Petrel Point Nature Reserve Gets Bigger and Better

Thanks to your support and a very generous gift of land from Joyce and John MacRae, we’ve added three and a half acres to our Petrel Point Nature Reserve on the South Bruce Peninsula. The new addition will provide more protected habitat for a diverse community of carnivorous plants – including horned bladderworts and pitcher plants – and orchids. There’s never been a better time to visit! We recently completed 550 metres of wheelchair accessible boardwalk so that visitors of all ages and abilities can enjoy this incredible property.

Disappointing Decision for Pollinators

Last November, Ontario Nature and our partner organizations were in court challenging Health Canada’s approval of widely used pesticides that are toxic to native bees, butterflies and songbirds. Our lawyers at Ecojustice argued that the government has failed to weigh the risks of these pesticides to pollinators and has not conducted public consultations of those risks as required by law. Unfortunately, the court dismissed the case as moot based on circumstance and timing without addressing the lack of public consultation. We are disappointed with this result, but we will continue fighting to protect Ontario’s pollinators.

Learn about Ontario’s Butterflies at Stone Road Alvar

Can you tell a monarch from a viceroy? Join Ontario Nature and biologist James Kamstra on July 21 for a hike through Stone Road Alvar Nature Reserve on Pelee Island to learn about Ontario’s numerous butterfly species. During the hike you will learn how to identify common species found in the area, as well as ways to make your own backyard more pollinator friendly. Online registration is available through Eventbrite. Space is limited, so secure your spot now!

Past Seasons of ON Nature

ON Nature, our award-winning quarterly magazine, has been connecting readers with nature by exploring Ontario’s natural areas and wildlife, and providing insight into environmental issues since 1932. A lot has changed since then, including the publication’s name. We are currently exploring articles dating back to the 1990’s when it was called Seasons. We are also digitizing back issues and posting them online for everyone to enjoy. If you don’t already subscribe to ON Nature, please consider doing so. It will be well worth your while! 

Fishhooks are Harming Turtles

Ontario’s turtles are in decline and they need all the help they can get. Each year, numerous turtles are accidently hooked by anglers, causing the animals injury and, sometimes, death. Snapping turtles are at the greatest risk, but any turtle species that lives in water where people fish can be hooked. The Canadian Herpetological Society has information on what anglers should do if they accidently hook a turtle. Help us keep Ontario’s turtles safe to ensure their long-term survival.

Events

• Kawartha Butterfly Count, Monday July 22 @ 10:00am; for more information contact Dan Bone or Susan Blayney at 705-887-4691.

• Swift Night Out, Tuesday evenings in June, July and August; for more information contact Phyllis Tremblay at 705-737-2580.

• Alan Wormington Young Birders Camp: Birds and Nature of Algonquin Park, August 17 to August 24; for more information visit the Ontario Field Ornithologists website.

• Louise De Kiriline Lawrence Nature Festival, Saturday August 17 @ 9:00am at the Laurier Woods Conservation Area in North Bay; for more information visit the Nipissing Naturalists website.

• Dragons and Damsels at Schmidt Lake, Saturday August 24 @ 9:00am; meet at the northern parking lot on Schmidt Lake Road; for more information or to register contact saugeenfieldnaturalists@yahoo.ca.
  
• Ecological Farming Tour at Monk Farm, Saturday September 14 @ 1:00pm; for more information or to register contact saugeenfieldnaturalists@yahoo.ca.

• Native Plant Sale, Sunday August 25 @ 11:00am in High Park in Toronto; for more information visit the High Park Nature website.

The next issue of the Nature Network News will be sent on August 15, 2019. The deadline for submissions is August 1, 2019. Submissions can be sent to naturenetwork@ontarionature.org. Please note that events can be listed up to two months in advance – allowing others to put it on their calendar well in advance.

Ontario Nature publishes the Ontario Nature Network News every month with contributions from its member groups and staff. Ontario Nature grants permission for use of the information above in member group newsletters. Please credit either Ontario Nature or the member group.