become Caretakers. In this video, Doug Brown, a bird bander at Vaseux Lake Bird Observatory in south Okanagan Valley, briefly explains why he was motivated to become a Caretaker for Osoyoos Oxbows IBA.

Conservation of Important Bird Areas is a cornerstone of effective bird conservation in Canada and around the world. Caretakers – the eyes, ears and feet on the ground – make this important work possible. As a Caretaker, they channel their passion for nature and protecting birds by monitoring birds, assessing habitats, and conducting conservation activities at Important Bird Areas. To date, there are Caretakers in every province in Canada.

Do you want to protect your local birds and habitat? Consider becoming an Important Bird Area Caretaker!

You can find out more about becoming a Caretaker and explore Important Bird Areas in Canada at ibacanada.ca

Next week, we’ll hear two Caretakers in Alberta talk about what makes the Important Bird Areas that they care for so special. Stay tuned!

Are you new to this blog series? Read the latest news on IBA Caretakers and watch more one-on-one interviews with Caretakers.

Nature Canada presents at the Earth Day 2011 EcoMentors Youth Conference

2011-11-08T12:49:00.014-05:00

This past weekend, Nature Canada had the pleasure of taking part in the Earth Day 2011 EcoMentors Youth Conference in Ottawa.

The EcoMentors program provides training and resources for youth ages 15-24 looking to become community leaders for the environment. This year’s conference welcomed youth from across the country for a day of interactive workshops and activities designed to inspire participants to promote positive change for the environment. Nature Canada was pleased to be on-hand to present our Nature Explorers program model and share with participants how we use on-line tools to inspire off-line, nature-based action in Canadians.

The ultimate goal of the Nature Explorers program is to connect one million Canadian youth and their families with multiple positive experiences in nature over the next three to five years. We look forward to building this relationship with EcoMentors and being a part of this exciting opportunity to empower Canadian youth to become environmental leaders in their own communities.

Photo by EcoMentors

Connect with Nature: Set up a backyard bird feeder

2011-11-03T13:51:00.000-04:00

As the weather gets colder and some birds prepare for a long winter at home, this is a perfect time to set up a backyard bird feeder. Backyard feeders provide birds with a good source of energy for the cold winter months and create excellent bird watching opportunities. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your backyard birding experience.

Choose the right feeder: There are lots of feeder types to choose from. Depending on your region, you could be visited by dozens of different bird species. The ideal feeder is sturdy enough to withstand winter weather, easy to clean and tight enough to keep bird feed dry. Suet bird feeders can be particularly good for birds this time of year because of the high energy content in suet mix, made from hard fats and other ingredients like peanuts or cornmeal. Hopper, or “house” feeders, offer good protection from the winter weather and are attractive to a wide range of feeder birds. Want to attract as many bird species as possible? Provide several different feeder styles and types of feed to maximize the species you see in your yard.

Pick a good location: Place your feeders in a quiet area where they are easy to see and convenient to refill. If you can, offer birds a refuge by placing feeders close to trees or shrubs where they can wait their turn to feed. Another factor to consider when choosing a location is the risk of window collisions. Birds can perceive a reflection in your window as a pathway through your house, so make sure to choose a location that will reduce this risk. Monitor your feeder to assess its location and if collisions become a issue, consider consulting Cornell's Lab of Ornithology for tips on how to mitigate the problem.

Keep it clean: Birds can become ill from leftover bits of seed and bird droppings that accumulate on feeder trays. Give your feeder a thorough wash with soap and water every few weeks or more often if necessary during heavy feeding periods. If you are setting up a suet feeder, make sure to be extra vigilant about keeping it clean. Suet mix can spoil easily in warmer weather.

Get to know your visitors: Bird watching continues to be one of the most popular pastimes around. Keep an eye on the birds that frequent your feeder and spend some time observing their size, shape, colour and behavior. If you’re having trouble identifying the species, snap a quick photo and use a field guide or allaboutbirds.org to narrow the possibilities. Don’t forget that you can always share your photos with fellow nature lovers through our Flickr pool or Nature Explorers community!

Make your observations count: Once you’ve got your bird feeder up and running, consider joining Project Feederwatch. Participants in this project periodically count the birds that appear at their feeders and submit their data to Bird Studies Canada, Nature Canada's co-partner in delivering the Important Bird Areas Program. By submitting your data, you’ll be helping scientists determine how bird populations are changing across North America. It’s open to all skill levels and is a great way to contribute to an international bird conservation effort.

Photo by Dbarronoss

Unlikely Partnership Paves the Way for Grasslands Conservation

2011-11-02T10:30:00.004-04:00

Fernando Adauto is a cattle producer in Lavras and a key figure in leading collaborations between cattle producers and conservation groups

Grasslands are arguably the most threatened ecosystem globally. In North America less than 20 percent of native grasslands remain intact. The Southern Cone of South America has seen the conversion to agriculture, plantations or urbanization of around 50% of its grasslands and conversion continues at an alarming rate. Grasslands biodiversity, including birds, and the gaucho culture are at risk.

Cattle born and raised on natural grasslands

But an unlikely partnership between local producers and conservationists is trying to turn this around.

I had the opportunity this past week to participate in the fifth gathering of the Alliance for the Grasslands, known as the Encuentro de Ganaderos de Pastizales Naturales (Gathering of Natural Pasture Cattle Producers) in the town of Lavras do Sul, in southern Brazil.

These unique Encuentros have been bringing together Aves Argentinas, SAVE Brasil, Guyra Paraguay and Aves Uruguay - the BirdLife Partners from the region - with a growing number of landowners, experts, government officials and other groups and individuals interested in the conservation of natural grasslands, biodiversity and the traditional gaucho way of life.

Among the many ambitious and exciting projects of the Alliance is a certification system for beef produced on native grasslands, for which they've agreed on the overall guidelines and are working out the implementation details. The Alliance is also working with rice producers and on recognizing the ecosystem services provided by natural grasslands and providing economic incentives to conserve them.

As it celebrates five years of these Encuentros, the Alliance asked Nature Canada to carry out an evaluation of its progress. I had the opportunity to do this analysis and participate in the V Encuentro to share the preliminary findings and conduct a workshop to gather feedback from participants. I hope that this evaluation will be helpful to the Alliance in identifying gaps, opportunities and in planning its priority actions for the coming years.

I led a workshop with producers to gather feedback on the preliminary evaluation findings where participants identified the need to bring technical expertise to producers so can they improve the productivity of ranches based on natural pastures. The group has proposed creating an international training program to build on and share existing knowledge and know how.

Facilitating a workshop with ranchers from the Pampas of South America

At the same time, the exercise has been a fabulous opportunity to learn about this groundbreaking initiative supported by the BirdLife partnership and for bringing lessons back to North America.

Nature Canada, along with our BirdLife partners National Audubon in the US, and Pronatura in Mexico are looking forward to taking part in a project of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation that seeks to strengthen links in support of healthy ecosystems and communities in the grasslands of North America.

Many of these efforts will benefit the same birds because many of "our" declining grassland birds (including Bobolink and Swainson's hawk, to name but two) migrate to the grasslands of the Southern Cone of South America.

An opportunity still exists to save the grasslands of the Americas, but we urgently need to step up the effort. Despite the many challenges, the Alliance of the Grasslands of the Southern Cone of South America gives me hope that we can do this both in North and South America!

My Reflections on the Release of the "Birds at Risk" Report

2011-10-27T08:42:00.002-04:00

For over a year, I have worked with colleagues with National Resources Defence Council and Boreal Songbird Initiative on writing the Birds at Risk: The Importance of Canada’s Boreal Wetlands and Waterways.

It is good to see it out in the public forum. Though I’ve lived most of the my life in southern Canada, I have spent considerable time in the boreal region, first as a Park Naturalist on Lake Superior, and afterwards as an atlasser for the Atlas of Breeding Birds of Ontario – both in the early 1980s, and between 2001 and 2005, with the Quebec Breeding Bird Atlas in 1987, and a range of other trips both related to work and pleasure.

I’ve learned that canoeing is the only viable means of getting around in the summer, that in the Hudson Bay lowlands, even with gloves, long sleeves and a bug net over my head, 64 black flies can bite me under my watch band in one day, that there can still be ice along some of the rivers in late June, and most importantly that the vast forests and river systems are not uninhabited, but rather part of the homelands of First Nations peoples. The bugs, the rapids and the sudden changes in temperature do not scare me . . . but the red tinted water escaping from the mine tailings empoundment, the sickly smell of herbicides from aerial spraying and the distant din of machines do.

