Celebrating Nature Canada’s Members and Partners

Brian Lipskie, President of Rae & Lipskie Partnership, addresses members at our recent member appreciation event.

Mark Dorfman, past Chairman and current member of the Nature Canada Board of Directors, hosted Nature Canada’s Member Appreciate event in Cambridge, Ontario this fall.  He recounts a day spent connecting with Nature Canada’s diverse members and supporters.

As the past Chairman of the Board of Directors and a local resident of the Waterloo region, it was my honour and delight to host Nature Canada’s Member Outreach and Appreciation event, held a few weeks ago at Langdon Hall in Cambridge, a beautiful spot so near to the Grand River watershed. With over 50 members from Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, Cambridge (and a few from as far as Hamilton and Brantford) attending the celebrations, it was an excellent turnout and capacity crowd. 

It was wonderful to welcome and meet the diversity of people who make up the Nature Canada community, from hikers, birders, botanists, to parents, teachers and professors. With so many naturalists in the room together, it showed me once again that there are people who recognize the beauty of nature, its importance, and who understand the need to protect it. It was also a joy to have the opportunity to re-connect with each other.

I spoke of my two favourite memories of the past year. I fondly remembered participating at the dedication ceremony for the Malcolm Bluffs Shore Nature Reserve, a stunning piece of the Bruce Peninsula now protected forever thanks to a bequest left by the late Hugo Germeraad, a Nature Canada member. Attending the Board of Director’s annual general meeting held at Oak Hammock Marsh, an Important Bird Area near Winnipeg, Manitoba was also a highlight for me.

I enjoyed introducing the participants to Ian Davidson (who himself is a graduate of the University of Guelph’s wildlife management course) who has been doing an excellent job of leading Nature Canada since he joined the organization over two years ago.  Ian spoke about the organization’s continued focus on protecting critical habitats and species through the lens of birds, highlighting key successes in our Important Bird Areas work and the numerous local volunteer Important Bird Area Caretakers who are fundamental to its success. Ian began his presentation by introducing the crowd to the cat “bib” which led to a lively discussion about the impact of outdoor cats on bird populations.

He also talked about Nature Canada’s efforts to engage children and youth with nature through the My Parks Pass program, run in partnership with Parks Canada. Given this is the 100th anniversary of our National Parks system, I believe it’s more important than ever for Nature Canada to be actively involved in encouraging the next generation to care as deeply about these magnificent places. 

Ian finished by thanking the members and donors of Nature Canada for their dedication and commitment to nature and its protection. Their personal engagement leads to positive action and our many successes.

Our  Member Outreach and Appreciation celebration was sponsored by our portfolio Investment Counsel, Rae & Lipskie who oversee our investments, including the Charles Labatiuk Nature Endowment Fund. Both Ken Rae and Brian Lipskie were in attendance and I thanked them for their continued partnership with our organization over the past decade and invited Brian to speak on behalf of the firm.  Brian outlined the ways their company is actively involved with the local community and thanked us for the opportunity to be involved with such a worthwhile charity.

In concluding the event, I made sure to thank our local partners in attendance such as Fraser Gibson, President of the Kitchener Waterloo Field Naturalists, and Mike Kelly, President of the Guelph Field Naturalists, for their support in our collective efforts. It can be said that the greatest threats to nature cannot be solved by any one organization. Conservation success comes thanks to our strength in numbers. 

I most enjoyed the opportunity to meet and thank each of the supporters in attendance (including Legacy donors, Nature Builders, Guardian of Nature monthly donors and annual members), letting them know that it is their loyal and dedicated support that has sustained Nature Canada year after year, for decades.  Our members are core to what we do, and the many successes we will achieve in the future.

A lively question and answer session ensued and many members stayed on longer to have the opportunity to chat with Ian, myself and staff.

Congratulations to the Winner of Canada's Ultimate Family Adventure!

Congratulations to Savannah from Holy Name School in Ontario whose name was selected from over 7,700 entries in our Grand Prize draw! Savannah and her family will be heading to Jasper National Park this summer for the ultimate family adventure.

Savannah and her family will travel in luxury aboard a VIA Rail train through the breathtaking scenery of Canada’s spectacular Rocky Mountains. Upon arriving at Jasper National Park, they will learn to camp and stay in a cottage tent for a good night’s sleep between four unique adventures including the Ice Explorer tour on the Athabasca Glacier, Miette Hot Springs, Palisades Stewardship Education Centre, and white water rafting. Savannah also wins a Parks Canada Discovery Pass so that her whole family can continue to discover the endless fun of Canada’s National Parks and National Historic Sites all year long.

