Forests and Wildlife
Canada's most important natural resource is its forests which provide timber, pulpwood, wildlife habitat and a wealth of recreational opportunities. But the forests are not limitless and all Canadians must share a renewed commitment to their wise use and management.
Within the conservation movement, sustainable forestry means forest practices that ensure that the structure, function and composition of the forest are maintained in perpetuity. It also entails the equitable distribution of forest resource benefits, and the opportunity for the public to be involved in a meaningful way. After all, the forests of Ontario are ours—88% of forested land is Crown land, held for the people of Ontario in trust by the provincial government.
You can read our 2002 publication on the State of Ontario’s forests online at:
http://www.sierraclub.ca/national/programs/biodiversity/forests/state-of-the-forests/index.html
If you are interested in joining the volunteer Forests Team please contact chair Emma Cane, at (emmac<at>sierraclub.ca).
Treemuggers - when are our natural areas worth fighting for?
Submitted by Jeff Alan on Fri, 2013-05-31 15:33
It was both surprising and un-surprising to be heckled last week during LEAF's tree-planting demo at Eglinton Park... and not just once. However, the voice that stood out the most was the girl who launched a snarky “TREEHUGGERS!” from the passenger seat as they rumbled west through the intersection at Eglinton & Oriole Parkway. We all shrugged it off as quickly as it happened, but I'm sure everyone felt the same twinge of concern that enhancing a public space was a mockable offense in 2013 Toronto.
In the last session of the Tree Tenders1 course, we learned that our megacity is currently around 20% tree coverage, and the goal is 35%. Good luck - with every development site turning “surplus land” and people's backyards into condos, where's the space for trees going to come from? Oh, it's there in the form of sidewalk trees that live for a decade. Yes.... Read more »
- Jeff Alan's blog
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Latest outings and volunteer opportunities (spring/summer 2013)
Submitted by Kristina Jackson on Fri, 2013-05-31 12:21This summer we have put together a few "walks and talks" around Mississauga and Toronto. These walks are free, and are guided by naturalists and professionals that provide a chance to get outdoors and learn something new about the natural areas within our communities. We hope you can join us for some/all of these events. Please feel free to share with those you think might be interested in attending!
Please email <sarahp@sierraclub.ca> if you want to RSVP, or if you have any questions.
** For those of you located in Mississauga South, we are looking for an additional volunteer for a tabling event at the Clarkson Club Day (handing out flyers) on June 6 from 6:30-9pm. If interested, please e-mail me for more details.
Scheduled Events:... Read more »
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Getting Back to Nature
Submitted by Sarah Pollock on Tue, 2013-05-21 07:38
By: Sarah Pollock
Like many of us, you may agree that this winter in particular seemed like it would never end. It felt as if the cold and snow were here to stay, and that spring was more than just around the corner. It wasn’t until a month ago that I realized how much it had affected me. While heading out for my first run of the season I felt a sense of freedom and a buzz in the air. The warm weather, the sunshine, and the end of a long hibernation period have allowed me to be finally immersed back in nature. ... Read more »
- Sarah Pollock's blog
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Getting to Know Ontario’s Wildlife: Canada Geese
Submitted by Julia Kole on Wed, 2013-05-15 12:51
By: Julia Kole
“Canadian geese or Canada geese? Year-round residents! Noisy, mean, green-pooping machines! ”
Even though the Branta Canadensis has “Canada” in its name, very few Canadians are proud to lay claim to this vocal, abundant, messy bird. Although rather striking to look at, people are quick to consider these birds just a pretty face. People in urban, suburban and rural areas have all come to label Canada geese - not Canadian geese, they cannot have sole citizenship since they can be found from the Arctic Circle to Northern Mexico- as pests, hazards and at times, aggressive animals.
The Fast Facts:... Read more »
- Julia Kole's blog
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Natural Capital Volunteers
Sierra Club Ontario’s Natural Capital & Credit (NCC) Project needs volunteers.
Natural capital is a term used for assigning economic value to natural processes that benefit humankind also referred to as ecological goods and services. Benefits provided by natural areas include water purification, oxygen creation & carbon sinks, flood protection, minerals and more.
Please join us if you can help us promote and execute our walks & talks in Mississauga (our 2013 project) and expansion into Brampton (in 2014). Activities for volunteers include: ... Read more »
Posting closes:
Mon, 2013-09-30 (All day)
Volunteer opportunities: April/May and more
Submitted by Kristina Jackson on Fri, 2013-04-05 12:49
First, we are happy to help you bloggers & writers out there get published on our website.
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Mississauga's Natural Capital: The Foundation of Our Health and Well Being
Natural capital refers to stock of natural resources and environmental assets and how they contribute to building healthy communities. The Natural Capital perspective tries to quantify the wide range of benefits that are provided by these natural resources and environmental assets for free.
Thanks to recent support from Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund we are expanding the NCC by doing walks & talks and natural area restoration projects starting in April 2013. If you are interested in volunteering or attending these events contact Kristina at 647-346-8744 or kristinaj@sierraclub.ca.
Click to open the pdf below and learn more about specific Mississauga examples of natural capital.
View this publication
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Getting to Know Ontario’s Wildlife: The Coyote
Submitted by Julia Kole on Wed, 2013-03-20 09:25
By Julia Kole
Sneaky suburban invader? Pesky predator? Mangy mutt? Wile E. Coyote?
Are any of these the taglines that come to mind when you think of the Canis latrans? Many people are familiar with this clever wild canine; however, there are many misconceptions out there that give these creatures a bad name. I hope that this small article will help bring coyotes out of the shifty shadows of misunderstanding and into the light of respect.