I am one of those auditory birders – though I enjoy seeing birds, I love hearing them and find great satisfaction in knowing their voices. The sound scape of the boreal wetlands is unequal for drama and beauty. The Common Loon’s song is at the top of the most emotive and haunting sounds on earth. Add to this the melodic flute-like refrains of Hermit Thrushes, a cheery chorus of White-throated Sparrow, the staccato explosiveness of a Connecticut Warbler’s song, and the emphatic “Whip-three-beers” of the threatened Olive-sided Flycatcher, and you have, in my view, the perfect symphony.

Sadly, members of the orchestra are dropping out as pressures to exploit the rich resources of the boreal accelerate destruction and change, and climate change tightens its grip on these northern biomes.

As manager of bird conservation programs for Nature Canada, I know that part of our mission is to be a voice for nature, including the species that are being silenced. We hope that the messages from this report will be discussed, debated and inform decisions related to this precious biome. This is our chance as a country to make a difference for our children, and their children with our largest ecological contribution to the earth’s health, our boreal forest.

The Big Year: Birders and Non-Birders Give Their Two Cents

2011-10-26T08:00:00.000-04:00

It’s the movie the birding community had hotly anticipated all year.

Now, a few weeks after opening night, The Big Year is garnering praise from some groups and light disapproval from others.

Starring Hollywood’s three funny men, Steve Martin, Owen Wilson, and Jack Black, it’s about three guys vying to spot the most birds in one 12-month period.

Their quest takes them across North America, testing their bird spotting prowess while rocking the boat with their loved ones.

Based on the novel by Mark Obmascik, The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature, and Fowl Obsession, the movie is filmed in British Columbia and directed by David Frankel, with many Canadian bird experts serving as advisors on the film. We have collected an assortment of reviews from bird blogs, to the mainstream media, to bird enthusiasts at Nature Canada to give you a snap shot of what is being said about this comedy of birds and men.

Starting with those who gave the movie two thumbs up:

“I went to opening night in Penticton, a town in the south Okanagan of British Columbia, with about 45 other birders. Many of us wore our binoculars and used them in the movie. This added much to the ambiance. I enjoyed the movie. It was fun, the acting was pretty good, and birders were portrayed as real people. Many of the scenes were filmed in the Okanagan and Vancouver area – knowing this added to my enjoyment. Though not a great movie, I doubt anyone was expecting that, it was a good movie that is definitely worth a night out at the local theatre.”

-   Ted Cheskey, Nature Canada bird conservation manager

"This film offered up life lessons learned through birding, using characters that were authentic and diverse, not the stereotypes I feared I’d see on screen: Young, old, rich, not-so-rich, men and women brought together by a shared interest. As much about male bonding as it is about birding, the film left me smiling."

-   Chris Sutton, Nature Canada director of communications

“…bird watching isn’t often treated kindly (or accurately) in movies, and mistakes are so common that sometimes it seems like Hollywood actually tries to get the facts wrong. So it was with pleasure, surprise, and great admiration for the director and stars that I came away from the movie satisfied, intrigued, amused, and even touched by what I’d seen.”
-   Round Robin, The Cornell Blog of Ornithology

In this Youtube clip, BC birding authority Dick Cannings of Bird Studies Canada shares his first impressions of the movie after seeing it with 35 members of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network in a small theatre in Penticton BC. Cannings was an advisor to some of the scenes in the Okanagan, and one of his books appeared in the film.

“We were all in agreement—it gets two thumbs up! The movie is pretty upfront with their intentions from the very first screen: The Big Year is based on a true story…just the facts have been changed… in its simplest form, it was also a great story that made us admire birds, embrace nature and appreciate the little things in life. It also made all of us proud to be associated with such a great group of people—birders.”

-   By the Editors of Birds &Blooms

For many of us, Nature works like a bank; it's where we go to get 'that special feeling' when we have the time. For birders, however, Nature works a little differently. Yes, The Big Year is a bird movie about birders birding - but it's also a thoroughly entertaining portrayal of our manic, tragic, funny and obsessive relationship with the Nature. Go see it!

- Peter Cummings, Clearance & Production Resources for The Big Year & Director of BC Ecological Agricultural Trust Society

And from Twitter, these tweets caught my attention

@AKbirder Got2 see #TheBigYear :) What a sweet movie. I giggled 2think of past group-birdathons & feverish excitement 2sight the most birds

- deephil11 12:21am via Twitter for iPhone

The Big Year was a great little movie, really fun to watch and terrific scenery and music. #TheBigYear

- coopiemom Oct 24, 7:39pm via Twitter for iPad

And from the Nature Canada Facebook page:

“I really liked it and think it will be great publicity for birding...especially to see the passion people can have for it. I imagine people were expecting mayhem with the 3 stars and they were funny without being over the top.”

-   Helene Van Doninck

Lastly, there were a few who thought the movie was neither funny, nor accurate:

“The Big Year was alright. It was neither horrible nor outstanding, neither fully factual nor completely made-up, neither completely engaging nor totally alienating. I would give it a solid “B-” as a birder…What didn’t I like? I didn’t like all the things the movie got wrong. Who can focus entirely on a movie and suspend their disbelief when what they are watching is riddled with errors? Sure, some are done in an attempt to get laughs or for plot purposes but the movie would have been much better if it were more accurate.”

-   By Corey on 10,000 Birds

"As a non-birder, my initial interest in this film came from the promise of comedic relief from some of the greats. I also thought that I maybe able to educate myself in the world of bird watching, at least understand a little better the allure for so many. While I did learn (about a bird size amount) about the wild world of birding and a few new bird names, I left feeling cheated on both the comedic humor side and the informative side of the film. However, if I were to take one message away from this film, it would be that the world of competitive birding is not for the weak hearted nor is it a laughing matter. This is serious business and I would not want to get in their way. In all I would have to say that if you are a real life birder – you may spend most of your time pointing out the inaccuracies of this film, if you are a fan of the many talented actors in the film, this night not be one to add to your own ‘Big Year’ of funny films.

- Cheri Dawn, development officer, corporate and foundation gifts

“[the Big Year] is more interested in warm and fuzzy life lessons than exploiting the slapstick opportunities inherent in chasing small creatures through inhospitable terrains. The result is an offence-free, mild entertainment in which everyone from cast to scriptwriter seems to be winging it.”

-   Liam Lacey, the Globe and Mail

What did you think of the Big Year? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Great Winged Migrations

2011-10-25T10:00:00.000-04:00

They’re titans in long-distance travel, migrants that make the biannual journey to wintering sites in warmer, more forgiving climates. Some journey exceptional distances at towering altitudes comparable to commercial airplane travel. Along the way they face obstacles, distractions and temptations. But an over-riding instinct keeps them on-course and focused on a greater purpose: survival and reproduction.

To honour their awe-inspiring journeys, we have profiled 5 winged migrants whose migrations give new meaning to long-distance travel.

Arctic Tern

No animal on earth travels farther every year. The Arctic Tern’s round trip migration from the Arctic to the Antarctic clocks in at an astounding 70,800 kilometers!

Weighing in at just over 100 grams, this small, slender seabird can live for up to thirty years. Over a lifetime it can accumulate up to 2.4 million kilometers in total distance travelled, which includes migrations and flight within its seasonal range at each pole.

Until recently, the Arctic tern’s migratory routes had not been mapped in great detail. With the help of smaller, lighter tracking devices, the mystery of its journey has been revealed.

It is believed there are about one million Arctic terns in the world, but data is scarce so populations are difficult to determine, and there are no estimates for most of its’ breeding grounds. It is known that southernmost populations are declining and are listed as “of special concern.”

Monarch Butterfly

Every autumn, thousands of Monarch Butterflies in Ontario fly through Point Pelee on their way south to Mexico. If temperatures are unforgiving, they will often roost in trees, biding their time until the mercury begins to rise. Their first great hurdle on a 3,000km journey, is crossing Lake Erie. Once they reach the mountains of central Mexico, they congregate by the millions in a forest of fir trees.

A smaller population of Monarchs lives in central British Columbia, migrating to southern California to reach their wintering sites. Both populations of Monarchs need plenty of fuel before embarking on their journeys south. You can help ensure Monarchs have the food they need throughout their lifespan by planting a monarch butterfly garden. Bring these black and orange jewels to your yard by following our tips to get your garden started!

While not at immediate risk of extinction, monarch populations are continue to be monitored for signs of trouble. Under Canada’s Species at Risk Act the Monarch is listed as a species of “Special Concern”.

Sandhill Crane

The world’s most common crane has three migratory subspecies: Lesser, Greater and Canadian. These populations breed in parts of the northern United States and Canada and spend their winters in Mexico and southern parts of the United States. En route, large numbers of Sandhill Cranes stop to refuel in the corn fields of Platte River, Nebraska. Some estimates put the seasonal Platte River population of Sandhill Cranes at nearly 500,000 birds!