We also drew winners for 4 secondary prizes. Each of the following students won a $1,000 VIA Rail voucher and a Parks Canada Discovery Pass for their families:

• Joline from Mount Carmel-Blytheswood School in Ontario


• Sydney from Maple Grove School in Nova Scotia


• Felix from Cambie Secondary School in British Columbia


• Salem from Warren Elementary School in Manitoba

Thanks to everyone who entered our Canada’s Ultimate Family Adventure contest! We hope you enjoy using your My Parks Pass this year.

And if you’d still like a chance to win prizes – just for you – make sure to share your My Parks Pass experiences through photos and stories in the My Ultimate Parks Pass Experience contest all summer long.

Celebrate Parks Day 2011 - Send an eCard!

This Saturday, July 16 is Parks Day in Canada, which celebrates our natural and historic places across the country. This year is particularly special - it marks Parks Canada's 100th birthday!


Share your love of Canada's national parks with friends and family - send a beautiful eCard featuring a selection of stunning photos of our natural spaces.

Do you have photos of national parks, historic sites or marine conservation areas? Share them on our Flickr Group and we will post a selection on our Facebook page and send a tweet at @NatureCanada.

And if you haven't already, check out our 10 tips to making the most of your trip to a national park, historic site of marine conservation area this summer.

Connect with Nature: Celebrate Parks Day with Free Entry for All

This photo was submitted by Maryn in the My Ultimate Parks Pass Experience contest.
See all the great photos in the photo gallery.

You already know that Nature Canada is a proud partner in the My Parks Pass program that gives grade 8 students free access to over 200 national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas for a full year. You also know that My Parks Pass holders can get a discount on a family/group pass when you visit. But did you know that everyone can visit any Parks Canada location for free on Parks Day 2011?

Parks Day is a national event celebrating Canada’s amazing natural and historic places from coast to coast to coast. It is held each year on the third Saturday of July – this year on July 16. Plus, since this year marks the centennial of Parks Canada the events at national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas will be bigger than ever. Find a location near you to start planning your trip today!

Can’t get away from the city? Celebrate Parks Canada’s 100th birthday in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver with free concerts and family activities on July 16. Paint the town green this summer and experience Canada’s parks in the heart of the city with this rare meeting between artists, culture and nature.

Bring your family, bring your friends and enjoy all that Canada has to offer on Parks Day!

Celebrate Canada's National Parks

Paddlers in the Bay of Fundy in Fundy National Park. Photo: Camille

This Saturday, July 16 is Parks Day in Canada - and there's a lot to celebrate this year!

2011 marks the 100th year of Parks Canada, the oldest national parks agency in the world. Over the past century, Parks Canada has worked to establish one of the most extensive and best-managed parks systems found on earth. As a result, national parks form part of the Canadian identity - we beam with pride at the natural beauty conserved within Canada's parks system.

Of course, there's always room for improvement. This Parks Day, ask the government to continue their great work in establishing a national parks system. Send a letter to Environment Minister Peter Kent asking him to create a national park in each of the 39 natural regions in Canada. You will be adding your voice to the call to continue the tradition of protecting pristine wilderness for current and future generations of Canadians.

This weekend, join us in celebrating Parks Canada's centennial by visiting a national park for FREE. On July 16, Parks Canada will be opening its doors free of charge.

Check out our 10 Things to Do in a Day to plan your trip. And if you or someone you know is a Grade 8 student, Parks Canada is giving away a free pass to visit a national park or national historic site any time this year! Go to MyParksPass.ca to get your pass.

When you get back from your trip, why not share your photos by adding them to the Nature Canada Flickr Pool - help everyone enjoy Canada's natural beauty!

Your Guide to Fun Summer Activities at Canada’s National Parks and Historic Sites

10 Things to Do in a Day

With summer holidays right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about how you can make the most of those long, hot summer days.

Here’s an idea: plan a trip to one of Canada’s 200 national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas. Plus, if you have a Grade 8 student in your life they can flash their My Parks Pass for an instant family or group discount.

Whether you need a pit-stop where you can cool off, take a swim and have lunch, or you have always dreamed of a family vacation where you can tune into nature or immerse yourself in our nation’s history, there’s an adventure waiting for you at Parks Canada’s network of natural and historic areas.

1. Grab a bite – With benches, washroom facilities and food concession stands, national parks and historic sites can be great places to stop for a snack and some fresh air. Walk along a trail and find a quieter, shaded area for a perfect afternoon picnic.


2. Hike a trail – You don’t need to be an ambitious hiker to enjoy the trails at most national parks. Take a walk along the coast, hike to a viewpoint, or find an interpretive trail where you’ll learn more about the people and animals that call this park home. Heading through Banff this summer? Make a stop at the new Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail and experience Canada's oldest national park the way the first visitors did – on foot!

La Mauricie National Park

3. Get out on the water – A relaxing and peaceful way to explore the rivers, lakes and coasts of Canada’s national parks is by boat. Canoeing, kayaking and rowboating are the best ways to enjoy the lakes at La Mauricie National Park. You can glide quietly, closely observing the natural world on and around the water.