The Fast Facts:
Type: Mammal
Size: length, 120-150 cm; tail, 40 cm; height, 50-66 cm
Weight: 9-18 kg
Lifespan: up to 14 years... Read more »
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Cornell University online catalog of almost 150,000 animal calls
Submitted by Kristina Jackson on Wed, 2013-02-20 13:14Have you heard a loon call? If you haven't, you should. It is an eerie, spectral sound. Now you can find it and almost 150,000 other animal calls collected in one place online.
I heard about this via Openculture.com. I've pasted part of their article below but you will want to go to Openculture or Cornell's Macaulay Library for the accompanying videos. ... Read more »
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Salamanders in Crisis!
Submitted by Guest on Tue, 2013-02-05 16:44
An Overview of why Salamander Conservation is Needed.
By Matt Ellerbeck - Salamander Conservationist... Read more »
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Update on REDD post-UN climate meetings
Submitted by Kristina Jackson on Thu, 2013-01-24 16:10According to Wikipedia: Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) is a set of steps designed to use market and financial incentives in order to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases from ... Read more »
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Gag-a
Submitted by Jeff Alan on Mon, 2012-10-29 06:03By Jeff Alan
Word on the internet is, they have named some ferns after Lady Gaga1. That's great and all, since they've also named proteins after Sonic the Hedgehog2 and Pikachu3, but let's stay serious. For someone who supports so many social causes, she doesn't seem to put much thought towards the biggest one.... Read more »
- Jeff Alan's blog
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Children of the (Genetically Modified) Corn
Submitted by Denna Berg on Fri, 2012-10-12 12:09
By: Denna Berg / Photo: Utne.com
“For farmers today, it’s all about getting the most acre of corn while using as little inputs as possible”
-- Monsanto (2012)
Well lucky for farmers, Monsanto has concocted this magical corn seed which allows corn farmers to easily control natural variables and increase the amount of corn available to harvest. Whether you need a corn variety that can survive droughts and insects or can produce high ethanol yields, Monsanto’s super genius researchers can find a way to “unlock the yield potential” of the seeds (Monsanto, 2010)!
Marvelous!
Or is it...... Read more »
- Denna Berg's blog
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Government has “Nothing to Report” from Required Wildlife Monitoring Program after 18 Years
Toronto, October 2, 2012 – Ontario is blind to the impact forestry is having on wildlife species across the province says Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner Gord Miller today in the release of Part 2 of his 2011/2012 Annual Report, Losing Our Touch. Despite a legal requirement to do so, Miller says the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) does not adequately monitor forest wildlife populations and incorporate the information into its own forest management policies.
When a class environmental assessment eighteen years ago authorized MNR to proceed with planning for timber harvesting and related activities, it also imposed legally binding terms and conditions. One requirement was the establishment of a province-wide monitoring program that would assess how timber harvesting affects forest-dwelling species.... Read more »
Link to source site:
http://www.eco.on.ca/index.php/en_US/pubs/annual-reports-and-supplements/losing-... - Login to post comments
EC: Almost 1 in 10 hunters/anglers inspected are breaking law
Submitted by Kristina Jackson on Fri, 2012-09-21 13:47Media release from Environment Canada
Stopping the Illegal Export of Canadian Wildlife... Read more »
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Come See the Forest AND the Trees at the Planet in Focus festival
Submitted by Kristina Jackson on Tue, 2012-09-18 11:34We are very excited to be involved in the 13th Annual Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival, October 10–14, 2012!
Sierra Club Ontario is cosponsoring the screening of Rainforest: The Limit of Splendour, screening with Eyes in the Forest and Crown of Life. These are on the final day of the festival Sunday, October 14 at 4:00 PM at the spectacular TIFF Bell Lightbox (Cinema 2). ... Read more »
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Peel Group Annual Fall Tree Planting -- Brampton, Sept. 8
Submitted by Kristina Jackson on Mon, 2012-08-27 11:48
Come join us and our friends with Credit Valley Conservation to put a whole lot of trees in the ground. Saturday, Sept. 8 in Sandalwood Park, Brampton. Starts at 9 am and will be done by 1pm.
All necessary planting equipment and drinks are provided. Please dress for the weather and wear your work boots!
Call 647-346-8744 or email Kristinaj@sierraclub.ca if you want to carpool from Toronto or Etobicoke.
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Domestic cats are killers
Submitted by Kristina Jackson on Thu, 2012-08-09 15:39Our kitty cats are second only to our windows when it comes to killing wild birds. If you were not yet convinced that keeping your cat inside is best for the environment you should check out this article in Treehugger.... Read more »
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Burying the Past, Exhuming It, Repeating
Submitted by Guest on Tue, 2012-07-17 13:54By Jeff Allen
Canada's history (and present state) as a place of mines and sawmills and boom-bust cycles has left a lot of pock marks across the landscape. Sometimes someone deals with them, sometimes nobody does.
Marathon, Ontario, has had a string of hazardous materials spilled/leaked/mishandled out of an abandoned sawmill over the last few years, on top of the already dirty history of operation. Said contamination blessed the surrounding area with everyone's favourite friends “Miss Mercury” and “Captain PCB”.... Read more »
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Rouge Park Visioning Opportunity
Submitted by Guest on Thu, 2012-07-12 11:14Rouge Park is about to become a National Park, and your help is needed!
The creation of Rouge National Park means greater opportunity to protect local wildlife and natural habitats but your input is needed to make this happen. With our federal government investing $144 million to create the park, you need to let them know how this money should be spent.
Extending the park beyond the proposed study area of 60 km2 to 100 + km2, giving priority to ecological integrity and water quality, and respecting the park’s “carrying capacity” are a few concerns which Friends of the Rouge are encouraging citizens to be vocal about.... Read more »
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