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
Our first Kanopy pick for 2019 is “The Last Reef”, a stimulating look at the largest living structures on our planet. Take an underwater sojourn from the Bikini Atoll to The Bahamas and explore these vast “cities” of coral that habour some of the greatest biodiversity on our planet. The creativity of Oscar- and Emmy-nominated Read More
It was with great pleasure that, back in September, TFN sponsored 5 of the 106 youth who attended Ontario Nature’s 2018 Youth Summit for Biodiversity & Environmental Leadership. Over that weekend, attendees participated in a wealth of activities and workshops, exploring everything from freshwater ecology to affecting political change. Our sponsorship touched the lives of Read More
Devastated by toxic chemicals only decades ago, Ontario’s population of double-crested cormorants has seen substantial recovery in recent years. The Government of Ontario has put forth a proposal to establish a hunting season for double-crested cormorants (ERO 013-4124) which would let 50 cormorants be killed per hunter every day, with those cormorants killed being permitted Read More
Striking wildlife, breathtaking landscapes and the remarkable beauty of our natural world are captured in Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Until March 31, 2019, TFN members save 20% off ROM admission! Buy your tickets online and use promo code: TFN. Further, the ROM invites you to share your captivating images of the natural world for a Read More
Ontario’s Open for Business Act (Bill 66) threatens our Greenbelt, sensitive natural habitat, and important farmland. Economic and housing opportunities already abound in Ontario cities and towns without the need to bypass protections afforded by important legislation like the Clean Waters Act, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act, and Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, all Read More
Hey TFN Junior Naturalists – hope you enjoyed our trip to Humber Bay Park! Special thanks to TFNers Anne, Bob & Rachel for braving the cold with us to teach us all about this amazing place and the wonderful creatures that visit its shores! Keep on learning with the following: On the Wild Side: Winter Read More
While our Kanopy pick for December, Birders: The Central Park Effect, focuses on New York City, any TFNer could tell you that a nearly identical film could have easily been shot here in Toronto, substituting Central Park with Tommy Thompson, High Park, or our amazing valley lands. This film celebrates birder culture in all its Read More
Prepared by Ellen Schwartzel, TFN Board of Directors Ellen Schwartzel’s career included advising three Environmental Commissioners, and she was Deputy Environmental Commissioner from 2013 till retiring in July 2018. Ontario is about to lose its independent Environmental Commissioner, as part of cuts announced by the Ford government on November 15, 2018. The details were laid Read More
The December issue marks the last time The Connected Naturalist column will appear in our newsletter. The launch of our redesigned website offers us new opportunities for creating online content and, as The Connected Naturalist deals with naturalists’ use of digital technology, it seemed more at home here than in the newsletter. For those looking 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.