Do you know a conservation champion in your community? Nominate them for Ontario Nature‘s Conservation Awards! Learn more.

From the Ontario Invasive Plant Council:

Do you how to tell Invasive Phragmites from Native Phragmites?

Invasive Phragmites

High density stands, near monoculture stands of living and dead stems (up to 200 per m2).

Generally, dull tan or beige stems with a rough texture. Grows up to 5m or more

Leaves are typically blue-green

Large, dense seed heads

Native Phragmites

Low density stands, with fewer dead stems and oftenmixed with other vegetation.

Stems are generally shorter and thinner, shiny with a reddish-brown colour in the lower internodes and a smooth texture

Leaves are typically yellow-green

Small, sparse seed heads

From ReForest London:

Did you know that cold temperatures are not just a challenge for trees—they’re essential for their survival and renewal?

Many temperate tree species, such as oaks, maples, and fruit-bearing trees, require a period of winter dormancy to regulate their growth cycles. This “chilling requirement” ensures that buds do not sprout prematurely during unseasonable warm spells, which could leave them vulnerable to late frosts.

During this period, trees undergo physiological changes:

Their metabolism slows, conserving energy.

Hormonal changes prepare buds for synchronized spring emergence.

Deciduous trees shed leaves to minimize water loss in freezing conditions.

Winter is nature’s way of resetting the growth cycle—ensuring that when spring arrives, trees awaken with full strength and vigor!

The Young Nature Leaders Grant was established in 2017. Each successful applicant receives $1000 to develop and implement a project centered around promoting sustainability in Canada. To date, 42 young people have been awarded the Grant, each carrying out important and impactful projects.

Applications are now open: https://naturecanada.ca/young-leader-grant/

Each February, for four days, the world comes together for the love of birds. Over these four days we invite people to spend time in their favorite places watching and counting as many birds as they can find and reporting them. The Annual Great Backyard Bird Count takes place February 14-17, 2025. Learn more at https://www.birdcount.org/

Think you know birds? This quiz from Ontario Nature will put that knowledge to the test.

From Ontario Nature:

Do you know a conservation champion in your community? Show your appreciation for their efforts by nominating them for an Ontario Nature Conservation Award. Nominations for the 2025 Conservation Awards will be accepted until March 24. For more information, visit the Ontario Nature website.

From Southern Ontario At Risk Reptiles – SOARR:

It is now January 2025, and as Southern Ontario At Risk Reptiles (SOARR) begins it’s 32nd year carrying out research and conservation for some of Ontario’s most at-risk reptile species, we wanted to send out a huge thank you to everyone that made last year (2024) a tremendous success!

While reptiles have many obstacles to overcome, we can see some light at the end of the tunnel. Our reptile recovery efforts are ensuring tangible results for a number of species, especially the endangered Spiny Softshell Turtle. For the first time in likely the past 100 years or more, the softshell turtle population in the Upper Thames River watershed is starting to increase, instead of decrease! Thanks to the efforts of SOARR and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, we now see individuals of all ages, and for the 5th year in a row, we have observed new females starting to nest! This is a monumental moment for the species in Canada.

Additionally, we are positively impacting a number of other species, as well as influencing our local communities. We have seen so many dedicated and caring individuals, from all walks of life, stand up for our declining reptiles, through fundraising/donations, citizen science, volunteering, contacting elected officials, creating habitat on their properties and so much more. There is such great enthusiasm to make the world a little bit safer for our scaled neighbours. With that being said, the road to recovery is a difficult one and significant threats remain, so we are unable to let off the gas until we ensure there are viable populations and protected habitat throughout this region.

2024 SOARR RESULT OVERVIEW:

– a total of 10,000 hatchling turtles emerged in our lab, from 628 nests, of six different turtle species.

– of those 10,000 hatchlings, 5025 were endangered Spiny Softshell Turtles from the Thames River.

– We also conducted research at multiple sites, and assessed, measured, weighed and or marked over 500 turtles and snakes in the wild this year, including Spiny Softshell Turtle (endangered), Spotted Turtle (endangered), Blanding’s Turtle (endangered/threatened), Northern Map Turtle (special concern), Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (threatened), Queensnake (endangered) Milksnake (special concern) and others.

-We created, or rehabilitated over 20 turtle nesting sites, put in wildlife exclusion fencing to keep animals safe from roads, removed invasive plants, planted native plants, removed garbage from sensitive sites and installed various types of snake habitat throughout the watershed.

We all play a role in wildlife recovery, and united we have a strong voice for those without a voice.

Thank you!

Scott

Scott Gillingwater

Species At Risk Biologist, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority

Director, Southern Ontario At Risk Reptiles (SOARR)

If you would like to donate to SOARR, follow this link.

From the Carolinian Canada Coalition:

In case you haven’t heard… the Hope in the Land Expo is back on April 5, 2025!

Bring your friends and family and spend the day experiencing storytelling, hands-on workshops, wildlife shows, presentations, native plant sales, exhibitor booths, and MORE at the Western Fair District Agriplex in London, ON.

Join a community of people growing and embedding HOPE in the land through the following themes:

Heal the Land

On the Land Encounters

Plants of These Lands

Embrace Each Other

All ages welcome!

Save the date and stay tuned for early bird tickets!

From Ontario Nature:

Algonquin to Adirondack Collaborative (A2A) would like your support in amplifying their latest action alert urging the Government of Ontario to advocate for wildlife crossings on highway 401 in the Frontenac Arch region.

As you may know from the recent release of our Right to Roam report, we estimate that more than 20,000 animals are killed every year on highways in the A2A corridor. These roads impose a barrier to wildlife movement. As development increases, habitat loss accumulates and species ranges shift in response to climate change, wildlife movement routes will become more limited.

The planned widening of Highway 401 to six and eventually eight lanes in portions of the region will further reduce connectivity and increase wildlife mortality. We’re working hard to preserve this landscape connectivity for the long-term function and resilience of the A2A region— but we need your help to reach a wider audience.

Sign the Action Alert.