Connect with Nature: Enjoy a Winter Activity

Photo by Brian Lockwood

Whether we like it or not, winter weather has arrived! Snow and sub zero temperatures have ushered in a brand new season of fun outdoor activities, not to mention some stunning winter landscapes. Here are a few of the outdoor activities you can look forward to enjoying over the next few months:

1) Outdoor skating: In Canada, we’re lucky to be home to some of the best outdoor skating rinks in the world, like the Rideau Canal and Riviere L’Assomption. Many municipalities maintain outdoor rinks that are free and fun to enjoy. Don’t have your skates of your own? Lots of outdoor rinks will rent skates for a small fee. Make sure to bring some extra change so you can buy yourself a hot chocolate once you get off the ice!

2) Snow shoeing or Cross-Country Skiing: Many of our most beautiful parks transform their walking trails into cross country ski or snow shoe trails during the winter months. These activities are a great way to explore the wilderness and enjoy some outdoor exercise. Before you head out, make sure to check the weather forecast and pack some water and snacks to help sustain you on your journey. If you're keen to try either activity but don’t have equipment of your own, check with your local outdoor outfitter to see if they have equipment available to rent. 

Yurt Photo by Tom Kelly

3) Sleeping in a yurt: A yurt is a semi-permanent tent-like structure traditionally used by nomads in Central Asia. Many parks including Algonquin Park, Fundy National Park and Gatineau Park rent modern yurts that blend the comforts of home with the adventure of sleeping in a natural setting. While they are classified as a tent, yurts are much stronger and offer better shelter from the weather, which makes them the perfect for winter camping.

4) Nature walk: This is a great way to observe the natural signs of winter. Bundle up and explore your favorite walking trail to see how it’s changed since you last visited. Keep an eye out for animal tracks in the snow and bring along a field guide to help you identify any species you encounter along the way. It’s not too late to enter our Hug-a-Tree contest, so why not bring along your camera and take a winter-themed photo for your opportunity to win an iPad?

5) Snow activities: Never underestimate how fun it can be to play in the freshly fallen snow. Whether it be sledding, building a snowman or making a snow angel, there are lots of creative ways to have fun outdoors this winter. Just make sure to wear warm clothes and beware of rocks and ice. Have fun!

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.

Minister Peter Kent joins My Parks Pass in launching Canada’s Coolest School Trip contest

This morning in Toronto, Canadian Environment Minister Peter Kent joined Grade 8 students from École Secondaire Étienne Brulé and Gordon A. Brown Middle School to kick off “Canada’s Coolest School Trip”, the newest contest for the My Parks Pass program.

The contest, run in partnership between My Parks Pass, Brewster Travel Canada, and Banff Lake Louise Tourism, with the support of Air Canada, challenges Grade 8/secondary 2 classes to re-create a significant moment related to a Canadian national park, national historic site or national marine conservation area. This could mean recreating the moments leading up to Confederation at Sir George-Etienne Cartier National Historic Site, reliving the sinking of the W. L. Wetmore at Fathom Five National Marine Conservation Area or even joining in the Yukon gold rush at Dawson Historical Complex.

The My Parks Pass program works to connect Grade 8/secondary 2 students across the country with Canada’s national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas. Nature Canada is pleased to be partner in the My Parks Pass program and share in the opportunity to engage Canadian youth in our natural and cultural heritage. “Few countries have been as profoundly shaped by nature as Canada,” said Ian Davidson, Executive Director of Nature Canada. “Canada’s parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas provide a vital link to our shared history and culture, and it’s important our youth have the chance to experience them.”

Stay tuned! Starting January 9th, we’ll be calling on the public to vote for their favorite video on the My Parks Pass website. The winning Grade 8/secondary 2 class will win a trip to Banff National Park for 4 days of fun. This is as cool as it gets.

Connect with Nature: Take a Fall Hike

This is a great time to take a hike in nature. The summer crowds are gone, the scenery is stunning and there are still a few weeks before you have to break out your winter jacket. Here are a few ways to make the most of your trek through the freshly fallen leaves.

