By: Aleksandra Spasevski ​ Aleks is one of the founding members of CYBN where her passion was to protect and enhance Canada's natural biodiversity through advocacy work and action. She is a graduate student at the University of Waterloo where she is examining how to improve intergenerational relationships within youth service programs to enhance social and environmental impact on communities. Abstract: Organizational leaders and decision-makers who wish to enhance social and environmental impact should look to support youth by creating space for meaningful passion, participation, youth vo ..read more

By: Darlene Coyle Policy Project Coordinator, CYBN ​With a Master's in Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo, Darlene is an environmental policy researcher focusing on ecosystem management and equitable decision making. When one thinks of a wetland, it is possible that images of Shrek’s dark and creepy swamp come to mind. A place where misfits are rejected from society and sent to live among the undesirable. But in reality, wetlands in their natural state are beautiful, peaceful, yet vibrant landscapes that provide us with a place to relax, reconnect with nature, an ..read more

By: Amy Kikuchi Social Media Coordinator, CYBN  ​Amy has a Master of Environmental Science from the University of Toronto and is passionate about harvesting healthy and delicious plants found around Ontario. Check out her website @ ecpickings for more content! Serviceberry, Juneberry, Saskatoon Berry…a berry by any other name would taste as sweet. ⁠ These cute little berries go by many names, but are all part of the Genus Amelanchier. They are native to Ontario, and are neither a weed nor an invasive plant. The blossoms from these trees are great ..read more

By: Amy Kikuchi Social Media Coordinator, CYBN  ​Amy has a Master of Environmental Science from the University of Toronto and is passionate about harvesting healthy and delicious plants found around Ontario. Check out her website @ ecpickings for more content! Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) are one of the most versatile weeds. They originate from Eurasia but are not considered invasive in Ontario because they do not cause significant damage to native plants and local ecosystems.   I love dandelions because the whole plant is edible and nutritio ..read more

By: Amy Kikuchi Social Media Coordinator, CYBN  ​Amy has a Master of Environmental Science from the University of Toronto and is passionate about harvesting healthy and delicious plants found around Ontario. Check out her website @ ecpickings for more content! Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is native to eastern Asia and was introduced to North America as an ornamental plant in the late 19th century. As many invasive plants do, Japanese Knotweed escaped gardens and is now one of the most aggressive invasive plants in Ontario. Japanese Knotweed pr ..read more

By: Amy Kikuchi Social Media Coordinator, CYBN  ​Amy has a Master of Environmental Science from the University of Toronto and is passionate about harvesting healthy and delicious plants found around Ontario. Check out her website @ ecpickings for more content! Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) is out and thriving! This plant is a common sight in moist areas, and although they are considered weeds, they are edible, tasty, and healthy. Originally from Europe, this plant is invasive but not as aggressive as other invasive species. Stinging Nettle has ..read more

by: amy kikuchi Social Media Coordinator, CYBN  ​Amy has a Master of Environmental Science from the University of Toronto and is passionate about harvesting healthy and delicious plants found around Ontario. Check out her website @ ecpickings for more content! Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is an invasive plant from Europe that has become one of the most aggressive invasive plants in the area. It displaces native plants and spreads quickly in almost any environment. They are likely growing in your neighbourhood, your local parks, or even you ..read more

BY: AMY KIKUCHI  Social Media Coordinator, CYBN  ​Amy has a Master of Environmental Science from the University of Toronto and is passionate about harvesting healthy and delicious plants found around Ontario. Check out her website @ ecpickings for more content!  1. What are weeds? When I started on this adventure, I was under the same impression that most of us are — that weeds are bad and must be removed! But “weeds” are simply a social construct based on our perception. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a weed is “a plant that i ..read more

By: AMy kikuchi CYBN Social Media Coordinator ​Amy has a Master of Environmental Science from the University of Toronto and is passionate about harvesting healthy and delicious plants found around Ontario. Check out her website for more content!  I started foraging a few years ago.⁠ It started with seeking out elusive and expensive things like morels and ramps, but over time, I came to the realization that I didn't have to travel deep into the woods. I could forage in my own yard. ⁠ ​ ⁠It's always an adventure, and there is something so human about foraging and eating the foo ..read more

By: Darlene coyle Policy Project Coordinator, CYBN ​With a Master's in Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo, Darlene is an environmental policy researcher focusing on ecosystem management and equitable decision making. Discussing how to protect the environment and which level of government to hold accountable is a complicated thing. This article attempts to clarify the jurisdictional mess of environmental policy in Canada.   According to the Constitution Canada is a federalist country, meaning responsibilities are shared between the federal and provincial ..read more