Magwood Park, 2017 (TFN Archives)
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Since the launch of our petition to Fund the Toronto Ravine Strategy in the 2019 Budget over 2400 people have signed in support – an amazing testament to the deep appreciation Torontonians have for their natural heritage. Over these same weeks, TFN Action Committee members have been working to encourage the Budget Committee to put Read More
The Scientists in School BONE ZONE workshop was a blast thanks to all of the Junior Naturalists who joined us to study bones and dissect owl pellets! Keep on learning with the following: Virtual Owl Pellet Dissection Kidwings Explores | Barn Owls: Home Sweet Home (YouTube) Owl Shows Off Silent Flight Superpower (YouTube) How Does Read More
by Jason Ramsay-Brown NatureWatch was an early entry into what is now a full-blown trend in digital citizen science initiatives: sites & apps used to help researchers assess impacts on biodiversity, most particularly those provoked by climate change. By registering with the NatureWatch website users can file reports to various discrete programs: FrogWatch, PlantWatch, IceWatch, Read More
The third year of TFN’s Cottonwood Flats Monitoring Project (CFMP) is gearing up! This wonderful partnership with the City of Toronto’s Urban Forestry, Natural Environment and Community Programs provides exciting opportunities for TFN members to actively engage in citizen science and make positive contributions to nature in the city. From April to October we’ll conduct Read More
Our Kanopy pick for February is the beautiful “Brilliant Darkness: Hotaru in the Night”, a short, smart look at how artificial lights affect fireflies. Filmmaker Emily Driscoll brings viewers the unique insights of Japanese and North American researchers, exploring the ecological and cultural roles of this amazing insect and how our rising urbanity is impacting Read More
Chester Springs Marsh was developed over two decades ago, the first major project of the Task Force to Bring Back the Don. The City is now seeking public feedback on a proposed Conceptual Plan for improvements. Send your comments to greentoronto@toronto.ca by Feb 15, 2019. For more information: Chester Springs Improvements (toronto.ca) Chester Springs Marsh Read More
Hope you Junior Naturalists enjoyed your morning in Crothers Woods exploring evidence of overwintering insects in wood, galls, on tree trunks and in leaf litter. Special thanks to Taylor Leedahl from the High Park Moth study program, and Meghan Duell and Jackie Lebenzon from the University of Western Ontario, for teaching us everything from how Read More
For some of us it’s a nearby bit of forest, where we wander past old, familiar trees, enveloped by the calls of birds and the ethereal strands of memory. For others the local park, with benches tucked in the midday shade, watching squirrels make preparation for winter. But wherever this place is, chances are you Read More
Do you agree that more needs to be done to protect and improve the ecological health of our ravines? On January 28th, the City of Toronto will officially begin its 2019 Budget Process. TFN has started a petition requesting adequate funding for implementation of the Ravine Strategy and insisting that these funds be used to Read More
by Jason Ramsay-Brown As the frigid air of winter blows across the city the inspiration to venture out in to nature is diminished for many of us. Naked trees, hibernating creatures, frozen water – there’s a stillness out there, beautiful in its own right, but which softens the siren call of our ravines, valleys, parks, Read More
Toronto Field Naturalists wishes to acknowledge this Land through which we walk. For thousands of years, the Land has been shared by the Wendat, the Haudenosaunee, and the Anishinaabe. Toronto is situated on the Land within the Toronto Purchase, Treaty 13, the traditional and treaty Lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. This territory is also part of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum, a covenant agreement between Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Wendat peoples and allied nations to peaceably share the land and all its resources. Today, the Land is home to peoples of numerous nations. We are all grateful to have the opportunity to continue to care for and share the beauty of this Land.