1) Bird watching: There is lots of bird watching to be done as our feathered friends head south for the winter. Before you head out on your hike, visit allaboutbirds.org to read up on bird watching techniques. Pack a nature guide to help identify different species and take a journal to record your findings.

2) Join a guided nature walk: Many communities across Canada have clubs that engage local experts to lead public hikes. This is a great way to meet fellow nature lovers and learn more about the natural geography of your area. Keep an eye on local publications or perform a quick internet search to find a guided hike in your area.

3) Bring your camera: There are few times of the year when nature is more beautiful than it is now. Pack your camera and capture some of the beautiful fall scenery you encounter along the way. While you’re at it, why not take a photo for our Hug-a-Tree photo contest or Flickr pool? Your photos are sure to bring back happy memories during the long winter.

4) Take a snack (or two): Before you head out, prepare some nutritious snacks that will keep you fueled along the way. Cheese and crackers, apple slices and trail mix are a few easy-to-pack snacks that offer valuable nutrients for your hike. For a more seasonal treat, save the seeds from the inside of your pumpkin and roast them the night before you head out.

5) Do a leaf rubbing: Want to create a souvenir of your adventure? Bring a large hardbound book and a roll of wax or parchment paper. Collect a few leaves of different shapes and sizes, press them between two sheets of paper and tuck them in the book to keep them safe. When you get home, place the leaves between two pieces of white paper, rub with a crayon and you’re done!

As always, don’t forget to dress appropriately, stay on trail and share your itinerary with a family member or friend before heading out. Happy trails!

Photo by Macomb Paynes

Sable Island is Canada's Newest National Park

Endangered Roseate Terns nest and migrate through Sable Island.

We're celebrating today's announcement of a new national park reserve on Sable Island!

Sable Island is a windswept, crescent-shaped island about about 300 kilometres southeast of Nova Scotia and its sensitive coastal landscape is a haven for migrating and nesting birds.

A national park designation signals vastly improved protection of Sable Island's fragile ecosystems and presents a renewed mandate for research and monitoring at the site. It also fulfills a January 2010 federal-provincial promise to increase protection of this remote island.

Sable Island is a globally important bird habitat that is home to the at-risk Ipswich Sparrow, the endangered Roseate Tern and many other bird species during the breeding season and the spring and fall migrations. The island is recognized as a globally and nationally significant Important Bird Area (IBA) through BirdLife International's Important Bird Areas Program, under which Nature Canada and Bird Studies Canada are co-partners responsible for overseeing IBAs in Canada.

A national park here will provide the type of permanent habitat protection we hope to see for all of Canada's IBAs. However, visitor numbers will need to be strictly limited inside Sable Island National Park to maintain the Island's sensitive sand dune systems. Recreation, tourism and declining habitat quality have been identified as key concerns for the island through our Important Bird Areas program

In recommendations submitted to Parks Canada in 2010, we advised that the national park predominantly be zoned a "wilderness area" with visitor numbers strictly controlled over time. Visitor limits will ultimately be established in the park’s management plan, which has yet to be finalized.

We were also pleased by the announcement that Nova Scotia and Ottawa will table legislation to prohibit oil and gas drilling from the surface of Sable Island and out to one nautical mile from shore. Nature Canada had also recommended that Parks Canada prevent development of any subsurface resources, like oil and gas, on Sable Island, as it typically does in National Parks and National Marine Conservation Areas.


The legislated prohibition on oil and gas development on the island's surface and immediately offshore is a very positive move. It’s also encouraging to note that the government plans to work with industry to amend significant discovery licenses to strengthen prohibitions on drilling.

Connect with Nature: Enjoy Fall Colours

Summer may be drawing to a close, but there’s still a lot of fun to be had in the great outdoors. Beginning in September, a steady autumn wave makes its way across the country, transforming local leaves into vibrant colours of red, yellow and orange. This creates a spectacular backdrop for an adventure in nature!

There are lots of ways to soak up the fall colours. Head out to a local park for a hike or a bike ride and bring your camera along so you can take a snapshot of your picturesque surroundings. If you’ve got time, make an afternoon of it by packing a fall picnic to enjoy among the foliage.