4. Get snap-happy – You never know when the perfect photo opportunity will come along when you’re exploring national parks. Teeming with wildlife and spectacular vistas, national parks are a great place for amateur and professional photographers alike to capture iconic species and landmarks on film. The unique landscape of Waterton Lakes National Park, where the prairies meet the mountains, is home to many deer, elk and black bears. Grab your camera and start snapping!

Waterton Lakes National Park

5. Bring home a souvenir – Don’t know what to get your friend for their birthday? Souvenir stores at national parks and historic sites sell one-of-a-kind pieces of Canadiana that make great presents.

6. Enjoy a performance – During the summer, you can watch re-enactments of famous battles, military drills and everyday Victorian life at many national historic sites. If you’re visiting Montreal, why not discover Old Montreal's little known heritage jewel the Sir George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site in honour of our famous Father of Confederation?

Sir George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site

7. Take a step back in time – Ever wonder what life was really like just a few hundred years ago? Step right into 19th century life by dressing up in period costumes, becoming a Mountie for a day and sampling heritage recipes at places like Fort Walsh.

8. Get to know our feathered friends – Try to identify as many birds species as you can as you stroll along a trail or drive through a national park. At the southernmost point in Canada, Point Pelee National Park is also one of the most spectacular nature hotspots in North America. New to birding? Check out our beginners guide to bird watching.

Fathom Five National Marine Park

9. Explore an underwater world – Discover a world of vibrant marine life at Canada’s four national marine conservation areas. . Check for sea stars in tidal pools. Spy whales off the coast. And don’t forget to look up – you don’t want to miss seabirds flying to their nesting colonies. Want to take an even closer look? Explore shipwrecks as you snorkel or take the glass bottom boat at Fathom Five National Marine Park.

10. Tour the past – Let Parks Canada interpreters guide you through key moments of Canada’s history. Their wealth of knowledge brings the stories to life as you walk in the footsteps of some of our most famous Canadians. If you’re in the Maritimes this summer, don’t miss the Halifax Citadel – this attraction is so popular that it was voted the top wonder of Halifax!
Got More Time?

If you plan on staying for more than just one day, there are plenty of activities that will bring you closer to nature. Extend your day-hike to a multi-day hike, add an overnight stay at a campground, or spend another day practicing your surfing skills.

This year, with Parks Canada celebrating its 100th birthday, there are even more opportunities to build your adventure in our national parks and historic sites. Get the inside scoop on upcoming special events and learning opportunities throughout the summer – each month has an exciting theme that celebrates Parks Canada’s past and future.

Remember: if you have a My Parks Pass, use it all summer long for great discounts on entrance fees to all of Parks Canada’s locations. Know the past. Enjoy the present. Protect the future.

Connect with Nature: Celebrate Canada

Photo by the National Capital Commission
(via Flickr)

From coast to coast to coast, we are celebrating 144 years of being a nation. In many ways, we are defined by the landscape: tundra to the north, mountains in the west, rolling plains meeting up with the striking features of the Canadian Shield, to ocean-swept tidal beaches in the east. What better way to mark Canada Day than by getting outside and enjoying everything that nature has to offer?

Most communities offer outdoor festivities of one kind or another, so find out what’s going on in your neighbourhood and gather outside for a great birthday celebration. If you’d prefer something a bit quieter, take a walk and appreciate the natural spaces you can find, even in an urban landscape. Or choose to get away from it all with a backcountry camping trip.

Across the country, Parks Canada is opening their doors on July 1 with free admission to national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas. Plus, if you’re coming to Ottawa for the country’s biggest party, official activities will feature the centennial of Parks Canada, the oldest national parks service in the world.

Through forests, lakes, rivers and mountains, Canada was forged from the wilderness. Take the time to reconnect with nature as the best birthday gift you can give your country.

Happy Canada Day from the Nature Canada Team!

Gift to the Earth - Celebrating Parks Canada's 100th birthday with an eye to the future

Good afternoon, Folks!

I'd like to recap a fantastic week for protected areas in Canada last week. You'll recall that Parks Canada Agency marked its 100th anniversary last Thursday, the same day it received a prestigious “Gift to the Earth” award from WWF International. Way to go Parks Canada!

One hundred years ago to the day, May 19th 1911, the Dominion Parks Branch (now the Parks Canada Agency) was created following the establishment of Banff National Park in 1885. This was the first national parks service in the world (Yellowstone National Park in the US was the first actual national park of its kind created in 1872) and has in many ways set the standard for how governments approach conservation in the national interest the world over.