Hoary Bat

Photo: J.N. Stuart via Flickr

The largest of 19 bat species in Canada, the Hoary bat weighs 30 grams and has a wing span of 40 cm. Found widely throughout the United States and Canada, the Hoary Bat is also one of very few bat species that migrate.

In the fall, Hoary Bat populations migrate south to southern coastal parts of the United States, including the West Coast south of San Francisco south, the East Coast from South Carolina to central Florida, and throughout the Gulf States. When they do reach their final destination, they are highly territorial when hunting, returning each night to the same meadow or river to hunt large insects like moths and beetles.

Photo: nebarnix via Flickr

Swainson’s Hawk

One of the world’s longest-distance migratory hawks, the Swainson’s Hawk makes a 20,000km return trip every year from western North America to the pampas in South America. With the help of northerly winds and thermal currents flocks, called ‘kettles’, funnel through Panama on their way south. This important piece of land bridging North and South America, will see thousands of Swainson’s Hawks during the spring and fall migrations.

Before it sets off, Swainson’s Hawks will gorge on grasshoppers, since for most of its migration it will not stop to feed or rest, making it critical for it to put on extra weight to prepare for the long journey south.

Have flocks of migrating birds, bats or butterflies passed through your area? Share your stories of migration with us in the comments below!

Death Threat Received by Opponent of Bedford Biofuels Tana Delta Project

2011-10-21T15:18:00.001-04:00

We have been reporting on developments in the Kenyan Tana Delta related to a proposed Jatropha plantation by the Canadian company Bedford Biofuels. We stand with our BirdLife partner Nature Kenya in their concerns about the environmental and social impacts of this project. Over a month ago, we wrote to the Canadian government about our concerns, but we have not heard back.

Now, we are even more concerned to hear alarming news that opposition to the project is being met with violence in the form of a death threat, currently under investigation by the Kenyan police. From BirdLife International:

Mr. Hajj Idris Bakero, a religious leader in Garsen Division, received death threats, presumably for his opposition to a jatropha project in the area.

On September 9th 2011, his wife Hamida Kori found a black plastic bag at the main gate to her compound, in it was petrol in a small plastic bag, four rounds of ammunition for an M16 Gun, and a warning note.

Translated, the note warned the cleric not to continue “barking “about the project or else “these four bullets will get into your body, we will burn your wife and children with petrol so that your name disappears forever.” This threat has now been reported to the Kenyan Police.

Find out more here. And stay tuned.

Discover, Connect & Share from Sea to Sea to Sea

2011-10-21T12:00:00.000-04:00

We've entered an idea in the Aviva Community Fund challenge! But we need your help to make this vision a reality. The next round of voting starts on Monday, October 24 and every vote brings us one step closer to empowering young nature leaders across the country. Sign up now to be ready to vote or read on to learn more about our idea.

The Project

"It was in the Arctic that I started to realize the significance of a sustainable lifestyle."
– Donovan Taplin (17 years old)Bell Island, Newfoundland

Photo by Lee Narraway/Students on Ice

City traffic, air and noise pollution, cell phones, shopping malls and a daily deluge of e-mail are a reality for most Canadians. We spend our days indoors, sitting under fluorescent lights and breathing re-circulated air.

Our children play video games; they don't play outside. They know how to navigate the internet, but don't know what birds live in their backyards. They learn about big issues like climate change, but don't have the connection with nature that will let them truly understand the problem.

We are isolated from nature. We are isolated from each other.

Nature Canada and Students on Ice want to provide a life-changing opportunity for Canadian youth from sea to sea to sea. We will help them discover nature first-hand on the Arctic Expedition 2012, connect with peers and mentors in community dialogue, and share their experiences with other young people at a national Youth Leadership Summit. We hope that each person who is touched by the SEA to SEA to SEA experience is inspired to lead positive change in their own individual communities.

The Partners

For more than 70 years Nature Canada, a membership-based not-for-profit conservation organization, has been a leader in connecting Canadians to nature.

We have worked with hundreds of local groups in every province and territory to deliver community-based projects including the Parks & People program, allowing youth to experience nature first-hand; the Community Action Fund, enabling on-the-ground conservation activities; the Important Bird Areas Caretaker Network, engaging stewards for habitat and species protection; and Nature Explorers, an integrated program that will see one million children and their families participating in multiple experiences in nature over the next five years.

Students on Ice is an award-winning program that provides youth from across Canada and around the world with ship-based education expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic.

The Students on Ice mandate is to educate and inspire the next generation of leaders and responsible global citizens, and in doing so help provide them with a greater understanding and respect for the planet.

The Plan

Nature Canada and Students on Ice are seeking $150,000 of support from the Aviva Community Fund to assist with on-the-ground delivery of the 2012 SEA to SEA to SEA experience that will empower Canadian youth through a transformative journey.

Photo by Lee Narraway/Students on Ice

In August 2012, 75 students from around the world will participate in the Students on Ice Arctic Expedition 2012. Through a nationwide selection process, a young Canadian from every province and territory will be chosen to participate on the expedition thanks to this support from AVIVA. These funds will facilitate this journey of discovery and the development of young nature ambassadors.

Highlights of the expedition will include a welcome event hosted by the community of Kuujjuaq, Nunavik, and a visit with community leaders and Inuit elders in Pagnirtung to learn about their observations of climate change and its impacts on their community and way of life. The team will stop at National Parks, Important Bird Areas, and spectacular fjords along the way to immerse themselves in learning directly in the spectacular landscape. Participants will have a chance to see magnificent Arctic wildlife, including seabirds, whales, and polar bears.

Throughout the expedition, students will have a chance to learn from each other and connect with mentors. Ongoing discussions will let them reflect on their experiences and energize them to become leaders for environmental and social change in their own individual communities when they return home.

In November 2012, 130 youth from across Canada will converge at a Youth Leadership Summit to explore what the Arctic means to Canada, how our country is connected from SEA to SEA to SEA, and why healthy sustainable communities are critical for our future, the Arctic's future and the planet's future.

The AVIVA Nature Ambassadors from the expedition will serve as youth leaders, motivating their peers as they share their recent Arctic journey, experiences and new knowledge.

The Youth Leadership Summit will empower participants as young leaders, changing their lives and communities. They will make lasting connections that will link Canadian communities from sea to sea to sea in a sustainable future.

"I am taking on the world as an ambassador of positive change."
– Victoria Wee (17 years old)Coquitlam, British Columbia

Please vote to empower change, from sea to sea to sea.

Connect with Nature: Take a Fall Hike

2011-10-19T17:13:00.009-04:00

This is a great time to take a hike in nature. The summer crowds are gone, the scenery is stunning and there are still a few weeks before you have to break out your winter jacket. Here are a few ways to make the most of your trek through the freshly fallen leaves.

1) Bird watching: There is lots of bird watching to be done as our feathered friends head south for the winter. Before you head out on your hike, visit allaboutbirds.org to read up on bird watching techniques. Pack a nature guide to help identify different species and take a journal to record your findings.

2) Join a guided nature walk: Many communities across Canada have clubs that engage local experts to lead public hikes. This is a great way to meet fellow nature lovers and learn more about the natural geography of your area. Keep an eye on local publications or perform a quick internet search to find a guided hike in your area.

3) Bring your camera: There are few times of the year when nature is more beautiful than it is now. Pack your camera and capture some of the beautiful fall scenery you encounter along the way. While you’re at it, why not take a photo for our Hug-a-Tree photo contest or Flickr pool? Your photos are sure to bring back happy memories during the long winter.

4) Take a snack (or two): Before you head out, prepare some nutritious snacks that will keep you fueled along the way. Cheese and crackers, apple slices and trail mix are a few easy-to-pack snacks that offer valuable nutrients for your hike. For a more seasonal treat, save the seeds from the inside of your pumpkin and roast them the night before you head out.

5) Do a leaf rubbing: Want to create a souvenir of your adventure? Bring a large hardbound book and a roll of wax or parchment paper. Collect a few leaves of different shapes and sizes, press them between two sheets of paper and tuck them in the book to keep them safe. When you get home, place the leaves between two pieces of white paper, rub with a crayon and you’re done!

As always, don’t forget to dress appropriately, stay on trail and share your itinerary with a family member or friend before heading out. Happy trails!

Photo by Macomb Paynes

Important Bird Areas: "Wild Places, Full of Life"

2011-10-19T10:07:00.001-04:00

Keith Riding is a retired surgeon who volunteers his time to monitor birds and habitats in remote coastal Important Bird Areas off Vancouver Island. In this short video, Keith joins our bird conservation manager Ted Cheskey on an overcast, windy day at the Boundary Bay Important Bird Area, where he talked about being a Caretaker in these "wild places, so full of life."