In Canada we’re lucky to be home to some of the best places in the world to view fall foliage, so consider visiting a new natural area to take in the autumn scenery. Fundy National Park in New Brunswick, Parc national du Mont-Tremblant in Quebec and Jasper National Park in Alberta are just a few of locations in Canada that are world-famous for their fall colours. The timing of the change in colour depends on a number of variables so check regional foliage reports for the best time to experience the foliage in your area. Make sure to bring your binoculars and keep an eye out for birds on their fall migration.

Can't make it to a park? Take a stroll through your neighborhood to see how your local trees have changed with the colder weather.

No matter where you choose to view the foliage, take advantage of this colourful time to enjoy nature and all it has to offer.

Photo credit Mark Round

Fun Fall Activities in Canada’s National Parks and Historic Sites

With fall just around the corner, there are plenty of ways to continue exploring the nearly 200 national parks and historic sites across the country. Not sure where to start? We have compiled a list of 5 easy, family-friendly activities that will help you make the most of your fall visit.  Plus, if your son or daughter received their My Parks Pass in the spring, they can flash it for an instant family or group discount!

1.    Camp in Luxury - Fall is the perfect time to rediscover the joys of camping with an all-inclusive camping experience offered at Georgian Bay Islands National Park. Running throughout September and into October, this unique experience has all the camping essentials set up and waiting for you upon your arrival. Learn more and reserve your spot here.

2.    Hike the Highlands - If you are on the east coast of Canada, why not join the Hike the Highlands Festival at Cape Breton Highlands National Park? This annual September festival features 24 hikes, and workshops on everything from nature photography to Nordic poling.

3.    Green A Beach - Roll up your sleeves and do some green good by volunteering with a clean-up team at Pacific Rim National Park. These teams cover the park’s pristine beaches and trails, pulling invasive plants and gathering debris during the month of September.

4.    Enjoy a Candlelit Tour – Take a glimpse into the lives of two great Canadians – Sir Wilfred Laurier and William Lyon Mackenzie King – with a candlelit tour of Laurier House National Historic Site.

5.    Celebrate Yoho National Park’s 125th Birthday – Join the festivities on October 10 set to mark an important milestone for this iconic park in Field, B.C., where Parks Canada’s award-winning theatre troupe Mountain WIT will be entertaining guests with music and character performances.

National park field staff are usually on-site through September, so take advantage of the cooler weather to go on a guided hike or experience an interpretive program. Many national parks also offer self-guided activities such as bird watching, wildlife viewing and photo opportunities in all seasons.

Remember: if you have a My Parks Pass, use it all year long for great discounts on entrance fees to all of Parks Canada’s locations. My Parks Pass will also be launching its fall contest promotion in September, so stay tuned for more ways to win cool prizes! Know the past. Enjoy the present. Protect the future. 

An Arctic Experience to the "Place of Spirits" with Students on Ice

Students on Ice participants in Torngat National Park

What happens when you place 65 young people from all walks of life, 45 teachers, mentors, musicians and coaches on a floating classroom on the rugged coast of Labrador and Nunavut? You get a recipe for life shaping experiences. It was into this mixture that I was invited by Geoff Green, Executive Director of Students on Ice, to experience the Students on Ice (SOI) initiative – an international effort that aims to provide students from around the world with inspiring educational opportunities at the ends of the Earth and, in doing so, help them foster a new understanding and respect for the planet.

I intercepted the Students on Ice in the Torngat National Park on August 3rd, 10 days after they had set sail from Iceland. Our Twin Otter plane made a flyover of the bay, banked, then dipped and made its way onto a nearby runaway in hot pursuit of a lone Caribou which had taken refuge at the beginning of the tarmac. Within an hour of our landing, we joined the Students on Ice participants and made our way to the Torngat National Park base camp at Kangidluasuk – an orderly alignment of some 30 large canvass tents and a research trailer on a quiet beach overlooking the steely blue bay and glacier scarred landscape. The base camp was established by Parks Canada under the jurisdiction of the Nunatsiavut Government and its management is in the process of being transferred to the local Inuit representatives. At the base camp, we shared a wonderful dinner on the beach with the Inuit elders from the area who recounted stories of their time on this land. Many of the participants from Students on Ice were selected from Inuit communities across Canada’s north and it was beautiful to watch as, together with the Elders, they shared their rich culture with other youth from southern Canada, the US, Europe and Asia.