Nature Canada representatives attended a ceremony last Thursday to commemorate this important historic milestone, at which Parks Canada proudly highlighted its progress on protecting representative examples of Canada’s 39 natural regions on land and 29 marine natural regions on water. You can read more about that progress, as well as forthcoming parks and marine conservation areas here. You can read more about specific conservation achievements here.

But Parks Canada and conservation organizations weren't just celebrating a 100th birthday and a major award last Thursday: the Agency also announced the remarkable expansion of Grasslands National Park through the addition of 110 square kilometers of native mixed prairie grassland on the park's existing West Block!

Grasslands are one of the most threatened ecosystems in North America and the world and, as Canada's only national park in the Prairie Grasslands natural region, Grasslands National Park is home to several nationally-listed species at risk. Nature Canada and other organizations are working to safeguard Canada's remaining grasslands in the Prairies region and British Columbia's dry southern interior. (In fact, you can help us better protect a National Wildlife Area in Canada's Prairie region by taking action here.)

You can celebrate Parks Canada's Centennial and its ongoing work to conserve Canada's epic wild spaces all year long with monthly themes focused on Canada's natural and cultural heritage.

Nature Canada celebrates all of Parks Canada's conservation achievements and seconds WWF International’s choice for the Gift to the Earth award. Alongside other organizations, we have worked hard to support and advocate for the establishment of national parks across Canada to protect our wildlife and their habitats. And we’re poised for more exciting announcements by Parks Canada about further progress toward completing Canada’s national park/ marine conservation areas system. With parks and marine conservation areas currently in progress, Parks Canada is set to expand the national park/marine conservation area system by an additional 28% beyond its existing size – to over 410,000 square kilometers.

One of the sites Nature Canada and other groups are working hard to establish is the proposed South Okanagan-Similkameen National Park Reserve in British Columbia’s southern dry interior. That region is Canada’s “pocket desert” and is a truly unique ecological region that we need to protect before it’s too late. CBC recently did a piece on the issues surrounding that park proposal on The National television broadcast, which you can watch here.

Here's to another great year for national parks, national marine conservation areas and other protected areas in Canada! And don't forget to remind your newly elected Members of Parliament how you would like them to protect these and other 'naturally breathtaking' spaces.

Photos:
Daybreak at La Mauricie National Park of Canada, Québec (A. MacDonald)
Paddler's bliss in Kejimkujik National Park & National Historic Site, Nova Scotia (A. MacDonald)

Parks Canada Celebrates 100th birthday!

Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park, B.C.

Today marks the 100th birthday of the establishment of Parks Canada, the world’s first national park service. Our country is known for many things, but perhaps it’s our natural treasures – the lakes, forests, and mountains national parks were created to protect – that people the world over admire.

Parks Canada has planned a series of events throughout this Centennial year to celebrate our parks and historic sites, and to encourage people to fall in love with nature by visiting these special places. Some of us here at Nature Canada took part in one event just last week, to kick off the My Parks Pass program – a joint initiative between Nature Canada, Parks Canada and the Historica-Dominion Institute to distribute free family passes to Grade 8/Secondary 2 students across the country. This project is an important part of our work to help connect people to nature at an early age. (How many of us, as adults, can trace our love for nature to a childhood experience – or many – that instilled in us a lifelong affection for the natural world?)

This Centennial comes at a time when “a great tide of Canadians are embracing camping in growing numbers, many for the first time,” according to the Toronto Star:

According to an Angus Reid survey commissioned by Canadian Tire and Coleman Canada, at least 46 per cent of Canadians now take camping trips as part of their summer vacations. And even though it’s still early in the season, “camping reservations at Parks Canada [campgrounds] are up 14 per cent over the same period last year and 24 per cent compared to the five-year average,” says the federal agency’s Natalie Fay.

This is good news. Yes, it's true, the perennial challenge is balancing efforts to increase visitorship with the national parks system’s primary goal, the protection of biodiversity. Parks exist for people to enjoy the outdoors, and they exist to preserve wildlife. Nevertheless, encouraging visitors to experience our national parks is a great way to reconnect people with nature; in doing so, Canadians will be more apt to support nature conservation generally.
Other than My Parks Pass, some of Parks Canada’s upcoming events are:

• A centennial celebration in Toronto on May 21, featuring a Parks Canada-themed Blue Jays game, evening camp-out in Rogers Centre, street fair and free outdoor concert.

• On Canada Day (July 1) and Parks Day (July 16), Parks Canada will offer visitors the chance to enter its places across the country for free.

• Also on Parks Day, a free concert series will gather Canadian artists in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

• Operation Unplugged, a joint broadcast and web venture that will provide opportunities for eight urban youth to trade their "techno-dependent" lifestyles for a summer "unplugged" in Canada’s national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas where they will compete in challenges under the guidance of a host and Parks Canada staff

• New HD documentaries, including The National Parks Project on Discovery Canada, season two of A Park for All Seasons on Oasis HD and the pilot of a new series on national historic sites on Treasure HD, offering Canadians behind the scenes visits like never before.