Community stewardship of local bird habitat is essential for the health of the Important Bird Area system - and for the birds. These natural spaces are vitally important for breeding, migrating, staging and wintering birds, and the conservation of these sites is a cornerstone of effective bird conservation.

Keith is part of something called the Canadian Important Bird Areas Caretaker Network. It's a nationwide initiative involving volunteers who watch over and protect these special places. BC Nature, with financial assistance from Nature Canada's Communities in Action Fund, launched the first Caretaker Network in Canada. Then in 2009, TransCanada Corporation committed $1 million over five years as a national sponsor of the network, so that today, volunteer Caretakers are in all ten provinces. Nature Canada and Bird Studies Canada co-deliver the program nationally.

Thanks Keith for being a volunteer Caretaker for not one, but four IBAs!

Sable Island is Canada's Newest National Park

2011-10-17T16:11:00.000-04:00

Endangered Roseate Terns nest and migrate through Sable Island.

We're celebrating today's announcement of a new national park reserve on Sable Island!

Sable Island is a windswept, crescent-shaped island about about 300 kilometres southeast of Nova Scotia and its sensitive coastal landscape is a haven for migrating and nesting birds.

A national park designation signals vastly improved protection of Sable Island's fragile ecosystems and presents a renewed mandate for research and monitoring at the site. It also fulfills a January 2010 federal-provincial promise to increase protection of this remote island.

Sable Island is a globally important bird habitat that is home to the at-risk Ipswich Sparrow, the endangered Roseate Tern and many other bird species during the breeding season and the spring and fall migrations. The island is recognized as a globally and nationally significant Important Bird Area (IBA) through BirdLife International's Important Bird Areas Program, under which Nature Canada and Bird Studies Canada are co-partners responsible for overseeing IBAs in Canada.

A national park here will provide the type of permanent habitat protection we hope to see for all of Canada's IBAs. However, visitor numbers will need to be strictly limited inside Sable Island National Park to maintain the Island's sensitive sand dune systems. Recreation, tourism and declining habitat quality have been identified as key concerns for the island through our Important Bird Areas program

In recommendations submitted to Parks Canada in 2010, we advised that the national park predominantly be zoned a "wilderness area" with visitor numbers strictly controlled over time. Visitor limits will ultimately be established in the park’s management plan, which has yet to be finalized.

We were also pleased by the announcement that Nova Scotia and Ottawa will table legislation to prohibit oil and gas drilling from the surface of Sable Island and out to one nautical mile from shore. Nature Canada had also recommended that Parks Canada prevent development of any subsurface resources, like oil and gas, on Sable Island, as it typically does in National Parks and National Marine Conservation Areas.

The legislated prohibition on oil and gas development on the island's surface and immediately offshore is a very positive move. It’s also encouraging to note that the government plans to work with industry to amend significant discovery licenses to strengthen prohibitions on drilling.

We Need Your Voice: Help Protect the Boreal Woodland Caribou

2011-10-14T14:31:00.000-04:00

Nicknamed ‘grey ghosts’ for their shy, elusive nature, Boreal Woodland Caribou can't elude encrouching industrial activity that's destroying its habitat.

Back in August, the federal government released a proposed a recovery strategy to boost the Boreal Woodland Caribou’s numbers. The Caribou is threatened by industrial activities that have caused some herds to be critically endangered – and the rest are under increasing pressure.

While it's an important step in the right direction, we need a strong strategy to ensure a return to vibrant Boreal Woodland Caribou populations across the country -- and this plan isn't it.

The recovery strategy is available online and the public can comment until October 25. You can visit the Species at Risk Public Registry's web site to post your comments, or go our site to send a letter asking Environment Minister Peter Kent to take these measures:

1. Strengthen the goal

The proposed strategy allows a 40% chance that herds will continue to decline – this is an unacceptably weak threshold. Make it a strategy for recovery, not continued decline.

2. Protect more habitat

The proposal would keep, at most, only 65% of the caribou’s range intact, and as little as 5%. Much more than 65% of habitat needs to remain intact for self-sustaining caribou populations to thrive.

3. Don’t kill wolves instead of protecting caribou.

Indefinite killing of wolves, moose, and deer is not an acceptable alternative to protecting caribou habitat. This is not a sustainable solution – protecting intact habitat is the solution.

I strongly encourage you to speak up on behalf of the Boreal Woodland Caribou and ensure stronger measures are taken to protect this iconic species.

On the Road with IBA Caretakers

2011-10-13T14:24:00.001-04:00

Ted Cheskey, our manager of bird conservation, is out on Canada’s west coast meeting volunteer Caretakers who are part of the Important Bird Areas Program. On a visit to the Sidney Channel IBA in North Sidney B.C., Ted had a chance to speak with James Finley, IBA Caretaker, about marine IBAs, being a Caretaker, and his love for the beautiful Bufflehead:

Sidney Channel is a 4 km wide body of water that lies along the extreme southeast shore of Vancouver Island between James Island (and the larger Saanich Peninsula) and Sidney Island.

The Sidney Channel IBA is a terrific place to birdwatch. In one short boat excursion, Ted saw Marbled Murrelet, Rhinoceros Auklet, Herrmann's Gull, Bald Eagle, Brant Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Common Loon, Pacific Loon, and Harlequin Duck, as well as Harbour Seals and Harbour Porpoises. Of particular significance at this site are the large concentrations of Brandts Cormorants during fall migration (just over 1% of the worlds estimated population), and Mew Gulls and Brant during spring migration.

As a Caretaker, James is the eyes, ears and feet on the ground at his IBA. Like other Caretakers, James has been matched to his specific IBA to monitor birds, assess habitats, and conduct conservation activities. He works with local communities, scientists, governments and nature groups to promote Important Bird Areas and to ensure that local conservation ideas are put into action. Hands-on volunteer work from people like James helps build healthier bird communities and more sustainable environments for future generations.

BC Nature, with financial assistance from Nature Canada's Communities in Action Fund, launched the first Caretaker Network in Canada. In 2009, TransCanada Corporation committed $1 million over five years as a national sponsor of the Canadian IBA Caretakers Network, so that today, volunteer Caretakers are in all ten provinces.

BirdLife International began the IBA program in Europe in the 1980s in order to identify, conserve and monitor a network of sites that provides essential habitat for bird populations. Since that time, BirdLife partners in more than 178 countries and territories have joined together to build the global IBA network. Nature Canada and Bird Studies Canada co-deliver BirdLife's IBA Program in this country.

Bufflehead, photo by Vladmir Morozov

This weekend, James and many of his neighbours in Sidney will be celebrating the return of that community’s adoptive bird, the Bufflehead. According to James, who has been observing these birds at Sidney Channel Important Bird Area (IBA) for many years, Buffleheads arrive there and at Shoal Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary on Vancouver Island on the 298th solar day of the year, every year. This timing equates to the 15th day of October (except in Leap Years), and October 15 has come to be known as All Buffleheads Day in recognition of the annual migratory event.

So this weekend, take a moment to consider the Bufflehead and the special place it holds in Canada's natural history. If you happen to be in Sidney, British Columbia, join the celebrations for All Bufflehead Day and the 80th anniversary of the Shoal Migratory Bird Sanctuary at Lillian Hoffar Park.

Raising the Alarm Over Ostrander Point

2011-10-11T09:37:00.000-04:00

In case you missed it, our own Ted Cheskey, manager of our bird conservation programs, took to the radio and TV air waves to talk about an industrial wind project at Ostrander Point in Prince Edward County Ontario -- site of an Important Bird Area that sees hundreds of thousands of migrating birds each fall. It's a classic case of a great thing in the wrong place. From the CBC:

An internationally recognized "Important Bird Area" is being threatened by an Ontario wind power development, a Canadian conservation group alleges.

Gilead Power Corporation hopes to build a nine-turbine wind farm on the south shore of Prince Edward County, a huge peninsula that juts into eastern Lake Ontario.

Nature Canada worries the project will kill untold numbers of migratory birds because it is right next to a National Wildlife Area used by hundreds of thousands birds as a stopover point on their yearly journeys north and south.

“It's like a highway. Sort of like the equivalent of the Trans-Canada or the 401,” said Ted Cheskey, manager of Nature Canada's bird conservation programs.

Cheskey says that it is unusual for his organization to get involved in a fight like this because they are a national group and this looks on the surface like a local issue. But he felt they had no choice because this project is located in an “important bird area” (IBA). IBAs are a designation given by Birdlife International, a global partnership of conservation organizations that works to protect birds and their habitats.

Allowing a wind power project on the south shore of Prince Edward County would set a bad precedent, Chesky said...

Read the rest of the article.