Over the next 3 days we nimbly made our way northward and as we did, we poked the ship into several breathtaking fiords that reach westward, penetrating deep into the Park. Nature Canada worked for several years with Parks Canada, and the people of Labrador to establish Torngat National Park in 2005. It’s one of Canada’s most remote National Parks occupying some 10,000 square km and extending nearly 1,000 km from Nain to the northern most tip of Labrador. The Park protects one of eastern North America’s greatest mountain ranges and its wildlife, including large populations of Polar Bears, Caribou, whales, seabirds and tundra Black Bears, and honors the Inuit whose settlements predate the first European Vikings and the Moravian Missionaries. Within the Park’s boundaries, two globally Important Bird Areas support large concentrations of Common Eider and several colonies of marine birds.

Each day was designed to expose young students to aspects of the north through different workshops including landscape painting, advocating on environmental issues, establishing an Arctic council, cataloguing plants, learning about the life history of birds, to name a few. These sessions were interspersed with excursions to picturesque glacial lakes, waterfalls and sacred Inuit burial grounds, as well as expeditions to climb mountains, search for Polar Bears and float alongside Minke Whales.

The Torngat Mountains and George River Caribou herds cross paths as they migrate to and from their calving grounds – we spotted several lone Caribou along the rocky shores. The inland bays and coastal waters were rich in bird species. We saw Common Loons, Black Guillemots, Glaucous Gulls, Peregrine Falcons, Long-tailed and Parasitic Jaegers, Northern Fulmars and Black-legged Kittiwakes. Northern redpolls were perhaps the most numerous passerine on most inland walks. And wildflowers, grasses and sedges abounded.

After departing Port Burwell, Killiniq Island on August 6th, we set sail across Ungava Bay and headed towards our final destination, Kuujjuak. In the afternoon, the students gathered one last time in the front hall of the ship to listen to leadership presentations and prepare for a final night of comedy, competitions, photography, singing and drama. It was clear when the curtain came down on the night, that the students had clearly been moved and Students on Ice had left an indelible mark on all those it had touched during the course of the fantastic voyage.

Students on Ice has done more to help shape young minds about the Arctic than perhaps any other initiative of its kind. By embracing Inuit knowledge and integrating their experience and understanding into the program, Students on Ice is breaking down the barriers between northern and southern cultures and is bravely paving the way for a new found understanding and respect for northern cultures and the Arctic environment.

The lessons learned from Students on Ice have profoundly impacted my understanding and appreciation for engaging young people in nature and these lessons learned come at an important time as Nature Canada looks for effective ways to continue engaging Canadians in a meaningful way in nature.

For more photos from Ian's trip and photos of Canada's National Parks, check out our Flickr album dedicated to these beautiful, wild spaces.

Connect with Nature: Geocaching

Geocaching is a large scale treasure hunt that allows you to connect with nature and have fun at the same time. Geocaches are small objects hidden in intriguing places that are located using GPS coordinates. It can be anything from a clear plastic container to a rock with a secret compartment. They usually contain a logbook that allows you to register your “find” and see how many people have come before you. Once you know where you are and where you're going, you can search for the cache. Here’s what you need to do to get started:

- Join the community: Start your adventure by visiting www.geocaching.com to read up on geocaching and find a list of local associations that can help you get started in your area;

- Choose your destination: There are over 1 million geocaches hidden around the world, including many in Canada’s natural spaces. Cape Breton Highlands, Bruce Peninsula and Banff are just a few of the national parks where you can find geocaches. Check with your favorite park to see if there are geocaches to be found there or use the online community to plan an outdoor adventure in a space you’ve never explored before;

- Prepare for your adventure: Once you’ve chosen your destination, you’ll need to do some research about what to expect on your journey. The online community should fill you in on the level of difficulty of each geocache and give you some background about its location. Before you head out, make sure you have all the gear you need to navigate the terrain and a GPS device or GPS enabled mobile phone to help you find your way. Some parks or community groups will let you borrow GPS devices for your adventure;

If you’re planning to geocache in a National Park, make sure to read Parks Canada’s guidelines for geocachers before heading out. Geocaching is a great way to explore nature, but it’s important to respect the natural environment and ensure these areas remain protected. You can find these guidelines here: www.pc.gc.ca/docs/pc/guide/geocache/geocache1.aspx

- Enjoy your journey: Pack up your gear, type the coordinates of your geocache into your GPS and you can be on your way. Don’t forget to stay on marked trails and follow proper wilderness etiquette. When you get home, share your experience with fellow geocachers and start planning your next adventure!