• Unveiling of a coin with the Royal Canadian Mint and the launch of a commemorative postage stamp with Canada Post.

• Special “learn to camp” programs across the country and brand new accommodations offerings in national parks.

Over the years, we've been close partners with the people at the Parks Canada Agency, engaging in the complex process of establishing new national parks, or fostering public understanding and appreciation of Canada's natural heritage. Here's to 100 years of celebrating and protecting nature -- and to another century of nature conservation.

Know the past. Enjoy the present. Protect the future.

What's the link between a fort, a huge rock, an old guy, a tepee and a bison? Check out the My Parks Pass video and find out:

If you're a Grade 8/Secondary 2 student, you'll get your My Parks Pass from your teacher so that you can visit over 200 Parks Canada destinations for a full year - for free.

It doesn't matter if you're into camping, skiing, paddling, exploring or if you just want to discover more about Canada's past at your own pace; My Parks Pass has something for everyone. With more than 200 destinations across the country, there's an adventure closer than you think!

Nature Canada attends reception for 'Thaidene Nene - the Land of the Ancestors'

Yesterday evening Nature Canada staff had the pleasure of attending a reception for a new national park proposed in the Northwest Territories. The proposed park, called Thaidene Nene and formerly known by the moniker East Arm of Great Slave Lake, covers approximately 33,000 square-kilometres and has been a topic of discussion - and a source of controversy - between the Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation and Parks Canada for almost 40 years.

The Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation and Parks Canada have "recently initiated a dialogue to jointly protect lands and waters" of Thaidene Nene, the "Land of the Ancestors." A framework agreement for this dialogue was signed in April of this year, committing the Government of Canada and the Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation to work as partners toward a Thaidene Nene Establishment Agreement. With a projected two-year timeline on formal discussions (began in September), boundary studies and negotiations, this Establishment Agreement will lay the groundwork for Parliament to officially decide on a national park designation.

The goal of last evening's reception was simply to "introduce and explain this great Canadian landscape" to various audiences here in Ottawa. Representatives from the NGO sector, the mining sector and various federal government departments were invited to the event, which was hosted by the Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation and Member of Parliament for Western Arctic, Dennis Bevington.

We were grateful for this opportunity to hear about the cultural, ecological and spiritual significance of Thaidene Nene directly from Lutsel K'e Dene Elders and community members. Each presenter spoke of the need to protect Tsan’kui Theda, the Lady behind of the waterfall, and the lands around her to ensure that the land would always be there to provide for the people, just like it always has. Lutsel K'e Dene Councillor Terri Enzoe, who spoke at the event, shared that "[o]ur elders and the leadership have long maintained that we have a responsibility to protect Thaidene Nene to ensure that our way of life can persist into the future. Given the progress we have made over the past year, we hope that this dream can soon become a reality, and that all Canadians can be inspired by this great place."

You can read more about Thaidene Nene in presentations by Steven Ellis of the Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation and in research led by geographer Nathan Bennett. Also, stay tuned to Nature Canada's blog and our e-newsletter to learn more about how you can participate in public consultations around the creation of this new national park.



Photo 1: Larry Innes, Executive Director of the Canadian Boreal Initiative, at the 2007 NWT land withdrawal ceremony, which focused on withdrawals for both proposed Thaidene Nene National Park and the proposed Ramparts River and Wetlands National Wildlife Area.

Photo 2: Wolverine, one of Canada's intrepid northern mammals that calls Thaidene Nene home.

Black-footed Ferret is Making a Comeback

Photo by Brian Gratwick

The Black-footed ferret should not be confused with its close relative the domesticated ferret. Contrary to the domesticated ferret which originates from Europe, the black-footed ferret is native to North America; in fact, it is the only indigenous species to North America.

The domestic ferret as the name would imply is widely kept as a pet and varies in color from white to nearly black usually with a dark mask and tail. The Black-footed ferret has dull yellow fur that is slightly darker on the back.

The degradation of the ferret’s home, the prairie grassland, significant decline of prairie dog populations (the ferret source of food), and disease have all led to the near-extinction of the species. This mid-sized member of the weasel family once found in almost every prairie dog colony across the length and breadth of the North American plains, from the Rio Grande north to the Frenchman Valley, was extirpated from Canada in 1937 and globally extinct in the wild by the late 1970s. It was officially listed under the Canadian Species at Risk Act in May 2000 and classified as endangered in the U.S. as of 1967. For a long time it was believed that the species was extinct until 1981 where a small group of about 130 ferrets were discovered near Meeteetse, Wyoming. At that time, these last known ferrets were probably the rarest mammals on earth. In 1985, these same ferrets were taken into captivity to be bred at various facilities across North America with the intention of being reintroduced into the wild.

