Children Out of School? Here are 7 Free Educational Resources to Help You Teach about Nature at Home

Helping with homework and trying to maintain a schedule for children during these challenging times is something we understand many parents are struggling with at this time.  Now, with the likelihood of extended school closures, parents and educators are scrambling to find educational and free resources to keep their children occupied while at home.  Here are 7 free educational and curriculum-linked resources to keep children of all ages (and adults too!) occupied, learning about nature, and ... Read More

By Monica Seidel Did you know that there are over 300 butterfly species in Canada, with 150 in Ontario alone? While most people are familiar with the iconic monarch and swallowtail butterflies, there are many other species fluttering around that would love to meet you. Great spangled fritillary You may have seen this butterfly on a large native plant, like milkweed or spotted Joe-Pye weed. Great spangled fritillaries are found from British Columbia to Nova Scotia, living in marshes, ... Read More

Andress’ Your Independent Grocer in Smiths Falls will be celebrating World Water Day (March 22nd) by partnering with Watersheds Canada. With your $2 donation, you will help fund local freshwater initiatives, including naturalizing shorelines with trees, shrubs, and wildflowers, and educating people on in-water fish habitat. You will have the opportunity to write your name on a water drop tag and have it on display at the front of Andress’ from March 15-21st (pictured, right). “Wanita and I ... Read More

The Latornell Conservation Symposium, hosted November 19-21, 2019 in Alliston, Ontario, drew together conservation authorities, ENGO's, students, businesses, and Indigenous communities. Watch as Monica Seidel, Watersheds Canada's Digital Communications and Marketing Intern, takes you on a tour of the Symposium and what she learned. Watersheds Canada would like to thank the Latornell Conservation Symposium Grant for funding the full attendance and accommodation of Monica to attend the 2019 ... Read More

It was clear from the first day’s morning keynote speaker, Rebecca Thomas, that the Latornell Conservation Symposium was taking the current environmental and social crises seriously. Rebecca, a Mi’kmaw poet and activist, effortlessly blended her personal story with jarring poetry that covered topics of identity, the “creation” of Canada, and including Indigenous perspectives. Rebecca taught about Netukulimk – “I cannot take too much of anything” – and made everyone think about what good ... Read More

Cooler temperatures and snow means it is time to start looking for the perfect gifts to wrap under the tree! With this gift guide, you will find unique and meaningful gifts that protect Canada’s lakes, rivers, and shorelines. “Water” you waiting for? Check out these perfect gifts! Symbolic Adoptions Perfect for: Anyone who loves Canada’s beautiful shorelines and waterbodies Six symbolic adoptions are now available to impress every nature lover on your list! Each symbolic adoption ... Read More

Al Best is the President of Carson, Trout, Lepine and Greenan Lakes Association, and has participated in Watersheds Canada's Love Your Lake program and Natural Edge program. Al was a strong advocate on his lake association to having the Love Your Lake program come in and provide free shoreline assessments to all property owners on the lake, and has chosen to participate in the Natural Edge program individually on his property.   Why were you interested in having your Lake Association ... Read More

Because of support for generous granting programs and individual givers, Watersheds Canada is able to offer people like Jane an opportunity to naturalize her shoreline at a reduced cost. Jane was a Natural Edge participant in September 2014, and first contacted Watersheds Canada with concerns about erosion along her shoreline. As we walked the shoreline together, Jane told us about her reservations for losing her shoreline view, and about her plant preferences for her 20.5 m of shoreline. ... Read More

By: Monica Seidel, Digital Communications and Marketing Intern, Watersheds Canada Judy Hall, a President of the Dalhousie Lake Association, sat down to talk about the importance of engagement and a sense of community when it comes to the long-term health of lake associations and the waters they care for. Answers have been edited for clarity and length. Q: How did you become interested in Dalhousie Lake and the lake association? A: I have been around the lake all my life and now ... Read More

Growing up, many of us would have welcomed the idea of sleeping in and missing school. Perhaps there was an early morning class or teacher you were not fond of, or you had to trek through the cold to get to school. If someone had offered you the option to simply sleep through half of the year, bypassing the cold and school year, would you have done it? How would you have been able to survive sleeping that long? While they are not worried about skipping school, Canada’s turtle species have to ... Read More