Imagine being perpetually trapped indoors – no thanks! We love the outdoors and, as it turns out, so do our cats. They enjoy rolling in the grass, basking in the sun, and feeling the wind in their whiskers. We love our furry friends and want the best for them but, as all-round animal lovers, we cringed when our carnivorous companions  brought home “gifts” from unsanctioned neighbourhood jaunts.  The “escape artist” cats inside their secure yard. (Photo: Andy Gryc and Nancy Young) Besides, the great outdoors also hosts its fair share of dangers and we do not want our cats to be on the ..read more

It’s a moment nature lovers have been waiting for. On June 13, 2024, Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault released Canada’s 2030 Nature Strategy: Halting and Reversing Biodiversity Loss in Canada. At the same time, Minister Guilbeault  announced the Nature Accountability Bill—the legal framework needed to support implementation of the Strategy. “Minister Steven Guilbeault deserves credit for his courage, vision and leadership in defining a strategy that he knows will go under the microscope of every ENGO, every land steward, every fisherman, logger, and nature-lover in the country,” sa ..read more

Given the habit of the very photogenic Columbian Ground Squirrel (Urocitellus columbianus)  to stand upright, it’s not surprising that this small mammal is so popular with photographers. The squirrel is found in western North America, in open and mountainous country such as alpine meadows, high grass plateaus, forest clearcuts and sagebrush plains. It measures about twelve to sixteen inches in length, with a tail of about three to four inches. Like its cousin the prairie dog, the Columbian Ground Squirrel will often stand on its hind legs to survey terrain. This behavior, along with the ..read more

Our boreal forest captures my imagination. It’s so vast, it covers so much of Canada, it’s such an important ecosystem, and it’s home to iconic wildlife like caribou, wolves, and, of course, one of my life’s passions: birds. I believe saving the boreal forest is also a key to saving ourselves from burning. I’ve always been enchanted by birds, they are a source of endless fascination. I love the miracle of flight, the complexities of their life histories, the intricacies of their feathers and the marvel of their migration. And it’s a wonderful treat to see so many colourful warblers ..read more

In front of a friendly audience at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa, Minister of International Affairs, the honorable Ahmed Hussen, chose May 22, International Biodiversity Day, to announce a whopping $15M of funding over three years for international bird conservation from Canada. Birds Canada, our Canadian partner organization in BirdLife International, is the deserved recipient of the funding, though most of it will go to protecting habitat in Latin America. This amazing announcement puts Canada front and centre as a major player in protecting bird populations in the Americas. Billi ..read more

Calling all Maritimers… and anybody else who cares about magical seascapes! We’re at a pivotal moment  in our continuing quest to protect the Bay of Fundy. I hardly need to introduce Canadians to  the Bay of Fundy. World-renowned for its extreme tides and “flowerpot” rock formations, the Bay is a saltwater haven between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick that shelters at-risk species such as the Right Whale, the  American Eel and wild Atlantic Salmon. Now the federal government is seeking Canadians’ input on how to protect this ecological gem as well as other significant marine area ..read more

“All that we do is touched with ocean,” wrote the American poet Richard Wilbur, and this is especially true for a country like Canada, with oceans on three sides and the longest coastline in the world. During Ocean Week (June 1st to 9th) Nature Canada is celebrating all things oceanic… and you’re invited! Killer Whales Surfacing in Ottawa Ever wanted to swim with killer whales? From June 2 to 9, you’ll have a chance to — virtually — at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa. Experience the world of Southern Resident Killer Whales at the Canadian Museum of Nature’s augmented reality exhibit ..read more

Often in our work to protect and conserve nature, we have to measure progress in small, incremental steps. Only very occasionally are we able to experience a great leap forward. Canada’s decision to sign the UN High Seas Treaty is one of those leaps. And our voices for nature helped make it possible! This treaty, the UN Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Treaty, is one of the most consequential conservation instruments of all time. Oceans cover seventy percent of the planet’s surface, and the vast majority are international waters. Too many states have treated the oceans like ..read more

Nature Canada—together with the support of our members and partners — is proud of our rich 85 year history. A voice for nature that has earned the trust of Canadians, able to confidently speak with governments, policy makers and other leaders about the state of nature in Canada and how we can advance protection for wildlife and wild spaces, and halt and reverse nature loss. Right now, in collaboration with other environmental organizations, Nature Canada is calling out The State of Canada’s Forests Annual Report as misleading and inaccurate. We believe it fails to provide a transparent and cr ..read more

Birds have long been a source of inspiration and wonder for people all over the world. Their songs, vibrant plumage, and unique behaviors add beauty and life to our urban landscapes. However, the threats facing urban birds — especially species at risk — have become a cause for concern. Threats to Birds in Our Built Environments Over the past five decades, urbanization and human activities have taken a significant toll on bird populations, particularly in North American cities and towns. Shockingly, we have lost a quarter of the wild bird population — nearly 3 billion birds. This decline is ..read more