From Ontario Nature:

Did you catch Ontario Nature on CBC’s Metro Morning with Chris Glover (originally from Whitby) on November 12? We were talking about the permanent protection of Thickson’s Woods, Ontario Nature’s 27th nature reserve.

Located along the shores of Lake Ontario, this rare old-growth white pine forest supports approximately 75 rare species, including 20 provincially at-risk species. It also provides important habitat for migratory birds and pollinators, serving as a vital stopover along their journeys.

For decades, local residents and volunteers worked to protect Thickson’s Woods from development. Their efforts led to the formation of Thickson’s Woods Land Trust which stewarded the property before transferring it to Ontario Nature to ensure its long-term protection.

Thickson’s Woods is now Ontario Nature’s 27th Nature Reserve, ensuring this important habitat remains protected for generations to come.

Click the link here to learn more:

https://ontarionature.org/permanently-protected…

The permanent protection of Thickson’s Woods was made possible through the generous support of the Estate of Hazel May Broker, the Echo Foundation, the Ontario Conservation Accelerator, The Zita and Mark Bernstein Family Foundation, and Thickson’s Woods Land Trust — alongside many dedicated Ontario Nature members.

From Upper Thames River Conservation Authority:

On Dec. 1st, we’re taking part in Giving Tuesday to support Southern Ontario At Risk Reptiles – SOARR and its work to protect and recover at-risk turtles, snakes, and more across the region.

For 30+ years, SOARR has been protecting vulnerable nests, incubating eggs, releasing hatchlings, conserving habitat, and monitoring local reptile populations. This work is making a difference, but continued efforts depend on community support.

Mark your calendar for Dec. 1st and join us in supporting the work that gives vulnerable animals a better chance of survival!

Learn more about SOARR and how you can help at: https://thamesriverdonations.ca/protect-species-at-risk

From Ontario Nature:

A new report from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) confirms that the removal of provincial habitat protections has created an imminent threat to the Piping Plover’s recovery at Wasaga Beach. This is what experts have been warning about for more than a year.

The report identifies beach management activities, including mechanical raking, as an immediate threat. Proposed developments, including an eco-resort, marina and amusement deck, could further jeopardize the species’ recovery.

Since returning to Ontario in 2007 after a 30-year absence, Wasaga Beach has become the province’s most important nesting site. Approximately 70 per cent of Ontario-fledged Piping Plovers that have survived to adulthood originated from this stretch of shoreline.

In April 2026, Ecojustice on behalf of Environmental Defence CanadaOntario Nature, filed a judicial review application, followed by an urgent injunction motion in July 2026. After the injunction was filed, the Town of Wasaga Beach gave the Court a legally enforceable undertaking to avoid specified damaging activities in the critical habitat through October 31, 2026.

The federal report confirms what conservation organizations and experts have been saying: recovery is highly unlikely without immediate intervention.

Now, the federal government must act to protect this endangered shorebird and its habitat.

: Click here to read our full statement and background information: https://ontarionature.org/news-release/federal-environment-ministry-finds-imminent-threat-to-endangered-piping-plover-following-ontario-deregulation/

From Ontario Nature:

he legislature returned to Queen’s Park last week after not sitting since early June and the Government of Ontario immediately introduced an omnibus bill (140, Building Ontario Faster Act).

Bill 140 amends 21 pieces of legislation and creates three new ones. Of particular concern are the changes to the Environmental Bill of Rights. The proposed amendments take away your rights to participate and know about decisions impacting our environment.

The rights of Ontarians to participate in environmental decision-making and seek accountability for environmental harms are not red tape. Bill 140 takes away those rights and must be withdrawn or significantly amended. Share and like if you agree.

Call or email your MPP and tell them nature and your rights are not red tape.

Read our Media Statement here:

From Ontario Nature:

This upcoming Giving Tuesday, consider supporting Ontario Nature’s efforts to expand Sauble Dunes Nature Reserve and protect another 168 acres of precious habitat.

This land is home to 24 species at risk and 46 rare species. Your gift can help protect their habitat, strengthen landscape connectivity and build resilience against development and climate change.