The issues raised over controversial projects like this, or a similar one at Wolfe Island, are complex. On the one hand, global warming is creating a climate crisis that poses perhaps the greatest threat to people and biodiversity in our lifetime. Wind energy is a clean, abundant, renewable source of energy that can contribute to combating the harmful environmental changes brought about by climate change.

On the other hand, the government needs to set clear standards to ensure that projects are more carefully sited so that harm to birds, bats and other wildlife is avoided or minimized. Wind turbines and wind farms should not be located in places – such as Important Bird Areas – where birds congregate, migrate and breed.

The development of wind energy in Canada, coupled with conservation measures to reduce all forms of fossil fuel consumption, is important and should move forward. And with the right regulation to ensure good things in good places, we can have wind energy and protect migratory bird populations at the same time.

Connect with Nature: Make a fall craft

2011-10-06T09:54:00.009-04:00

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, this is a great time to get creative and make a nature-themed fall craft. Here are 3 easy crafts to get you in the holiday spirit:

Autumn placemats
The vibrant reds, oranges and yellows of fall foliage make a great decoration for the holiday season. You can make a placemat for your Thanksgiving feast by following these few simple steps:

1) Head out for a walk around your neighborhood or your favourite park and gather a collection of leaves. Try to collect as many colours and shapes as you can.

2) Cut two pieces of clear contact paper about two feet long and remove the backing from the first piece. Arrange the leaves on the sticky side and seal the mat by placing the second piece on top. If you’d like to add more colour, place a piece of construction paper behind the leaves before sealing the mat. Just give the edges a trim and you’re all done.

Apple stamps
Apples aren't just for eating! They can also be a fun way to decorate almost any surface. Lucky for us, creating an apple stamp is easy.

1) Enjoy a day of apple picking and crisp fall air at a local orchard. Save the good apples for eating and reserve the bruised ones for your craft.

2) Choose the surface you’d like to decorate. It can be a canvas bag, a notebook, a table cloth or even a t-shirt. You’ll also need to choose some paint. Make sure to choose a type of paint that can sustain the wear and tear that your finished product will endure.

3) Cut the apple in half from top to bottom and absorb any excess moisture by pressing the flesh side against a paper towel. Use a paint brush to coat the cut side of the apple in the colour of your choice and stamp away. Be sure to hold the apple down firmly and apply equal pressure to the top and sides.

4) Once the image has dried, use a marker to put the finishing touches on your creation by drawing a stem or leaf on your print.

Squash bowling
Are you up for a craft that is a bit more adventurous? How about making some bowling pins out of squash? A game of bowling is a great way to pass the time while you wait for Thanksgiving dinner to cook. Here’s how you get started:

1) Head out to your local farmers market and purchase 10 butternut squashes. You’ll also need a round gourd to act as your bowling ball.

2) Number each squash from 1 to 10 using vinyl sticker numbers. Cut two pieces of painters tape long enough to go around the squash and place one above and another below the number. This should mark a stripe around the squash.

3) Colour in the stripe with a marker or acrylic craft paint. After your “pin” is dry, carefully peel off the stickers and tape.

4) Create a bowling lane in your backyard, set up the pins and have fun!

Photo by Ian Kelsall

Enbridge’s Northern Gateway Project Threatens B.C.’s Fragile Ecosystems and Coastal Communities

2011-10-03T16:15:00.002-04:00

More than two decades ago, the Exxon Valdez ran aground, spilling 40 million litres of crude oil into Prince William Sound and causing irreversible damage. Now, Enbridge Inc. wants to bring the same risk to B.C.'s pristine coastal waters and rainforest with its Northern Gateway Project.

Today, Enbridge Inc. is awaiting approval of a proposed pipeline that would carry oil from the tar sands to a port at Kitimat, British Columbia. After travelling nearly 1,170km through pristine wilderness and First Nations homelands, tar sands oil would be loaded on tankers bound for Pacific markets. To get there, they must first navigate the perilous northern B.C. coast, travelling the same waters where the Queen of the North ferry sank in 2006. An oil spill in this area would:

•    Cause irreversible harm to the livelihoods of many coastal and aboriginal communities
•    Fragment the Great Bear rainforest and the boreal forest, home to birds and other wildlife, including Caribou and Grizzly Bears
•    Expose 28 Important Bird Areas teeming with marine birds, fish and other animals to oil pollution from increased tanker traffic and an impossible-to-rule-out oil spill.

Nature Canada, and many stakeholders from First Nations to Members of Parliament, oppose the project on the grounds that it poses unacceptable risks to the ecosystems and coastal communities of British Columbia’s northern coast. In collaboration with BC Nature, we are preparing for the upcoming hearings on the Northern Gateway Project that will determine whether the pipeline is built. Our primary interest is the potential impacts of the project on wildlife (including birds) and their habitats. As joint interveners in the Joint Review Panel process we will be focusing on potential impacts on terrestrial wildlife and habitat along the pipeline route, with special attention to Woodland Caribou, and on terrestrial and marine birds and their habitat along the pipeline route and in the coastal waters through which the oil would be shipped (including Important Bird Areas).

We have hired three experts with in-depth knowledge and experience on these different aspects who are helping us review Enbridge’s application in order to verify whether it has accurately assessed the potential impacts of its proposed project. Our experts have so far identified many areas where the application is inconsistent, vague or has errors and omissions.

This past August, we submitted our questions to Enbridge as part of the information request step of the process. Enbridge will respond to these requests by October 6, and following a second round of information requests, we will file our written submission with the Joint Review Panel by December 23. In that submission, we will provide our own evidence regarding the project’s potential impact on Woodland Caribou, birds and Important Bird Areas, ensuring the Panel has the information it needs to understand the potential impact of the project on the ecosystems it proposes to alter so significantly.

Further down the line, our evidence will be reviewed by the Panel and our experts may need to defend our evidence when we reach final hearings in the summer of 2012. We will keep you up to date on our progress – so stay tuned! In the mean time, you can participate in the hearings by sending a letter to the Joint Review Panel by March 13, 2012, or making an oral statement at the community hearings (registration ends October 6).

Want to learn more about the Northern Gateway Project? Visit our website!

Nature Canada announces our Hug-a-Tree contest!

2011-09-28T14:03:00.008-04:00

Nature Canada is excited to announce the launch of our Hug-a-Tree Contest, hosted by Nature Explorers!

Trees give us so much – clean air, vital medicine, delicious food and a home for some of our most precious creatures. Forests cover 31% of the earth’s total land area and are central to the livelihood of 1.6 billion people around the world.

Now in honour of the United Nations International Year of Forests, we’re challenging you to show your love for trees by submitting your tree-hug themed photos on our Nature Explorers website.

Nature Canada is passionate about connecting Canadians with nature and building a nature ethic across the country. Nature Explorers is Canada’s on-line destination for youth and their families to discover new ways to connect with nature and share their experiences. Visit Nature Explorers to find an outdoor activity in your area, connect with fellow nature lovers and of course, enter the Hug-a- Tree contest!

Whether you think your photo boasts the biggest tree hug, the most amazing tree hug or best group tree hug, our contest has a category for you. Submit your photos by January 3rd and you’ll enter to win great prizes, like an iPad, a collection of Boreal Teas or endangered species themed games from Anouk’s Ark! You can submit as many photos as you like so don’t be afraid to get creative. Good luck everyone!

Climate Negotiations and Justice for Vulnerable Populations

2011-09-28T11:59:00.001-04:00

Volunteer inspects trees at a tree nursery in Oviedo, Dominican Republic

On Monday I had the opportunity to spend the day at a learning conference that Nature Canada, as a member of the Canadian Coalition on Climate Change and Development (C4D), helped organize.

C4D brings together many of Canada's development and environmental organizations around climate change adaptation, financing and other climate change issues that affect our partners in developing countries. Nature Canada participates in C4D primarily because our integrated conservation and development work cannot ignore climate change and to advocate for the protection of nature and ecosystem-based approaches in climate change adaptation policy and action.

This year, C4D decided to learn more about REDD - the mechanism that is being negotiated internationally to reduce emission from deforestation and forest degradation - and about the debates around its potential impact on small farmers, indigenous peoples and other marginalized and vulnerable people. Earlier this year we held a small learning session about REDD and on Monday 4 panels of fabulous speakers from Canada and the South helped us learn and reflect on the upcoming meeting of the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Durban in November and the upcoming Rio + 20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in June 2012; REDD and other financing mechanism for mitigation; the role of agriculture; and the opportunities for Canadian civil society organizations around these international fora.

