Tommy Thompson Park, 2018 (Jason Ramsay-Brown)
With spring delivering a vibrant tapestry of shorebird returns, each embarking on its own remarkable journey, it’s imperative that we take proactive measures to safeguard their habitats and migration routes. While some transient species merely pause to rest and refuel en route to the Arctic, others nest as close as Toronto Island. Yet, despite the Read More
Discarded fishing gear is hazardous to various animal groups. Birds, turtles, otters and curious pets can be injured, trapped or drowned when tangled in fishing gear. Birds, like the Great Blue Heron, can swallow hooks and lead sinkers, causing severe injuries and lead poisoning. They can also become tangled in fishing lines leading to starvation, Read More
Chances are, if you are reading this you don’t have to be convinced about the inherent value of nature and the importance of protecting it. But have you ever thought about the economics of failing to do so? That buzz you felt after your last visit to one of Toronto’s urban parks wasn’t just in Read More
In Bluffer’s Park, a local resident recently found a wounded Trumpeter Swan, injured by fishing line. She immediately contacted the Toronto Wildlife Centre, who were able to capture the bird safely for medical treatment. The medical team observed a cut on the bird’s beak causing the bleeding, which they cleaned and healed with specialized care Read More
Embarking on a journey to aid nature doesn’t require grand gestures; sometimes, it starts right in our own backyard. With wildlife populations dwindling due to habitat loss, each of us has a role to play in nurturing our local ecosystems. One powerful way to contribute is by transforming our yards into natural havens, brimming with Read More
Bird Migration Season is back. To reduce bird deaths, the City of Toronto has re-launched an important public awareness campaign: ‘Lights Out Toronto’. Everyone is encouraged to turn off unneeded indoor and outdoor lights to prevent migratory bird collisions and deaths. Let’s consider every light source around our homes and workplaces. There are great reasons Read More
Every year on March 22, we celebrate World Water Day (WWD). This is a day that acknowledges the importance of fresh water and raises awareness of the need to take action towards protecting this vital and limited resource. Water is life; people, animals, and plants alike all depend upon water to function—its protection impacts us Read More
Annually, a staggering 25 million birds lose their lives in Canada due to unnecessary collisions with buildings, predominantly during daylight hours when birds mistakenly perceive glass as a continuation of their surroundings. This preventable tragedy can be mitigated by applying visual treatments to windows. While some municipalities already mandate these changes, a longer-term goal is Read More
Each February, the global community marks World Wetland Day. Wetlands are among the planet’s most biodiverse habitats; in Toronto, wetlands are the best places to spot turtles, trumpeter swans, wood ducks, herons and muskrats, just to name a few species. Wetlands are vital for buffering floodwaters and storing carbon. But wetlands are also under intense Read More
Rainy January days are a worry; they remind us that our winters are warming. Climate is a common conversation theme, and we all feel the urge to move beyond worry to action. When we explore ways to lighten our personal carbon footprints, our travel choices are key. Air travel especially, is an outsized contributor to 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.