Ontario Nature is excited to announce the details of their annual Youth Summit! The Summit brings together young people aged 14–20 for a weekend of nature exploration, environmental learning and fun outdoor activities.

For the 2023 Youth Summit, Ontario Nature, the Indigenous Environmental Institute at Trent University, Plenty Canada, and Walpole Island Land Trust will be partnering with leaders on the Youth Council and Youth Circle for Mother Earth’s Coordinating Circle to offer a unique, cross-cultural event for youth from across Ontario. The 2023 summit will be held in-person at Camp Wahanowin, Longford Mills, Ontario from September 22–24, 2023.’

Learn more at ontarionature.org/youth-summit

Did you know that gray tree frogs have the chameleon-like ability to change their color? They can be green or grey to blend in with the surrounding trees and foliage. They also have a unique arboreal lifestyle that sets them apart from other Ontario frogs.

You can hear their melodious trill-like calls in forested habitats on a warm late spring or summer evening.

This species is one of the 199 we observed during our Sauble Dunes Nature Reserve BioBlitz last month!

Learn more about Gray Treefrogs here: https://ow.ly/s7rN50OPEpi

The Sauble Dunes BioBlitz was made possible by a grant from TD and Community Foundation Grey Bruce.

Thanks to Ontario Nature for passing this along:

Ontario Nature advises drivers to be on alert for wildlife crossing the road as warmer spring weather approaches. Spring has high rates of road mortality involving reptiles as they hatch, mate, nest or seek food or warmth. Read more on the Ontario Nature website.

There’s a new issue of The Trail Times from Oxford County Trails Council. Read about the OCTC’s new president, progress on the pollinator gardens, flood remediation and more. Check it out at http://oxfordcountytrailscouncil.com/trailsnewslettersspr…

From Ontario Nature:

In keeping with many recent law and policy changes that facilitate sprawl development, the provincial government is now proposing to replace the Provincial Policy Statement, 2020 (PPS) and the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (Growth Plan) with a new Provincial Planning Statement (ERO #019-6813).

The government is abandoning its long-standing policy commitment to promote compact, transit-friendly development and prevent sprawl. Instead, the new policy thrust is to allow scattered residential lots and subdivisions anytime and anywhere, including on prime agricultural land.

The government’s underlying premise, that more land is needed for housing development outside existing settlement boundaries, is demonstrably false.

Please join Ontario Nature in opposing these changes. Ask the Government of Ontario to retain all PPS and Growth Plan policies designed to curb sprawl and protect farmland and natural areas.

The deadline for public comment through the Environmental Registry of Ontario is June 5, 2023.

Learn more at:

https://ontarionature.good.do/no-sprawl/email/

Ontario Nature’s Protect Places Campaign team has been working to permanently protect designated conservation lands (DCLs) that have been set aside by Forest Stewardship Council certified forestry companies. Permanently protecting these DCLs can contribute to the federal target of protecting 30% of lands and waters by 2030. Watch the video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MXulvRU3Hc

Our planet’s natural environment is under unprecedented stress. We need systemic change to address the most pressing environmental issues we face today, but there are still many ways that we, as individuals can contribute to restoring a healthy planet by reducing our environmental footprint. Ontario Nature provides some tips.

There are now two ways to see Upper Thames River Conservation Authority’s report cards on the environmental conditions in each of the 28 watersheds in the Upper Thames River watershed with a focus on surface water quality and forest conditions.