I am still taking all this in, but I heard a few clear messages:

1. Governments are not listening to scientists and are not acting on the opportunity to keep climate change below the level that may avert great human and ecosystem harm (an average increase of less than 1.5 degrees Celsius) before it is too late

2. The most vulnerable, including women, will suffer the most: climate change is a social justice issue, and developed countries need to fund and support adaptation. We need to build RESILIENCE

3. Social and local mobilization are sources of hope, as are, potentially, municipal and provincial governments

4. Upcoming meetings promise little if any progress; but we need to avoid bad decisions, particularly on agriculture, technology transfers and forests

5. Every effort to support action on climate change mitigation and adaptation counts: we can't give up!

Learn more, talk to others, talk to your government, mobilize!

The conference was organized by C4D in collaboration with the Canadian Council for International Cooperation (CCIC) Africa Canada Forum and Asia Pacific Working Group and Canadian Food Security Policy Group. It was possible thanks to the support of Canadian Foodgrains Bank, CARE Canada, CCIC with support from the International Development Research Centre, and the Royal Norwegian Embassy.

Reading suggestions, more detail on the conference and a related public event held Monday night are available here.

A webcast of the conference will be available soon. Check back on this blog for the link.

Want to know more about Nature Canada's work in developing countries? Check out our projects in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Engaged Youth A Promise for Sustainability: Happy 15th Birthday to Jaragua Summer Camp!

2011-09-23T15:24:00.000-04:00

Nature Canada, with the support of the Canadian International Development Agency and working with BirdLife, proudly supports our partner in Hispaniola, Gupo Jaragua, in their work to improve peoples livelihoods and conserve biodiversity and natural resources.

One of the key components of this efforts is the Jaragua Summer Camp, which has been engaging youth on a path to sustainability for 15 years this summer. Join us celebrating Grupo Jaragua's success!

Bedford Biofuels Continue to Threaten Tana Delta

2011-09-23T11:46:00.000-04:00

On 7 September we told you about the threats to Kenya’s Tana River Delta Important Bird Area from plans by the Canadian company Bedford Biofuels to establish a jatropha (biofuel) plantation. Since our post Bedford has been in touch to express their disagreement with our criticism of their project (see the comment posted). However, our concerns continue. Nature Canada has written to the Canadian government to bring our concerns to their attention and find out whether the government is supporting this project. We will let you know their response.

In the meantime, here is a summary of the latest information provided by our BirdLife partners at Nature Kenya:

At the start of this week Bedford Biofuels and Nature Kenya met in Nairobi. Bedford was accompanied by their lawyer and more than 20 people from the Delta supporting the Bedford proposal. However unfortunately despite a long (around 5 hour) and at times rather tense meeting Bedford was not prepared to recognize the concerns of Nature Kenya and others from the Delta or willing to respect the land use planning process under way.

In summary, Nature Kenya and others are worried that jatropha is untested, that Kenya has yet to adopt a biofuels policy and that 10,000 ha is too big to be a pilot. Also that the proposed project is within the very sensitive Delta floodplain and that there needs to be a land use plan for the Delta in place to provide a strategic framework before individual large-scale developments proceed. For all these reasons Nature Kenya is maintaining their challenge to the Bedford consent and hoping that the Kenyan Government will act on NEMA (the National Environment Management Authority) advice to cancel the Bedford consent.

It is very encouraging to see the land-use planning process for the Delta now firmly underway. Between 14-17 September around 65 participants took part in a high-level meeting in Malindi to discuss the need for a strategic plan for the Delta. The Kenyan Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) hosted the meeting with NEMA and Nature Kenya jointly providing the Secretariat. It was attended by representatives from key Kenyan government ministries and agencies including NEMA, the Ministries of Finance, Lands, Agriculture, Environment and Mineral Resources, Water and Irrigation, Fisheries, Kenya Forest Services, Kenya Wildlife Service, TARDA (Tana and Athi River Development Authority), together with NGOs, media and international experts in the fields of land use and delta planning and environmental assessment. The meeting included a workshop plus a field visit into the Delta to provide the opportunity for participants to see the Delta and speak to the local people to understand the issues first hand.

The meeting closed by adopting a Communiqué of the Inter-Ministerial Consultative Meeting on the sustainable development of Deltas in Kenya. This confirmed the launch of the Tana Delta planning initiative, including agreement on a road map leading to the long-term sustainable development of the remarkable Tana River Delta in ways that will provide for economic prosperity, stable social conditions and lasting environmental quality.

Specifically the meeting agreed:

To the establishment of a local Tana Delta planning process which will be steered by a local committee (the Planning Implementation Committee) and will involve a combination of strategic planning and strategic environmental assessment (SEA)

The output will be a long-term strategic land use plan representing a ‘truly sustainable’ future to the Delta.

That this process will combine scientific, economic, social and environmental evaluation tools alongside extensive public participation and will be a collaborative exercise involving all relevant government ministries and agencies, counties, districts and communities, Civil Society and NGOs, International Partners and investors

The process will take place over the next 18 months, with the support of DFID (UKAid).

Things are now moving quickly with the Inter-Ministerial meeting scheduled to meet again on Tuesday 27 September to discuss the terms of reference for the SEA. This is exciting news.

Connect with Nature: Go apple picking

2011-09-21T16:23:00.005-04:00

Apple picking is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy locally grown products. With September being the height of apple season, this the perfect time to head out to a local farm to experience this classic fall activity. Here are a few tips for a great apple picking experience:

1) Choose the right farm – Apple picking can be enjoyed across the country but farms will vary in terms of facilities and growing practices. For example, some farmers choose to grow their apples organically, while others may have more dwarf trees, which can be better suited to children. Check with your farm of choice before heading out to make sure it’s right for you.

2) Bring proper gear – Bring along a bucket to store your apples in and pack a lunch for the day. Some farms also offer hay rides, corn mazes and petting zoos, so make sure to dress comfortably for a day on the farm.

3) Know how to spot a good apple and how to pick it – A good apple will be crisp, firm and easily picked from the tree with a gentle twist of the stem. It can be any colour from dark green, to yellow, pink, orange, bright red, dark red or even a combination of colours, depending on the type of apple. The ripeness can be calculated using the number of days since the tree flowered, so ask the farmer for advice on where to find the best apples in the orchard.

Apples ripen from the outer edges of the tree to the inside, so try to pick the apples on the outlying branches of the tree first. Roll the apple upwards off the branch and give it a little twist. Make sure to place them gently in the bucket. Apples will last longer if they are bruise free!

4) Store apples in a cool place – Keeping apples cool will increase their shelf life and help ensure they can be enjoyed for weeks for come. A cool basement or the fruit or vegetable drawer of a refrigerator will make a perfect home for your apples. Try to refrain from washing them until you are ready to use them as moisture will accelerate spoiling.

5) Enjoy! - From baked apples and applesauce to dumplings and apple pie, there are lots of great ways to enjoy your haul! Try a new recipe, prepare an old favorite or enjoy a fresh apple on its own for the perfect fall treat.

Photo by Sarah Hicks

Show the love on National Tree Day - Give a leafy friend a hug!

2011-09-21T09:49:00.014-04:00

Hi Folks!

How many trees have you seen since you woke up today? Did you wish any of them a happy National Tree Day? What about a happy National Forest Week? Dig you hug any of those trees??

Don't worry if these questions take you by surprise, since 2011 is the debut year for Canada's National Tree Day celebrations, spearheaded by the Tree Canada Foundation, which focus on the "great benefits that trees provide us - clean air, wildlife habitat, reducing energy demand and connecting with nature". Nature Canada's celebrations today include our Hug A Tree Photo Contest, which we're asking all of our supporters to enter for their chance to win!

I started National Tree Day thinking about the innumerable ways that trees (and forests) benefit me and my family each day. For example, we have 16 species* of trees and woody shrubs in our small Ottawa yard, which offer us shade, improve our air quality and attract lots of birds and insects to our backyard. I also have several beautifully handcrafted pieces of wood furniture in my home. Those items represent a market for value-added forest products that can be a big incentive for ecologically and economically sustainable forest management, including things like Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification of forests. Plus, markets for non-timber forest products are growing in Canada and elsewhere, which makes me think of how much I love wild blueberries and cranberries! Not to mention Canada's amazing forest protected areas!

I've also been thinking about how important trees and forests (such as the Boreal forest) are to many of the migrating birds we're watching head south right now, as well as other wildlife that rely on forests seasonally and year-round. Just think of all the bird species that use trees for nesting, from Woodpecker species to Great Blue Herons!

And having spent time as a kid in 'working forests' with my then-silviculturist father, I can't overlook the importance of trees and forests to many communities across this vast country. The Canadian Forest Service reports that the forest industry - in all of its forms - is the "largest non-urban employer in the country".

