From the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority:

The proposed Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority — covering eight conservation authorities and 81 municipalities — is much too large to remain responsive and effective. The Province should consider smaller, more focused regional models that improve efficiency while preserving local knowledge and relationships.

You can learn more about the proposal here: https://www.thamesriver.on.ca/CA-changes

Your input matters. Share your feedback on the Environmental Registry of Ontario by December 22, 2025: https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/025-1257

Let’s call the consolidation of conservation authorities what it really is… another step in the Doug Ford government’s dismantling of conservation rules/regulations and efforts to safely guard our water and land management and species conservation. It started with the firing and removal of Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner early in his first mandate. Take a moment to comment on your thoughts and concerns … it matters.

From the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority:

At its November meeting, the UTRCA Board of Directors received a staff report and presentation about the Province’s proposal to consolidate Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities into 7 large regional authorities.

The Board members discussed potential impacts on the programs and services that the UTRCA provides to their municipal residents. A key concern is the importance of maintaining local Board representation that balances both rural and urban priorities and interests.

The Board strongly encourages our watershed municipalities, First Nations, partners, and other interest-holders to carefully evaluate the Province’s proposal to consolidate conservation authorities. Comments can be made at: https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/025-1257

Read more in the Thames River Current article, including the motion passed at the November Board meeting: https://thamesriver.on.ca/utrca-board-responds-to-bill-68/

It is hard to imagine how mandated window treatments can be such a detriment to developers’ bottom lines… everyone should be concerned with the millions of birds lost due to window strikes. Hope Manitobans can fight back.

From Nature Nova Scotia:

Why Winnipeg’s decision matters for Halifax

Winnipeg recently moved to scrap its bird-friendly window bylaw, less than a year after it came into effect. Conservationists are “shocked,” calling it “a backwards move for birds.” The changes on the table include dropping the bird-friendly window requirements. A bird-safe window is one that is built or retrofitted with features like patterned films, decals, glazes, or coatings to reduce strikes. Environment and Climate Change Canada estimates that between sixteen million and forty-two million migratory birds die in Canada each year due to window collisions.

Meanwhile, Halifax still proudly carries the designation of being a Bird Friendly City. Last year we presented to the ESSC about the importance of bird-friendly design, especially to prevent deadly window strikes, and successfully got language into our Regional Plan calling for future developments to “consider birds and fatalities.”

Of note, in Winnipeg it was the Urban Development Institute of Manitoba, the developers’ lobby, that pushed for the bylaw’s removal — the same type of lobby groups that lobbied to remove bird-friendly wording from Halifax’s proposed Regional Plan. Lobby groups pushed us out of the Regional Plan. Many bird-friendly initiatives are hard-fought, and our progress in Halifax is precious. If Winnipeg can reverse itself so quickly, it shows how fragile these protections really are.

If we care about Halifax birds, it is up to us to keep the pressure on: demand bird-safe design, support Bird Friendly Halifax, and make sure that “consider birds” does not become “forget birds.”

To date, we have passed out hundreds of free window strike kits to local residents. While it is too cold right now to put up the stickers, in the spring there will be many more safe windows. A significant ongoing threat, however, remains untreated glass in high rise builds in migration corridors, which continues to put birds at risk.

From the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority:

The provincial government has proposed major changes for Ontario’s Conservation Authorities:

– Consolidating the 36 Conservation Authorities into 7 Regional Conservation Authorities,

– Creating the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency to lead and oversee the new regional authorities.

For the UTRCA, this means amalgamating with seven other CAs in the proposed Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority, which would include 81 municipalities. The UTRCA currently delivers programs and services to urban and rural communities in 17 watershed municipalities, which appoint the UTRCA’s Board of Directors.

Links to more info and maps of the proposed new regional CA in the article below.

Have your say! Public feedback is open until December 22, 2025, on the Environmental Registry of Ontario: https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/025-1257

From Oxford County:

Are you passionate about reducing waste and want to make a difference in your community?

Zero Waste Oxford provides feedback and ideas to Oxford County staff on waste management and diversion programs, helps build community partnerships, and promotes actions that move the County toward its long-term goal of zero waste as outlined in the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan.

We’re looking for up to 10 new members from across Oxford County to bring forward a resident or business viewpoint. Zero Waste Oxford meets virtually on the third Wednesday of each month from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.

Apply online by Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at www.oxfordcounty.ca/ZWOapplication.

From the Canadian Herpetological Society

A Midland Painted Turtle was found basking in Oxford County Ontario on November 23rd. A few hitchhikers (leeches) were taking full advantage of the Turtle’s slow movement in the wetland over the past few weeks. These leeches are aptly named “Smooth Turtle Leech”. Leeches are not generally detrimental, and will sometimes provide a good food source for turtles during the active season. Although turtles are quite hardy, and basking in 7° weather isn’t unheard of at certain times a year, though by late November the urge to bask is generally greatly reduced as the Turtles prepare for a long cold winter. Basking this late in the season can sometimes indicate illness or injury, though this Turtle had clear eyes and good fat reserves, with no visible issues.

From Carolinian Canada Coalition:

Looking to expand your knowledge of native plants & the Carolinian Zone? Now is a great time to become a Friend of Carolinian Canada so you can enjoy all of the 2026 offerings we have in store for subscribers.

Check out the sneak peek of our 2026 webinars, with more to be announced in the new year! Join us as we explore our connection to native plants and how they are our allies in reducing mosquitoes and ticks, building climate resiliency, and growing habitat.

Your subscription also includes exclusive access and discounts to native seeds, impactful events & webinars, and native plant resources, so you’ll be equipped to make a difference in stewarding the unique biodiversity of the Carolinian Zone.

Get yours today at: caroliniancanada.ca/membership

From Ontario Nature:

Building a safe, natural and balanced environment for ALL OF US is building Canada. And that includes wildlife overpasses that help animals safely cross highways while protecting drivers.

To put it into perspective, species like moose and turtles have just five seconds to make it across North America’s busiest highway — the 401. That’s why we need wildlife crossings.

Wildlife crossings help reconnect fragmented landscapes — but only if we act now. Several planning studies are underway to evaluate the expansion of Highway 401 in the Frontenac Arch, and you can have your input into the decision making process.

This type of infrastructure has a lifespan of 75 years — therefore, the decisions made today will impact the next several generations of communities and wildlife.

After two decades of research, the Algonquin to Adirondacks Collaborative A2A Algonquin to Adirondacks Collaborative has identified priority areas for mitigation, including three wildlife overpasses on Highway 401 between Gananoque and Mallorytown, that will greatly benefit wildlife and protect drivers from the impact of wildlife vehicle collisions.

Wildlife overpasses have the capability to immediately enhance connectivity of wildlife habitats by providing animals like fishers, bears, and moose safe passage over dangerous roads like Highway 401.

Learn more about wildlife crossings in Ontario Nature’s blog which explores how reconnecting habitats across major highways like the 401 is vital for wildlife and a healthy, resilient ecosystem here:

See the full video at https://www.facebook.com/reel/1491656335464855

A blog post by Turtles Kingston is all about turtles and fishing. This is a great blog with pointers about you can be nature-friendly when you fish. Read the full post here.

From Monarchs Migrating through Ontario:

Almost 200,000 dead monarchs were found on 2 highways in Mexico in 2018

“Recent estimates based on a study in Texas suggest that mortality during autumn migration may be of the order of 2 million per year or about 3% of the population.”

Read the whole study:
Mortality of Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippus) at Two Highway Crossing “Hotspots” During Autumn Migration in Northeast Mexico