Mental illness affects one in five Canadians in any given year.

Ontario Park has published an article talking about what nature can do for your mental health.

“Are you furrgetting something?” – Your dog when you go for a hike without them.

The beauty of a hike does not need to be enjoyed alone; your dog can be the perfect companion as you adventure through your favourite park!

Do it well by planning before stepping foot, or paw, on the trail: https://bit.ly/49M2ZmE

From the David Suzuki Foundation:

A fallen tree is a forest ecosystem’s treasure. Unearth the beauty and importance of ‘coarse woody debris’ and learn why leaving it in forests is not “waste.”

All in attendance thoroughly enjoyed Dana Church’s talk on April 17, 2024, on Bees, Monarchs and Climate Change and her book sales were brisk! This was the last of this year’s IDNC Nature Notes lecture series. Thanks to the Ingersoll Public Library for co-hosting.

From the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority:

It’s flowering season for most of our native trees and shrubs! While all trees and shrubs produce flowers, not all produce showy blooms.

Wind pollinated trees like maples and oaks produce a lot of lightweight pollen that is carried in the air to other tree flowers of the same species. They trade off the expense of developing methods that attract pollinators, like petals and scents.

Insect-pollinated trees and shrubs like dogwoods and tulip trees use colourful or fragrant flowers to attract insects to them. In return, the pollinators (bees, butteflies, etc.) get nectar and pollen to eat. In the process, the sticky pollen gets stuck to them, so they carry it over to the next blossom of the same species for pollination.

Find out more in our Thames River Current newsletter.

From Heroes 4 Wildlife:

Birds make amazing nests and believe me, we get why you’d want to help. Here’s some great ways to help our nest building friends!

From Ontario Nature:

In the past year, over 156 hectares of wetlands lost their provincially significant wetland designation and the strong provincial protection that designation imparts.

Help us save the Goulbourn Wetland Complex.

From Ontario Nature:

Did you know the proposed #Highway413 will cause irreversible environmental devastation? Please ask your MP to ensure it undergoes a federal environmental assessment.

Today’s club walk through beautiful Komoka Provincial Park netted some great bird sightings of soaring mature and juvenile bald eagles, red headed, downie and hairy woodpeckers, goldfinch, junco, field sparrows and a Cooper’s hawk hunting in the woods. Added bonus the bloodroot is getting ready to open. Thanks to those who came out this morning following last night’s wind storm!

From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology:

At this time of year you have a good chance of seeing unfamiliar birds as they move north during spring migration. Most birds have a long journey to get to their breeding grounds and they may stop for a day or two to rest along the way. Storms can also break their journeys. How do you identify a new bird? Our Question of the Week gives you a few helpful tips.