Cold, snow, and scarcity shape the extraordinary strategies that carry life through winter. Peterborough Examiner – December 19, 2025 – by Drew Monkman As the calendar turns to the deep stillness of winter and we hang festive lights against the long nights, our thoughts naturally drift to warmth, gifts, good food, and Read more
The widespread emotional vacuum around global warming actively prevents the political action we need. Peterborough Examiner – December 12, 2025 – by Drew Monkman Back in 2020, puzzled by the near-total silence surrounding my climate-related Examiner articles and Facebook posts, I asked readers and Facebook friends a simple question: Why does almost Read more
How our emotions can guide us from despair to collective action Peterborough Examiner – December 5, 2025 – by Drew Monkman Climate change is once again weighing heavily on my mind—and on my emotions. This past month’s exceptionally cold, snowy weather, seen only a few times in 70 years, is yet another Read more
A November walk along Jackson Creek reveals subtle beauty, something we can capture in winter planters. Peterborough Examiner – November 21, 2025 – by Drew Monkman November nature feels like the year’s quiet exhale. The frenetic energy of summer bloom and early fall’s explosive colour are now a muted memory. What remains Read more
Boreal wanderers like redpolls, siskins and grosbeaks may be headed for your feeders this winter Peterborough Examiner – November 14, 2025 – by Drew Monkman Like every fall, I’ve been busy keeping up with the voracious appetites of both migrant and resident birds flocking to our yard and feeders. In addition to Read more
Merlin reminds us that technology, when used well, can deepen our relationship with the living world. Peterborough Examiner – November 7, 2025 – by Drew Monkman Bird activity was pretty slow on a recent October morning at Silent Lake Provincial Park. All I could hear were the occasional chip notes of yellow-rumped Read more
Local nature club celebrating 85 years of fostering a connection to the natural world Peterborough Examiner – October 25, 2025 – by Drew Monkman There’s something special about exploring the outdoors with people who share your sense of curiosity and wonder. You’ll be amazed how much more you notice when you’re with Read more
Exploring the fragrant inspirations of the season Peterborough Examiner – October 10, 2025 – by Drew Monkman Leaving the house one wet morning this week, I noticed our maples had shed many more of their leaves overnight. Despite feeling daunted by the raking ahead, I couldn’t help but stop and breathe deeply. Read more
Cabins, trails, and autumn calm await just an hour north of Peterborough Peterborough Examiner – September 19, 2025 – by Drew Monkman Tucked into the rugged hills of the Haliburton Highlands, Silent Lake Provincial Park offers exactly what its name suggests: a rare quiet and calm. This couldn’t be truer than right Read more
Maples catch fire,red sparks against cool mornings—autumn is begun. Peterborough Examiner – September 19, 2025 – by Drew Monkman For me, fall always feels like a fresh start – the true New Year. I find myself energized by the cooler air, the change of colour in the leaves and even the shorter Read more
The annual insect spectacle you may have overlooked Peterborough Examiner – September 12, 2025 – by Drew Monkman On warm, muggy days in late summer, we are treated to a fascinating glimpse into the lives of ants. Although we rarely think of ants as winged creatures, they do grow wings during the Read more
Why asters and goldenrods are vital to pollinators—and a feast for the eyes Peterborough Examiner – September 5, 2025 – by Drew Monkman Gaze out over any meadow or country roadside in early September and you’ll see the landscape awash in gold and purple. Goldenrods shimmer in the sunlight alongside smaller numbers Read more
Looking back at 25 years of the Petroglyphs Butterfly Count Peterborough Examiner – August 22, 2025 – by Drew Monkman Last summer marked a milestone for local butterfly enthusiasts: the 25th Petroglyphs Butterfly Count. The first count was held in 1998, and since 2001 volunteers have gathered every mid-July—peak season for butterfly Read more
Simple ways to aid trees, birds and pollinators weather water scarcity Peterborough Examiner – August 8, 2025 – by Drew Monkman Peterborough and the Kawarthas are in the grip of drought. Over the past 30 days, rainfall has been barely half the norm, while intense heat has been accelerating evaporation from Read more
Zoe Schlanger invites us to see plants not as scenery, but as agents in a living, communicating world Peterborough Examiner – August 1, 2025 – by Drew Monkman “They may not have neurons or brains, but they sense. They decide. They remember. And they solve problems.” – Zoë Schlanger Returning home last Read more