Photo by Ian Robertson via Flickr

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.

National Park Profile: Saguenay-St. Lawrence

Photo © Parks Canada

As part of the My Parks Pass program, and in conjunction with Parks Canada's centennial celebrations, we are highlighting a national park or national marine conservation area each month. With over 200 national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas across Canada, there's an adventure closer than you think!

Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park is an area to discover in depth! Since its creation in 1998, this large national marine conservation area has worked to protect the environment of a section of the St. Lawrence Estuary and the Saguenay Fjord. Five cetacean species inhabit the waters of the marine park, including the St. Lawrence beluga, a protected species. In all, more than fifteen species of marine mammals have been reported, so don't forget your camera and your binoculars.

• Whale Watching at Cap-de-Bon-Désir

Did you know that you can see 13 species of whales from the rocks at Cap-de-Bon-Désir? If you're watching closely you might see the threatened St. Lawrence beluga whale or you may even spy a blue whale - the largest marine mammal that has ever existed on the planet.

• Archaeological excavations at Archéo Topo Centre

Imagine what First Nations communities used as marine resources close to 8,000 years ago. There is so much to do at this centre that you're bound to find something that interests you. Attend pottery or pearl workshops, ask a virtual archaeologist a thousand questions, or play some games to become an archaeological researcher. There is also a brand new permanent exhibit and you can discover the archaeology of the North Shore.

• Check out the Marine Mammals Interpretation Centre

This is not your typical interpretation centre. It's been totally updated and is really in tune with today's interests. There is a discovery room that you must see where you'll come face to face with a sperm whale that is over 13 meters long. There are also some pretty cool uncut whale movies and videos, sounds from the underwater world and amazing interpretive activities. Don't forget to stop and shop at the gift shop where you'll find a collection of exclusive products.

• The Discovery Axis on L'Anse-De-Roche Dock

If you love kayaking, this is the place for you! You'll enjoy unforgetable landscapes and learn the mysteries of this amazing ecosystem. Make sure you check out the interpretive panels. And don't forget to bring a picnic lunch!

Find out more about each of these great activities through the Saguenay-St. Lawrence My Parks Pass location page. You can even start planning your trip today!

National Park Profile: Jasper

Photo © Parks Canada

Jasper is the largest and most northerly national park in Canada's Rocky Mountains, and is part of a spectacular World Heritage Site. In this special corner of the country, you can experience Athabasca Glacier up close, resign yourself to a relaxing soak in the Miette Hotsprings, ride the rapids on a white water rafting adventure or connect with nature along 1,000-plus kilometres of trails.

• Walk on the largest ice field in the Canadian Rockies

Take a tour on the icy slopes of the glacier in an Ice Explorer. You'll be fascinated with all there is to know about ancient ice - some of it that was formed about 400 years ago!

• Laze away your day at the Miette Hot Springs

Who doesn't want to lounge in the hottest mineral springs in the Rockies? In addition to two hot pools, a cool poolside shower and a cafe and gift shop, you can hike the interpretive trail to see where the hot springs come from. Keep your eyes open - this is an excellent place to see big horn sheep, black bear and deer.

• Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime white water rafting

Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? If so, then hang on. This white water rafting trip on the Athabasca River will take you through many small sets of rapids and also some calm stretches (for those less daring). Get ready 'cause it's about a 2 1/2 hour trip.

Find out more about each of these great activities through the Jasper National Park My Parks Pass location page. 

Plus, Jasper is the destination for the grand prize trip in our Canada's Ultimate Family Adventure contest. If you, or your Grade 8 / Secondary 2 son or daughter, have your pass just flip it over and enter your V.I.P. Code for a chance to win. But you'd better hurry - the contest closes on May 31!

