A big thanks to Nicole and Mark of the Langlois Family for the model home tour on January 20, 2024, showcasing The Village Farm, eco modern country living in Embro. Their “passive homes” are amazing! Beautiful design with unsurpassed energy efficiency, comfort and healthy indoor environment. A passive home standard means it consumes 90% less energy than most existing buildings and 75% less than conventional new homes…Inspiring! The photos speak for themselves… as does their passion for the neighborhood they are building. For more information visit langloisecohomesltd.com.

From Ontario Nature:

After a decade-long run, Ontario is making some timely adjustments to the provincial Invasive Species Strategic Plan (2012). To guide updates to the plan, the government invited the public to provide their vision for the future of invasive species prevention and management in Ontario.

Ontario Nature did just that, incorporating feedback from 19 of our Nature Network member groups.

The David Suzuki Foundation provides tips for connecting with nature in fall and winter.

Discover the enchantment of fall and winter by immersing yourself in nature. You may even fall in love with the special seasonal benefits of these cooler months. Find inspiration in these connecting with nature tips.

Read more.

Saving Monarchs has compiled a list of the birds that went extinct during 2023. They have also included a link to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s list of the 21 species delisted from the Endangered Species Act due to extinction.

From Environment and Climate Change Canada – posted by Nature Canada – December 18, 2023

“The scale of the biodiversity crisis—the worst extinction since the dinosaurs—requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. To ensure that our efforts to reach Canada’s 30×30 conservation target have the greatest possible impact, we will need our towns and cities working hand in hand with other levels of government as champions for nature. Nature Canada is proud to bring our partners together to work with municipalities on a mission to protect nature in communities across Canada.” – Emily McMillan, Executive Director – Nature Canada

Read more.

From the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority:

From time to time there is unsightly foam flowing down the river or accumulating along the shoreline in the Upper Thames River watershed. If you have every experienced this, you may have immediately thought this was some chemical flowing down the waterway. In a majority of situations, the foam is a natural phenomenon. Read more on the UTRCA website.

From Ontario Parks:

Wild animals rely on evolution and natural adaptations to survive until spring. The strategies they’ve developed are varied and, simply, incredible.

Read how sporting six different ways Ontario Parks’ wildlife makes it through the winter.

From Nature Canada – Announced in November 2023:

Nature Canada is thrilled to announce the country’s newest Certified Bird Friendly Cities and Towns for the 2023 Fall season! These include:

• Richmond Hill, ON
• Devon, AB
• Selwyn, ON
• Hudson, QC

The first three cities Certified as Bird Friendly in 2021, Toronto, ON, Calgary, AB, and London, ON, have also successfully renewed their Certification status.

This brings the total number of Bird Friendly municipalities in Canada to 24.

All Certified cities and towns have collaborated with Nature Canada, local community organizations and amazing volunteers to make their communities a safe haven for wild birds!

From the Wilderness Committee – Ontario Office:

Ontario needs more protected areas. In 2021, the government’s Protected Areas Working Group made key recommendations to help the province protect 30 per cent of lands and waters in Ontario by 2030 — information revealed through a FOI obtained by the Wilderness Committee.

We are a part of 124 organizations urging the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks, Andrea Khanjin, to follow through on these recommendations. Read more and take action.

Thanks to the 18 supporters and members who joined IDNC’s annual general meeting on November 4, 2023, at the Lawson Nature Reserve. Lots of good ideas flowed and our next year should prove to be interesting. For walks and lecture details, check our website. Thanks to Peter Krats for providing a thoughtful Indigenous Acknowledgement.