New book by local educators is an invaluable resource for creative and impactful outdoor learning as well as a framework for transforming education Peterborough Examiner – July 11, 2025 – by Drew Monkman “Those who contemplate the beauty of the Earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life Read more
The surprising love lives of pumpkinseeds Peterborough Examiner – June 27, 2025 – by Drew Monkman Shimmering in the sunny shallows of lakes and ponds, the pumpkinseed sunfish is a true jewel of our local waters. Shaped like a flattened oval—hence the name—this colourful little fish is anything but plain. Its red-orange Read more
Summer brings new opportunities for nature enthusiasts. Peterborough Examiner – June 20, 2025 – by Drew Monkman The celestial wheel has once again brought us to the summer solstice and a new, exciting season. The American nature writer Hal Borland spoke of late June as “long, sweet days we bought and paid Read more
We can address the housing crisis without sacrificing our climate or biodiversity. Peterborough Examiner – May 23, 2025 – by Drew Monkman The housing crisis is real and urgent—but so too are the twin emergencies of biodiversity loss and climate change. Is it truly responsible—or even ethical—to tackle one crisis by worsening Read more
Colombia has emerged as a premier destination for anyone captivated by nature and the richness of Latin American culture Peterborough Examiner – May 16, 2025 – by Drew Monkman This week, I’d like to continue with more highlights of the unforgettable trip I made to Colombia last November. Colombia has emerged as Read more
Colombia hosts over 1,970 bird species – more than any other country in the world Peterborough Examiner – May 2, 2025 – by Drew Monkman “Suba, suba, suba. Arriba, arriba, arriba. Pancho, Pancho. Pancho.” Kneeling low to the forest floor, eyes sharp and focused, Carlos Mario was coaxing in one of Colombia’s Read more
Accepting that lasting environmental protection is likely impossible doesn’t mean giving up Peterborough Examiner – April 19, 2025 – by Drew Monkman When I was still teaching, Earth Day was a major event on our school calendar. It wasn’t just a day—it was a celebration and a time of action. We organized Read more
Replanting is more important than ever – both for nature and for us Peterborough Examiner – April 11, 2025 – by Drew Monkman The recent ice storm that swept through central Ontario has left a trail of devastation in its wake. While power lines, homes, and vehicles suffered significant damage, the most Read more
Worrisome declines continue across most avian groups Peterborough Examiner – March 28, 2025 – by Drew Monkman Lost in the political turmoil consuming all of our attention since the re-election of Donald Trump is the worrisome state of biodiversity in both Canada and the U.S. The situation stands to get even worse Read more
A look ahead at what bird species to expect and where to find them Peterborough Examiner – March 21, 2025 – by Drew Monkman With spring now upon us, I’d like to look ahead at what birds will grace us with their presence during this wonderful season. A big part of “seeing” Read more
Using China’s heavy emissions as an argument for not taking greater climate action is dishonest Peterborough Examiner – January 24, 2025 – by Drew Monkman Writing in the National Observer this week, Max Fawcett reminded us of a prescient quote from Canadian sci-fi novelist William Gibson. “The future is already here. It’s Read more
Species diversity on local counts remains healthy, but many populations are decreasing in number Peterborough Examiner – January 17, 2025 – by Drew Monkman “Wow! There must be at least 20 chickadees that have flown in,” I exclaimed to my friend Brian. “All you do is pish a bit, and they appear Read more
The large number of rarities and the continued increase in Red-headed Woodpeckers grabbed the birding spotlight Peterborough Examiner – January 10, 2025 – by Drew Monkman For bird enthusiasts in Peterborough County, 2024 proved to be an exceptional year. Among the 252 species recorded, four rarities stand out: the county’s first-ever Barnacle Read more
From intriguing celestial events to the return of bird song, there’s lots to command our attention. Peterborough Examiner – December 27, 2024 – by Drew Monkman As we begin what will hopefully be a colder and snowier winter than last year, here’s a sampling of what to watch for in local nature Read more
Exploring the remarkable adaptations and timeless appeal of these endearing backyard birds Peterborough Examiner – December 27, 2024 – by Drew Monkman It’s hard not to love chickadees. Their endearing appearance, friendly and curious nature, and resilience in the face of winter make them a favorite of nearly everyone who pays attention Read more