Today, after being erased from the Canadian prairie over seven decades ago and after dwindling to a whisker of extinction, the black-footed ferret has made its comeback. "In the early hours of July 14, a playful litter of kits was observed," announced Federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice. "The black-footed ferret mother and her three kits appeared healthy and engaged in honing their survival instincts."

On October 2, 2009, a population of 34 black-footed ferrets were released into Grasslands National Park in southern Saskatchewan; of those 34 at least 12 survived the winter. Here is a link to footage of the first black-footed ferret kits born in the Canadian wild. In the coming months you will also have the opportunity to take in this exciting new discovery through the documentary Nature of Things with David Suzuki.

How will you connect to nature this Parks Day?

Do you remember your first experience of true wilderness? The first time you really grasped the panoplies of form, function and wonder that embody E.O. Wilson's now ubiquitous term "biodiversity"?

The first time you felt a connection to nature?

The first time you heard nothing but nature's chorus all around you?

There's something very special in each of these experiences. Something sublime. Maybe a sense that you were in just the right place at just the right time, and that you experienced something truly unique. But how do you get to that place at just that time?

I was lucky during my youth and grew up with an expansive wilderness literally in my backyard. I recall experiencing new aspects of nature on a regular basis, connecting to nature, exploring nature from dawn to dusk. But mine is not everyone's experience. Despite Canada being a 'wilderness nation', most of our population resides in urban areas.

So if you're one of the roughly 27 million Canadians living in an urban area, how do you connect to nature? First, you find the right place. Second, you find the right time. Nature Canada's suggestions?

Where: Canada's national parks, national marine conservation areas or any other protected natural area in your province or territory.

When: Canada's Parks Day, Saturday July 17th, 2010.

Canada's parks and other protected areas are an ever-expanding showcase of this country's natural splendour from sea to sea to sea. And they're yours to enjoy whenever you want to connect to nature! But given where you live and the fact that parks tend to be wild, you'll probably have to travel. Ah, but road-trips are always fun - why not create a nature-themed playlist for the drive! Parks Day is our chance to celebrate parks and other protected areas every year, and it helps us remember why conserving and connecting to nature is so vital.

Canada's national parks system, as one example of a protected areas network, aims to protect a representative portion of each of 39 terrestrial natural regions across the country. The national parks system is complemented by the federal marine protected areas strategy, which aims to protect a portion of each of 29 marine natural regions in Canada's territorial waters. So you've got a great chance to see for yourself some representative examples¹ of Canada's wild species, their habitats and the broader land- or seascapes that support them - protected forever.

Ideally, parks and other protected areas should be large enough to protect a full suite of ecosystem processes, such as water and nutrient cycling. Areas should be well-connected across land- and seascapes, encompassing multiple ecosystem types and adequate habitat for populations of wide-ranging species - especially those requiring several ecosystem types throughout their life cycles. A recent report by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society looks at how well Canada's existing protected areas meet these and other conservation objectives.

In addition to protecting wildlife and ecosystem processes, parks and other protected areas provide good baselines against which scientists can assess the impacts of human activities and other disturbances on non-protected landscapes over time. In fact, my own M.Sc. (Biology) research used this approach.

I've had some of my most memorable natural experiences in Canada's parks and protected areas: witnessing Common Loons and Red-breasted Mergansers drift silently across the lakes of Kejimkujik National Park & National Historic Site in Nova Scotia; standing mere feet away from an adult bull moose in Ontario's Algonquin Provincial Park; observing the eerie yet peaceful silence of the Rockies in winter at Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta. I hope for more experiences like these as I continue to visit protected areas with my family over time.

What memorable natural experiences have you had in parks or other protected areas? Comment below or connect to our Nature Explorers on-line community to share your experience with others.

Don't forget that Parks Day 2010 is also a celebration of Banff National Park's 125th anniversary and the International Year of Biodiversity. Make 2010 your personal year of biodiversity. Give yourself a biodiversity challenge or take our biodiversity pledge. Why not learn ten new things about nature in your region and share what you know with ten other people? Or participate in an outdoor expedition this summer, such as a bird watching trip, to connect with nature? And why not do these things in a park or other protected area...?

Happy Parks Day 2010!
-Alex

Photo 1: La Mauricie National Park, Québec (A. MacDonald)
Photo 2: White-tailed deer, Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia (A. MacDonald)
Figure 1: Map of Canada's parks and other protected areas (Data from the Atlas of Canada and the World Database on Protected Areas)


¹National Parks have been officially established in over 70% of the terrestrial natural regions to date, with new parks in the planning stages in all but 5 of the remaining regions. Progress on national marine conservation areas is improving over time, notably with the recent addition of the Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and we look forward to several other marine natural regions receiving official protection soon.

