New Pilot Volunteer Program

Ontario Nature is launching a pilot program to connect people who want to volunteer for nature with opportunities to do so. We often get inquiries about volunteering, but we haven’t had a formal system for connecting volunteers to our needs and sometimes we don’t have any needs. We know that many Nature Network groups could benefit from volunteers. So, we thought we could be of service by having a regular volunteer posting newsletter! We are going to try this out as a pilot for a few months.

If you are a Nature Network group that could use volunteers – whether for one-day events or ongoing opportunities – please submit your postings through this form by February 26 to be included in our first newsletter going out in early March.

If you are interested in volunteering or know someone who is, you can sign up to receive the newsletter at this link. Please reach out to Lesley for more details.

Opposition to Undercutting Endangered Species Act Regulations

Did you know that new changes are proposed for regulations around the Endangered Species Act? Although the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks contends that the proposed changes would improve implementation of the legislation, the opposite is true from the perspective of protecting and recovering species at risk. The changes are geared to “streamlining” and facilitating approvals for activities that would harm many species at risk. See our recent blog for a high-level summary of our concerns.

For individuals who would like to voice their opposition, please consider signing our Action Alert and sharing it with your networks. The deadline to submit your comments is February 20th. Ontario Nature is also preparing a joint submission to the Environmental Registry along with many partner organizations – thank you to all of you who signed on!

Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas – Available Now!

Ontario Nature recently published the Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas. The atlas is 443 information-packed pages, with detailed accounts of all species in Ontario. The community science project was supported by 12,000 volunteers, making it the province’s most authoritative resource on reptile and amphibian distribution. The book’s detailed text is supported by more than 70 maps and 300 photographs.

The free digital publication is complimented by a one-time only hardcopy sale. You can pre-order the publication by March 15, 2024. Order your copy today. You can also contact your local library to suggest they add the Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas to their collection – or purchase a copy and donate it!

Webinar on Insurance Needs for Nature Groups

We are pleased to be presenting another webinar to support your organization. While we are all out there trying to do good things for nature stemming from heartfelt passions, we may not immediately see the related hazards. There are risks associated with many activities and groups and their directors may be held legally or financially accountable if something goes wrong. Insurance buffers these risks.

In this webinar, Ontario Nature’s longtime insurance broker, Ross Fraser, from Cade Insurance will talk about insurance needs for nature groups and what our group insurance covers. Ross will discuss liability, land ownership, cyber security and other risks that insurance may protect you from. He will explain the coverage available through Ontario Nature’s group insurance program. Our group program is a service we offer to our groups, but we do not benefit financially from this program. Groups are more than welcome to use other insurance, and some do.

The webinar will be held on Wednesday, March 13th from 7 to 8 p.m. via Zoom. We can provide a recording for those who are unable to attend. Pre-registration is required to receive the link to the webinar and the recording.

Interesting Links and Opportunities

• Nominate your hard-working volunteers for our Conservation Awards!
• Don’t forget to apply for up to $1,000 in funding with an Ontario Nature Reptile and Amphibian Conservation Mini-Grant! If you are interested, please complete this simple application form before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20th.
• Did you know that injured wild animals do not belong at a humane society or animal control but stand their best chances with a licenced wildlife rescue? Find out more about wildlife rescues and find one close to you at Ontario Wildlife Rescue.
• Did you miss our Jan 31st webinar on Land Stewardship Tips?  You can still watch it, and many other past webinars geared to Nature Network groups, on our YouTube channel!

Events 

See our events calendar for a complete listing of events organized by Ontario Nature and Nature Network groups.

To submit your public events to our online calendar, email them to noahc@ontarionature.org and allow up to a week for posting. Please send only events that are open to the public and no more than three per month.