In closing, there's really not a better time to kick-off Canada's National Tree Day celebrations than the 2011 United Nations International Year of Forests. Here are some quick facts about global forests from the UN's International Year of Forests (IYF) website:

Forests are home to 80% of Earth's terrestrial biodiversity
Forests are central to the livelihoods of over 1.6 billion people worldwide
Forests cover 31% of the Earth's total land area

For more on what Nature Canada is doing for the IYF, check out our website and our interactive map of Canada's forests. And don't forget to enter our Hug A Tree Photo Contest for your chance to win!

Have a wonderful National Tree Day, and a thoughtful National Forest Week!

All photos by A. MacDonald

* No, not all of these are native species, but I'm working to increase the proportion that are native over time.

7 Tips to Help Migrating Birds

2011-09-20T13:17:00.000-04:00

Migrating shorebirds. Photo: Kate Messer

Helene Van Doninck, wildlife veterinarian at the Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, shares her tips on how you can help migrating birds reach their destination this fall. For more wildlife advice, stories, pictures and videos, check out Helene's past guest blog posts for Nature Canada.

Once again autumn has arrived in Canada and for billions of birds this signals the ancient event of migration. No matter where you reside, you will see the populations of birds in your local area fluctuate as some birds leave for more southern climates, and some birds arrive from northern latitudes. There are of course many year-round residents that will hold tight to their territories, but they will soon be hosting some new visitors.

Migration itself is a fascinating biannual movement that has ignited countless theories and driven many people, scientists and non-scientists alike, to wonder about the exact mechanisms and routes taken by individual species. The intricacies of migration will be fodder for a future blog post, so stay tuned! For now, we’ll concentrate on tips that may help migrating birds get to their destination, or at least provide them with some fuel and energy for the voyage.

Photo: Murdo Messer

1. Leave Out Your Hummingbird Feeders
Contrary to popular belief, leaving your hummingbird feeders out will not cause delayed migration in hummingbirds. Migration is a powerful instinct and leaving the feeders out until all birds have left may well provide some extra nutrition for young birds that may need an extra boost, or for some that are merely passing through. As always, clean and change all feeders regularly to prevent the spread of disease.

2. Re-Stock Your Regular Bird Feeders
As with the hummingbird feeders, the availability of extra food in regular bird feeders may help passing migrants fuel up on the way to their destination. Every little bit helps!

3. Do Not Disturb Shorebird Fueling Stations

Photo: Kate Messer

Each autumn billions of shorebirds gather in huge flocks to eat as much as they can over a short period of time. At the CWRC we live near one of these very important areas: the Bay of Fundy. Getting enough food during these stopovers is absolutely critical to allow these birds to fly for long distances to reach their southern destinations.

Please respect these areas and keep disturbance to a minimum. Limit walking on the beach when this is happening and do not let dogs off leash to flush or scare these birds off. They are often only in the area for brief periods. Tide intervals already limit foraging times so unnecessary interruptions are costly. Please refrain from leaving garbage on beaches too, as the scent will attract predators which will further disturb the birds.

Cuckoos. Photo: Murdo Messer

4. Look for Hurricane and Weather Refugees
Extreme weather can interrupt migration, send birds on errant paths, and damage food supplies and habitat. Watch for unusual birds in your area after weather events and if it seems that a bird is in the wrong place, let wildlife officials know or contact a rehabilitation centre. Often birds in the wrong place can re-direct themselves, but sometimes they need a helping hand.

Post Hurricane Katrina, we had 6 calls in 30 min about yellow billed cuckoos seemingly dropping from the sky. Oddly enough these calls all came from the same neighbourhood. They were certainly in the wrong place at the wrong time and were in poor condition.

5. Turn off the Lights

Photo: Murdo Messer

Millions of migrating birds are killed every year by something we never even think about: office towers that leave lights on overnight. This is particularly an issue when downtown cores are in the middle of migration corridors. One of the most problematic areas in Canada is downtown Toronto. Become educated about this problem in your local area and if it’s an issue, try to convince building managers to shut lights off at night. It’s good for the environment too. For more information on this issue, please visit www.flap.org , a group dedicated to addressing this issue in Toronto and other areas. Other migration hazards include power lines, windows, wind turbines and other sources of light at night (including industrial flares). Become educated on these issues and let your government officials know you want policies that reflect your concerns.

6. Provide Natural Food Supplies
Items like apples, rosehips, berries, snags and fruit trees provide important nutrition for birds. Plant native species that provide food sources for migrating birds and don’t be too quick to pick up things like fallen apples.

7. Cut Out Pesticides
It is encouraging to see more and more municipalities banning the use of pesticides. Insect eating birds are on the decline throughout North America with habitat loss, climate change and loss of food supplies being among the cited reasons for the declines. Please avoid the use of pesticides. Insect eating birds rely on an abundance of different species of insects, and do a great job of keeping their numbers under control in an environmentally friendly way.

Most importantly this migration season, enjoy being a spectator for what is arguably the most remarkable natural phenomenon. Consider recording first and last seen dates for different species and make it an annual tradition. Spend time outside and enjoy the spectacle in your own backyard, you never know what you might see!

Foundations for Sustainable Livelihoods in Cuba's Turquino-La Bayamesa

2011-09-15T09:45:00.011-04:00

Turquino, Sierra Maestra-photo by CNAP

Nature Canada believes in a flyways approach to the conservation of migratory birds. To that end, for the past two years, we have supported integrated conservation and development efforts by our BirdLife partners in key Caribbean biodiversity areas where "Canadian" migratory birds, like the Bicknell's Thrush, spend the winter.

You've read about our successes in Haiti's Macaya and in the Dominican Republic's Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo. In Cuba, our partner, the National Protected Areas Commission (Comisión Nacional de Áreas Protegidas-CNAP) has also been working to establish ecotourism, tree nurseries and agroforestry plots in an area that was once as critical to the Cuban revolution as it is today to biodiversity. Find out what we're accomplishing.

This work is supported by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

Brushing work at Ostrander upsets locals

2011-09-13T10:56:00.005-04:00

Significant brushing and habitat disturbance began without public notice in a section of approximately 25,000 square metres of the Ostrander Point Crown Land Block last week. Ostrander Point is a highly controversial naturally vegetated block of land owned by the Province of Ontario, in the heart of the Globally Significant Prince Edward Point South Shore Important Bird Area. It is part of a candidate Provincial Area of Natural and Scientific Interest due to its rare alvar habitat. It has a unique breeding bird community and is on the flight path of hundreds of thousands of migrating birds each spring and fall. Ostrander is the home of at least two federally listed Species at Risk, and was described by an official from the Federal Government as one of the most important spots for migratory birds in Southern Ontario. In 2006, Gilead Power Corporation of Peterborough began its application process to build 12, ninety metre high wind turbine towers with 45 metre long blades attached on this public land, along with a grid of roads and infrastructure to connect them, and a transformer station to link into the provincial grid on this highly significant bird habitat. More recently they submitted their final proposal, which includes 9 turbines, some within 200 metres from Lake Ontario, and supporting studies to the Province of Ontario for an Energy Approval Permit. If granted, this permit would allow them to construct this industrial project on this highly sensitive and signficant habitat.

Last week local guardians, opposed to Gilead's industrial project, noticed workers actively brushing (destroying woody vegetation on strips of land) within the Ostrander Point Crown Land Block. Through questioning, it came out that this work is being conducted by contractors searching for and decommissioning unexploded ordinance from the Department of National Defence, which conducted training on parts of Ostrander Point about 50 years ago. Many believe that this work is really being done to pave the way for Gilead's project.

"All of this seems like too much of a coincidence," says local IBA champion Myrna Wood. "This is in the timeframe of Gilead Power’s application for a turbine project on this Crown land. It has been 50 years since this site was abandoned by the military and the South Shore has never been cordoned off from public use during that time. It seems clear that the reason for the investigation of possible unexploded ordinance is at the request of the MNR due to planned development projects."

Nature Canada, along with provincial partner Ontario Nature and the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists, has requested both the developer (Gilead), and the Province to find another location for this project which has high potential to be very damaging to migrating birds, the local breeding bird community, species at risk, and migrating bats if allowed to proceed.

Emergency Summit: Is it Game Over for the Sage-Grouse in Canada?

2011-09-12T14:28:00.000-04:00

Greater Sage-Grouse, courtesy Christyann Olson

In 2011, just 13 male greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) were recorded on “leks” in Alberta. Next door, in Saskatchewan, there were only 35. These numbers represent a greater than 95 percent decline since 1968 -- a decline that has continued unchecked despite official designations on provincial and federal species at risk lists.

The reasons for the collapse of greater sage‐grouse populations are well known by scientists and governments, as is what's needed to reverse the declines. Yet, as an iconic bird species is poised to disappear forever from Canada, two things are quite clear:

1) current efforts are failing to prevent the extirpation of the greater sage‐grouse and protect its habitat
2) there is an urgent need for immediate action and substantive measures if the imminent extirpation of the greater sage‐grouse from Canada is to be prevented.