So that's how federal protected areas designations work... Update on Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve

I published a post a couple of days ago suggesting that the formal designation of the Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) Reserve in Haida Gwaii was a fait accompli. Well, that's not exactly how these sorts of things work.

My earlier Gwaii Haanas post mentioned that in order to make the NMCA Reserve designation official, Environment Minister Jim Prentice had to table an amendment to Schedule 2 of the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act in both Houses of Parliament - to be reviewed by their respective committees responsible for protected areas designations. According to the Act, the committees have 31 sitting days to review and collect evidence on the amendment (called an Order in Council) and decide whether or not to reject it. This is largely a formality to ensure that new protected areas are not squeezed into law without oversight, and is parliamentary process nonetheless.

Minister Prentice tabled the amendment on Monday, June 7th, at which time it was passed along to the House Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development and the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources. The Senate committee did "not disapprove" Prentice's Order in Council on June 8th, but it took the House committee until yesterday afternoon to arrive at a similar decision. The House committee heard testimony from several of Parks Canada's senior executive staffers before it decided to waive the 31 day review period and allow the Gwaii Haanas NMCA Reserve to be added to Schedule 2 of the Act without delay. Excellent news!!

But here's the best part: Nature Canada staffers were on an elevator with Parks Canada's senior executives when they heard the news about the committee's decision!! Just as news of the committee's decision broke, myself, Ahmed Zedan and Kim Pham-Huy were crammed into an elevator in Parliament's West Block just after the committee went in camera, alongside Parks Canada CEO, Alan Latourelle; Director General of the National Parks Directorate, Ron Hallman; Director of Park Establishment, Kevin McNamee; and Senior Counsel of Legal Services, Louise Bourbonnière, as well as senior staff from CPAWS and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. We all heard that the Gwaii Haanas NMCA Reserve was official via Alan Latourelle's Blackberry - quite a coincidence!

So there you have it - a bit more insight into what exactly has to happen to formally designate a federal protected area. And a funny coincidence that we heard the great news where and with whom we did! Congrats to the Haida Nation, CPAWS, CPAWS BC, Parks Canada and other organizations for the many years of hard work they put into getting this protected area established!

South Okanagan-Similkameen wants a National Park!

A recent public opinion study carried out by McAllister Opinion Research (based in Vancouver) regarding the proposed South Okanagan-Similkameen National Park Reserve (SOS) has voiced the region’s desire for its establishment. The telephone survey between May 26 and May 31, 2010 interviewed 405 randomly selected adults aged 18+.

Here are the major findings of the survey:

- 95% said it was important to protect the natural ecosystem, plant and wildlife species in the South Okanagan in order to maintain their quality of life

- 63% were in favour of protecting a portion of South Okanagan-Similkameen in a National Park

- 17% were concerned about the environment and conservation issues

There have been, however, some concerns over the establishment of the SOS National Park Reserve, mainly coming from ranchers who are afraid their grazing tenures would be forfeited and First Nations who voiced their opposition due to their exclusion from park consultations done by the government. "Parks Canada has been focused on refining the draft park proposal to respond to concerns raised by First Nations, the ranching community, and other stakeholders", says Debbie Clarke, Parks Canada’s project manager for the feasibility study. She adds, “From Parks Canada’s perspective, therewould be tremendous opportunity to work together to develop and manage a national park reserve that integrates traditional knowledge and indigenous perspectives with science-informed management”.

We hope this park will be established in the near future as it becomes obvious that all are in favor! Write a letter in support of making South Okanagan-Similkameen Valleys in southern British Columbia a National Park Reserve.

Photos: Okanagan Vaseux Lake by GwenBarlee and Big Horn Sheep by Larry Halverson

Gwaii Haanas - Canada's first National Marine Conservation Area Reserve!

With an announcement on the eve of World Oceans Day, federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice officially protected 5000 km2 of Haida Gwaii's stunning marine and terrestrial wilderness areas. The newly designated Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) Reserve and Haida Heritage Site complements its terrestrial counterpart, Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, in protecting the "Galapagos of the North" from the depths of the sea - off of the continental shelf - to the rugged mountaintops that accentuate this other-worldly landscape. Haida Gwaii was formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, located off the British Columbia coast.

Perhaps even more exciting, this designation marks the very first time that an NMCA has been designated under the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act. Under the Act, an Order to amend Schedule 2 - where the NMCA Reserves are officially listed - has to be tabled in both Houses of Parliament and approved by the Governor in Council before the designation is final; Prentice presented this Order on Monday. Parks Canada's existing marine conservation areas, Fathom Five National Marine Park and the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park, were established using different legal mechanisms. Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area, the first NMCA announced after the Act's passing, is still in the planning stages.

