Finding Optimism this International Youth Day

by Nathaniel Holloway, Environmental technician From the point of view of a twenty-one year old student, the future seems uncertain. While I am an optimistic person, it is hard to ignore the constant flow of warnings from scientists. These warnings make me worry for the survival of our lifestyle and—much more importantly—future generations. However, humans have historically developed technology to meet demands which were previously thought insatiable (e.g., the green revolution which ... Read More

by Samantha Cunningham, Ecological technician Celebrated across Canada each fall, Terry Fox is a national icon. During the Marathon of Hope in 1980, Fox set out to run across Canada to raise awareness and money for cancer research. This cross-Canada journey took place over 143 days, 5,373 kilometres, and 6 provinces, leading Fox to run through 75 of Canada’s 1,382 sub-watersheds. These sub-watersheds were areas of land that caught falling precipitation, facilitating their drainage into nearby ... Read More

by Samantha Cunningham, Ecological technician While we think of snakes primarily as predators, they are both predators and prey! This makes them a key component of a healthy, balanced ecosystem. These slithery serpents help keep pest populations under control by eating insects, rodents, and small mammals. They are nature's pest control and they are particularly good at protecting gardens from slugs and other nuisances! Snakes are also preyed upon by birds and larger mammals.   Fun ... Read More

by Nathaniel Holloway, Environmental technician Plastic has become central to the way humans package, ship, and consume products. This includes everything from electronics, to medications, to baby toys. Plastic was—and still is in some contexts—considered a miracle product which is waterproof, hard-wearing, and easily malleable. However, we have allowed this material with a myriad of unknown adverse health effects to accumulate in Earth's oceans. While it may seem like an “out of sight, out ... Read More

by Christopher Dennison, Municipal Policy Intern Everyone knows the old saying, “these things just happen for a reason”. I have entertained long debates with friends and family over this old adage, and I still wonder whether I could prescribe to such a saying when the global community finds itself at the mercy of a deadly, unforgiving virus. The COVID-19 pandemic has uprooted countless lives, and it would also lead to somewhat of a crossroad in my own life. My wife and I are both River ... Read More

You can help protect Canada's freshwater. Help us continue to make a difference with your year-end donation before December 31st! Make My Year-End Donation Today! Members of the Quinte Conservation, Cherry Valley Park Association, and Watersheds Canada planted 140 native plant species along Cherry Valley Park’s shoreline. Your support in 2020 has resulted in on-the-ground, grassroots change: 23,335 native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers planted along 6,630-metres of shoreline 150 ... Read More