Caring for Nature Blogs
These blogs will address various topics about how we can connect with and preserve nature in our communities.
Environmental impacts of glyphosate in Ontario’s forestry industry
Imagine walking through a forest and hearing nothing but the soft crunch of fallen needles and dry twigs beneath your feet. “You notice the underbrush and poplar are missing; these are the unwanted species for the forestry industry (…) Even the songbirds are absent.” Eerie, isn’t it? This is how lifelong trapper, hunter, and fisherman, …
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Fed is Dead? Why Feeding Wildlife Can be Detrimental
The Land Between is home to diverse natural habitats that are full of nature’s sights and sounds. These marvels attract people from all over the world who visit here with the hopes of experiencing nature up close and personal. Many people say that they love wildlife and express this love through FOOD! However, when it …
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The Benefits of Having a Connection With Nature
Renowned naturalist, writer, and biologist, E.O. Wilson theorized that humans have an innate connection to the environment, an evolutionary trait coined by Kellert & Wilson (1993) as biophilia. They argue that an intimate understanding of natural processes and ecosystem interactions were advantageous to humans through time to find necessities like food, water, and shelter. Thus, …
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How Can We Make Golfing More Sustainable
Golf courses have been a hot topic of conservation for many years due to the large expanses of land, management regimes and water extraction methods which they employ. However, golf courses also provide many people with the opportunity to experience and connect with nature. In fact, turtles, birds, pollinators and other organisms can often be …
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Turn Off Your Lights and Welcome Fireflies
Did you know that there are 29 known species of fireflies (Lampyridae) in eastern Canada and 19 of which have been found in Ontario?1 These beetles can be found in June and July in grassland, woodland and wetland habitats where they light up the night (usually around dusk) using bioluminescence (light production through a series …
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Have You Seen the Drama Queen of The Land Between?
Did you know that snakes play an important role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem? They help control rodent populations and also provide food for other predators. The snake gets a pretty bad rep. Most people think they are scary and dangerous. Here, at the Land between charity, we want to break these stereotypes because snakes …
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Policy Levers to Protect Nature in TLB
A recent project led by Samantha Dunlop (with Ulinks, Trent University and in partnership with The Land Between charity), explored the various policies that upper and lower tier municipalities have to support or protect biodiversity; Policies that deal with shorelands, set backs, lighting, green spaces, noise and others. In this project, the municipalities in the …
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Phrag Fighters Help Save Lake and Wetland Habitats
Invasive Phragmites is a large grass-like plant that is taking over Ontario’s wetlands and reducing biodiversity. The plant colonizes ditches, bays and wetland pockets. It grows in such thick mats that turtles, frogs, and other animals cannot move through their native habitats. The plant is also tall, and blocks sight lines along roadsides. In the …
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What the Phrag?! All You Need to Know About Invasive Phragmites
Phragmites australis australis, otherwise known as European Common Reed or Invasive Phragmites, is a fast-spreading, perennial aquatic grass found growing in wetlands, shorelines and roadside ditches. This aggressive plant crushes biodiversity by outcompeting our native plants. In 2005, Invasive Phragmites was named Canada’s worst invasive plant species by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. What Does It …
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