A panel of scientists and conservation organizations, including Nature Canada, held an emergency summit on the future of greater sage‐grouse in Canada on September 7 and 8, in Calgary. The sense of urgency was palpable, and the desire to spark action was strong.

A public c

Designate additional critical habitat as identified on proposed critical habitat maps produced in 2010.
No new developments in critical greater sage‐grouse habitat. Major concerns are regarding prolonged or expanded industrial development and associated activities in and around critical habitat.
Restore existing critical habitat, including removal of industrial infrastructure.
To allow for future recovery, previously occupied range outside current critical habitat must be restored to functionality suitable for greater sage‐grouse.
Any new development outside of critical habitat but within the identified zone of influence (15 kilometres)must not contribute to the disturbance of the species or destruction of critical habitat.

Connect with Nature: Enjoy Fall Colours

2011-09-08T11:26:00.007-04:00

Summer may be drawing to a close, but there’s still a lot of fun to be had in the great outdoors. Beginning in September, a steady autumn wave makes its way across the country, transforming local leaves into vibrant colours of red, yellow and orange. This creates a spectacular backdrop for an adventure in nature!

There are lots of ways to soak up the fall colours. Head out to a local park for a hike or a bike ride and bring your camera along so you can take a snapshot of your picturesque surroundings. If you’ve got time, make an afternoon of it by packing a fall picnic to enjoy among the foliage.

In Canada we’re lucky to be home to some of the best places in the world to view fall foliage, so consider visiting a new natural area to take in the autumn scenery. Fundy National Park in New Brunswick, Parc national du Mont-Tremblant in Quebec and Jasper National Park in Alberta are just a few of locations in Canada that are world-famous for their fall colours. The timing of the change in colour depends on a number of variables so check regional foliage reports for the best time to experience the foliage in your area. Make sure to bring your binoculars and keep an eye out for birds on their fall migration.

Can't make it to a park? Take a stroll through your neighborhood to see how your local trees have changed with the colder weather.

No matter where you choose to view the foliage, take advantage of this colourful time to enjoy nature and all it has to offer.

Photo credit Mark Round

Bedford Biofuels Threatens Kenya's Tana Delta

2011-09-07T13:48:00.001-04:00

Aleksey Dorofeev via Flickr

Nature Canada is concerned that a Canadian company – Bedford Biofuels – plans plans to set up a jatropha tree plantation in Kenya's Tana Delta, an area that provides refuge for 350 bird species. When we learned of the Calgary-based company's plans last year, we contacted the company to discuss the potential impacts on biodiversity of the proposed project. The company did not respond to our letter, but recent developments make us hopeful that Bedford Biofuels will abandon this project. The latest news from our BirdLife colleagues in Kenya is as follows:

A Nairobi newspaper reports that, after consideration of the scientific evidence, Kenya’s National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has decided to advise the Kenyan Government to halt the planting of the biofuel crop jatropha within the Coast region of Kenya. Proposed jatropha plantations would do irreparable damage to coastal Important Bird Areas (IBAs), including the Tana Delta and Dakatcha Woodlands.

The reported decision has been applauded by BirdLife Partner NatureKenya, which has been fighting a vigorous campaign against the destruction of woodland and other coastal habitats to make room for biofuel crops. NatureKenya also provided much of the evidence on which NEMA’s decision was based, especially recent research which has cast doubt on the supposed benefits of jatropha as a “green” alternative to fossil fuels. Scientific studies now recommend growing jatropha only as a hedge or living fence.

Even before NEMA’s decision, a company planning to grow oil seed crops on 28,000 hectares of the Tana Delta pulled out after consultations with NatureKenya and other BirdLife Partners, citing concerns over environmental impacts and long-term climate change effects.

In July, two directors of NEMA were suspended after accusations that they had acted irregularly in granting a licence to the Canadian company Bedford Biofuels to grow jatropha on a 10,000 hectare “pilot” site in the Tana Delta. According to the Nairobi press, NEMA’s Chairman, Mr Francis Ole Kaparo, said that the licence had been awarded in spite of mounting scientific evidence which has exposed the claims made for jatropha as false. “There is nothing to prove jatropha is viable. In fact, all evidence shows it has failed,” Mr Kaparo is quoted as saying.

NEMA has advised the Kenyan government to cancel Bedford’s licence, but the company is challenging the cancellation. Bedford’s local representatives have organised demonstrations in favour of the jatropha plantations, which have been described as an attempt to “intimidate” the authorities.

“We congratulate the NEMA Chairman, Mr Francis Ole Kaparo, the NEMA Director General Dr Ayub Macharia, and NEMA technical staff for their wise decision”, said NatureKenya CEO Paul Matiku. “NEMA is on the right path to sustainable development, by using science to avoid irreversible environmental, social and economic costs. We hope the Ministry will follow this advice and cancel Bedford Biofuel’s licence for a ‘pilot’ of 10,000 hectares of jatropha at Tana, and that this wise decision has been made clear to Kenya Jatropha Energy Limited at Dakatcha.”

He added: “Globally, biofuel crops, originally viewed as substitutes for climate-damaging fossil fuels, have replaced food crops and natural habitats, leading to rising food prices and loss of critical wildlife habitats and ecosystem services.”

The Tana Delta has long provided local communities with food and livelihoods. Its value to the nation includes ecosystem services such as water storage, shoreline protection and marine life spawning grounds. It also has huge tourism potential. But as demand for land to grow commodity crops has increased globally, the Tana Delta has become the focus of interest for international speculators and investors.

“Over the last decade, conflicts have been increasing in the Tana Delta as the demands for competing land uses, natural resources, nature conservation and community interests have intensified,” said Paul Matiku. “It is for this reason that NatureKenya and stakeholders, led by the Office of the Prime Minister, are initiating a combination of strategic planning and integrated assessment to develop a long term General Management Plan.”

Bedford Biofuels commented on September 13, 2011:

Recently, articlessuch as this, riddled with misleading errors and false accusations have beencirculating regarding Bedford Biofuels’ 10,000 ha Jatropha biofuel project inthe Tana Delta Region of Eastern Kenya. These articles were published withoutinput from Bedford. Bedford also did not recieve correspondence from NatureCanada before this post was published.

Contrary to what is being reported by Nature Kenya, Bedford’s license to planthas not been revoked. The EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) license wasissued to Bedford on May 25, 2011 by NEMA (National Environment ManagementAuthority)Kenya and remains in effect. Nursery preparations began in July andthe Jatropha seedlings will be transplanted starting in November.

Nature Kenya has also erroneously reported that Bedford intends to plantJatropha in the delta area of the Tana Delta Region, which is causing concernbecause of the delta’s biodiversity and ecological importance. First andforemost, in order to obtain its license from NEMA, Bedford had to complete anEnvironmental Impact Assessment of the Tana Delta Region which includedthorough research pertaining to the wildlife, existing flora and soilconditions. Approval of the EIA License was granted under the condition thatBedford agrees to abstain from planting in the delta.

Second, Jatropha will not grow in flood plains or areas of standing water suchas a delta, it thrives in semi-arid to arid conditions. In order to maximizeour yields, Bedford has engaged the world’s leading experts in Jatropha and hasa team of agronomists experienced in growing Jatropha to advise the optimalgrowing conditions and location for Bedford’s Jatropha project.
Lastly, Bedford is an advocate of conserving the environment and is currentlyworking alongside the Lower Tana Delta Conservation Trust to ensure that thedelta area is preserved and the local community’s standard of living isimproved.

Nature Kenya has also been vocalizing it’s skepticism about the benefits ofJatropha as a “green” alternative to fossil fuels and recommends that Jatrophashould only be grown as a hedge or living fence. This makes sense if you are atrying to prevent a Jatropha project from coming to fruition, but I am certainthe many scientists, multinational organizations and governments around theworld who have invested tens of millions of dollars into the research ofJatropha as a sustainable and viable biofuel feedstock would strongly disagree.NASA, for instance, has flown Jatropha to space to test the impact of zerogravity on its growth; the international airline, Lufthansa, is using Jatrophabased jet fuel on daily commercial flights; China has earmarked 13 millionhectares to grow Jatropha to help reduce their dependence on foreign oil;Jatropha has properties that can be used in the production of pain killers andother medications; and above all, it produces a clean oil that is superior tofossil fuel – an oil that is not derived from a food crop, but from a non-foodbiofuel. This is the evolution of biofuel.

Part of Bedford’s mandate is to educate people about our intentions to employlocals and to bring food security and improved quality of life to the region.We are doing it all by the book and we certainly don’t want to be implicated inallegations of irresponsible management and unfair practices.