Give this Giving Tuesday to help protect Sauble Dunes Nature Reserve and the species that call it home.

To learn more and donate, click here:

https://ontarionature.org/give/other-ways-to-give/giving-tuesday/

From Ontario Nature:

For the first time, Ontario Nature is publicly sharing its strategic plan, a five-year map that reflects where we have been, what we have learned and what we are committing to become.

In this introduction, Executive Director Andrés Jiménez Monge speaks to the urgency of conservation in Ontario and the need to move beyond protecting individual species. Lasting protection means safeguarding the relationships that sustain them: connected landscapes, shared waters, Indigenous knowledge and the communities working to protect them.

It also means building stronger partnerships, uplifting grassroots agency, influencing the decisions that shape our environment and creating protections that endure beyond any one government or election.

At 95 years, we know who we are. We also know there is more we must become. Listen to Andrés introduce Ontario Nature’s Centennial Strategic Plan and the work ahead of us.

Want to learn more? You can read our Centennial Strategic Plan here:

https://catalog.ontarionature.org/strategic-plan/page/1

See the original post, including a video of Executive Director Andrés Jiménez Monge introducing Ontario Nature’s Centennial Strategic Plan here.

And if you believe in a future where nature thrives, we’d love to have you join us.

From Turtles Kingston:

Let’s get talk about some myths about our Ontario local common snapping turtle

Perpetuating myths about their ‘aggression’ can further put this species down the road to extinction as it prevents people from helping them.

Let’s set some things straight – yes they are intimidating to help and if you are not comfortable or it is not safe you should prioritize your self. However, with a little knowledge you can easily stay safe and help these living dinosaurs.

From Ontario Nature:

If you are a high school aged youth based in Ontario, passionate about nature and conservation, and looking to join a diverse network of like-minded peers, join the Ontario Nature Youth Council!

As a Youth Council member, you will:

• Build connections with like-minded peers, Ontario Nature staff, supporters and members.
• Learn about important conservation issues and take action.
• Develop your personal and professional skillsets and leadership.
• Receive community volunteer hours and professional references as an active member.

Applications are open until December 15. Questions? Reach out to Emily Green, Education Coordinator at emilyg@ontarionature.org.

Learn more and apply here.

We look forward to welcoming you to the 2026-2027 Youth Council!

From Ethan Tapper:

What’s birding’s problem???

As a birder myself, I have such a deep love for birding and birders — one of my very favorite things to do, and some of my favorite people in the world. But when I became a birder, I noticed something funny about birding culture, which is that it was really just a discipline of observation — we observed birds, and nothing else. And even when we were witnessing the decline of bird species due to things like habitat degradation, introduced species and more, everyone would say “oh well.” And it’s not just birding — I find that in nearly every community of folks that enjoy or utilize forests or other ecosystems in some way, we notice things happening that impact the things that we love, but then don’t think it’s up to us to do anything about it.

I come from the world of forestry, which is a discipline of action, and so when birders would tell me about some bird species that was declining or that had been lost, I would say: “What do you wanna do about it?”

We are fortunate to have tools that can solve or help so many of the ecological problems that we face, and if we’re willing take action and to make tough choices — doing things like cutting trees, burning, controlling deer overpopulations, controlling invasive plants, curbing development and habitat fragmentation — we can attenuate and even reverse these changes. And I truly believe that this is the deepest form that a relationship can take — to go beyond noticing, or witnessing, and to a place of stewardship.

My new book The Forest Year: Finding Hope in a World Worth Saving was published on October 6, and is now available as a hardcover, ebook or audiobook wherever books are sold! Please pick up a copy at your local independent bookseller, or you can find some options at EthanTapper.com/forestyear

Watch Ethan’s video.

From Saving Monarchs:

Snakes, toads, bats, mice and so many other creatures often get a bad reputation simply because they can look scary or make people uncomfortable.

But every one of them plays an important role in nature. They help control insects and rodents, provide food for other wildlife, pollinate plants, spread seeds and help keep our ecosystems in balance.

We don’t have to love every creature, but we should learn to respect them. Before you reach for a shovel, spray or trap, remember that they are just trying to survive and they have an important job to do.

A healthy natural world needs all of them.