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!

Bringing the World’s Forests Into Focus: 2011 International Year of Forests

In an effort to raise awareness on the sustainable development and management of forests, the United Nations General Assembly has declared 2011 the International Year of Forests.

Why are forests important enough to warrant a  global campaign?

Quite simply, the world’s forests are essential to life on this planet.

For starters, the majority of the earth’s biodiversity lives in forests. Since Canada is home to 10% of the world’s forests – forests cover half the Canadian landscape – we have a key role to play in the global effort to conserve and sustainably manage forests. 


As the “lungs of the earth”, forests absorb carbon dioxide, reducing the effects of climate change. Among other things, forests provide wildlife with a place to live, reduce sedimentation and regulate flooding, and help people reduce their energy consumption by shading buildings and screening winds.

To celebrate International Year of Forests, Nature Canada and other conservation groups will be promoting dialogue on forests and engaging people in forest activities.

We’ll be following all things related to International Year of Forests on Twitter and Facebook, and providing interesting forest facts and forest ecosystem profiles on our Nature Canada blog and enewsletter throughout the year.

We're already involved in conserving and restoring forest ecosystems in Canada, particularly in the Boreal Forest. At 1.3 billion acres, the Canadian Boreal Forest is one of the largest intact forest and wetland ecosystems remaining on earth.

We support the Boreal Forest Conservation Framework, an alliance of conservation groups, First Nations, and leading Canadian companies whose aim is to protect 50% of the region and support sustainable practices in local communities.


To that end, Nature Canada worked with First Nations and governments at all three levels to establish the Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve, which was announced in February 2010. This Park Reserve, along with an adjacent provincial park, caps a 15-year effort and will protect roughly 13,000 km2 of boreal forest habitat. The permanent protection of such a large area of boreal forest ensures at-risk species like the woodland caribou and the harlequin duck have the habitat they need to survive.

We're continuing to participate in discussions about the final park boundaries to ensure that wildlife is protected.

As the boreal forest extends as far north as the Northwest Territories, so have our conservation efforts. We are working to protect the Edéhzhíe National Wildlife Area by advocating for the reinstatement of interim protection for Edéhzhíe's subsurface lands. You can join our campaign to protect this globally significant stopover point for Tundra Swan and Greater White-fronted Goose.

We're also working with James Bay Cree to protect migratory birds of the Ontario and Quebec boreal region, by identifying shared conservation priorities around birds and Important Bird Areas. It's a natural relationship, since we share a common interest with many of the communities in protecting these areas - the habitat and ecosystem conservation that we are seeking acts to conserve an important part of their culture. Protecting and monitoring Important Bird Areas is the cornerstone of bird conservation in forest ecosystems like those in the James Bay region. 

We have also worked to protect critical forest habitat for endangered species, such as the Woodland caribou. Since leading a coalition of groups who worked to establish Canada’s Species at Risk Act, we've been hard at work ensuring that wildlife protection laws are fully in effect.

Beyond our national boundaries, we've extended our reach to include a project in Haiti that provides an incentive – free education for elementary-school-aged children – for communities in the Macaya National Park to adopt sustainable forest management practices. In this way, the school offered hope for 300 girls and boys while providing incentives to relieve pressure on important habitat for Canadian migratory birds like the Bicknell’s Thrush.

For its part, the UN is providing a series of communications initiatives and materials, which include a website, logo, film and art competitions, exhibits and promotional multimedia projects. Its goal, among others, is to “Promote observance of the Year not as an isolated event but as part of a continuing process of advocacy and partnership to foster greater awareness and action towards sustainable forest management at all levels.”

Forests are important around the world. Here are a few reasons why:

• 30% of forests are used for production of wood and non-wood
  products.
• Forests cover 31% of total land area.
• The livelihoods of over 1.6 billion people depend on forests.
• Primary forests account for 36% of forest area.
• Trade in forest products was estimated at $327 billion in 2004.
• Forests are home to 300 million people around the world.
• Forests are home to 80% of our terrestrial biodiversity.

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.