Monday's announcement follows a January 2010 Gwaii Haanas Marine Agreement between Parks Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Haida Nation "to share in the planning, operations and management of the marine conservation area, including fisheries".

The combined Haida Heritage Site, NMCA Reserve and National Park Reserve also provide permanent protection for 5 coastal Important Bird Areas in Haida Gwaii - excellent news!

For more information, read Parks Canada's backgrounder on this historic announcement, many years in the making, and check out Canada's official NMCA website.

On a related note, yesterday Fisheries and Oceans Minister Gail Shea announced a new Area of Interest for a future Marine Protected Area in the same region as the new NMCA Reserve, as well as another Area of Interest in the Laurentian Channel between Newfoundland and Cape Breton Island.

What a way to celebrate World Oceans Day! Let's not forget about other long-outstanding marine and terrestrial protected areas commitments across Canada, though...

Wee Wilderness Warblings - Summer update on Canada's new national parks and protected areas

As spring rapidly passes into summer, many of us are starting to think about camping trips, hiking, canoeing, and a whole host of other great, self-propelled outdoor activities. And what obvious 'playground' do many of us - especially city-dwellers - consider for these activities? Well, National Parks and other protected areas, of course!

So, I thought I'd write a wee, warbling update on what's been happening lately with respect to protecting Canada's amazing wild spaces. You can use this for 'wilderness inpiration' as you're planning your outdoor adventures for the coming summer. And if you're planning to visit Wood Buffalo National Park, watch out for the world's largest beaver dam!

Since December promising progress has been made on some new national parks (NPs) and national marine conservation areas (NMCAs), as well as progress on some 'older' new initiatives, too. Here's a rough timeline of selected wilderness conservation highlights over the past few months:

December 2009:

• Minister Prentice announces launch of Feasibility Study for the proposed Lancaster Sound NMCA in Canada's arctic. In early April fears arise that a Geological Survey of Canada plan for a 'seismic seabed survey' for oil & gas deposits will derail the NMCA proposal and negate the $5 million investment for Parks Canada's Feasibility Study. This is not the case and the survey may actually accelerate the Feasibility Study.
  

January 2010:

• Canada celebrates the 125th anniversary of National Parks in the country.
  
• Minister Prentice signs MOU with Nova Scotia to work toward NP or National Wildlife Area designation for Sable Island.
• Parks Canada issues a request for proposals "to identify representative marine areas" in the Bay of Fundy Marine Region, which may lead to an NMCA proposal being developed for the area.
• Minister Prentice announces launch of public consultations around 3 boundary options for proposed Nááts´ihch´oh NP Reserve in NWT, which will protect the headwaters of the South Nahanni River. Did you comment on the boundary options? This will be the final step in protecting the Greater Nahanni Ecosystem forever!
• Government of Canada and the Council of The Haida Nation sign the Gwaii Haanas Marine Agreement, moving toward establishment of the proposed Gwaii Haanas NMCA Reserve.
  

February 2010:

• Government of Canada signs MOU with Newfoundland & Labrador to explore boundary options for proposed Mealy Mountains NP Reserve in Labrador.

March 2010:

• Minister Prentice suggests that Parks Canada deserves a Gold Medal in conservation achievements. Let us know if you agree by taking part in our related Twitter poll.
• A "national conservation plan" is vaguely cited in the Speech from the Throne...
• No direct mention of $$ for new parks establishment in Budget 2010.
  

April 2010:

• Parks Canada, Nature Canada and the Historica-Dominion Institute jointly announce the 'My Parks Pass' program aimed at getting all Canadian 8th graders into our NPs, NMCAs and National Historic Sites.
• Minister Prentice announces negotiations with Qikiqtani Inuit Association of an Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement, a key step forward in establishing the proposed Northern Bathurst Island NP Reserve, a process that has been underway since before 1996!
• Government of Canada signs Framework Agreement with Łutsel K’e Dene First Nation, moving toward park establishment agreement for the propose Thaidene Nene NP Reserve in NWT, formerly known as "East Arm of Great Slave Lake".

May 2010

• No new NP- or NMCA-related announcements yet, but we're looking forward to Ministerial announcements on any of the following areas (or others):

1. Proposed permanent protection for Sable Island (Nova Scotia)
   
2. The proposed South Okanagan-Similkameen NP (British Columbia)
   
3. The South Coast Fjords NMCA area of interest (Newfoundland & Labrador)
4. The proposed Southern Strait of Georgia NMCA (British Columbia)
5. The proposed îles de la Madeleine NMCA (Québec)
6. The Manitoba Lowlands NP area of interest (Manitoba)
7. The Wolf Lake (Gooch Aa) NP Reserve area of interest (Yukon)

Keep an eye on Nature Canada's website, our blog and my Twitter page to find out more about new protected areas across Canada.

Enjoy your wilderness adventures this summer!