Peterborough Examiner – October 15, 2021 – by Drew Monkman Seeds ride air, animals, and their own steam to new destinations Nature is never at rest. Even now, as leaves change colour and fall to the ground, all manner of trees, shrubs, and flowers are engaged in a crucial mission: spreading their Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – October 8, 2021 – by Drew Monkman Many children are already anxious or have dangerous misconceptions. They want and need to talk about it. For nearly two years now, we’ve all been talking non-stop about Covid with friends, family, and even our kids. You’d almost think we’ve Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – September 24, 2021 – by Drew Monkman A boom or bust cycle of seed production is no less than an adaptation for survival “Daddy, why do flowers smell nice? Why do ladybugs have spots?” From the time we’re old enough to talk, we overwhelm our parents with Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – September 17, 2021 – by Drew Monkman Cooler temperatures, migrating birds, and a riot of colour are the hallmarks of this wonderful season. Next to spring, fall’s arrival is my favorite change of season. The cooler temperatures and changing colours never fail to shake me out of Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – September 3, 2021 – by Drew Monkman Given how quickly climate chaos is unfolding, the Conservative climate plan comes up short. The most alarming story to come out this summer is not the continuing pandemic or the tragedy in Afghanistan. As serious as these problems are, Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – July 16, 2021 – by SCOTT MCKINLAY Nature isn’t just good for you; it nurtures climate action The restrictions of the past 16 months have forced many of us to explore new frontiers of entertainment and self-fulfillment, and much of that entertainment has come in the form Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – July 9, 2021– by LINDA AND AL SLAVIN Local 4RG climate group connects us all to the biggest crisis modern humans have ever faced We keep hearing about the climate crisis in the news: more than 700 people died in BC in the late-June heatwave, just a Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – July 2, 2021– by Marilyn Freeman It seems like a lifetime ago that I read Robert Pirsig’s “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance”. I’m not interested in motorcycles, but one concept stuck with me. On a motorcycle, he says, there is a connection to one’s surroundings Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – June 18, 2021 – by Drew Monkman Despite some challenges, there is much to look forward to in the coming months To a large extent, “seeing” is knowing what to expect. In fact, the cornerstone of identification is knowing what species are most likely given Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – June 4, 2021 – by Drew Monkman City’s actions don’t reflect declaration of a Climate Emergency On these beautiful June days, it’s hard to imagine the planet is in the midst of a climate crisis. And, even if we accept the science, isn’t the pandemic a Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – May 21, 2021 – by Drew Monkman “These woods were meant for nature walks/ Cross-country skis, and quiet talks./ Instead, we find ourselves among/ An endless trail of steaming dung.” Anonymous, March 2021 I am a dog lover. I still remember the Christmas morning when my Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – May 10, 2021 – by Drew Monkman MPP Dave Smith needs to act now to help protect this rich natural area For many years, Jack’s Lake east of Apsley has been one of my favorite nature destinations. From its rich diversity of butterflies and reptiles to Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – June 4, 2021 – by Katie Krelove, Ontario Campaigner for the Wilderness Committee and member of the Catchacoma Forest Stewardship Committee The clock is ticking: May 17 the last day to comment on proposed logging plan By now it’s common knowledge that the pandemic has driven many Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – April 23, 2021 17 songs to inspire action to protect our planet As we celebrate Earth Week, I’d like to step back from my usual fact-driven perspective on the state of the environment. Today, I want music to do the talking. I’ve put together a Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – April 16, 2021 Forest Schools take the learning outside – and kids love it! April 22 is Earth Day. For me, it’s always a time to reflect on our fractured relationship with the natural world. This year, however, I’m feeling more hopeful than I have in Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – April 9, 2021 Woodcock’s sky dance a must-see marvel of nature in the Kawarthas With monikers like pop-eyed shot dodger, bogsucker, sky dancer, and timber-doodle, the American woodcock may have the most evocative nicknames of any bird. It’s not surprising. This strangely-shaped species with a ridiculously long Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – April 2, 2021 A look ahead at events in nature as spring arrives in the Kawarthas With early spring now upon us, nature’s most eventful and exciting season has begun. Change is the order of the day. The silence of winter has already given way to ardent Read more…
Peterborough Examiner – March 19, 2021 – subscription required to read article online Comments from readers provide insights into why so many of us still remain silent This week, I’d like to provide a breakdown of the comments people submitted to me via Facebook and email to my question: Read more…
(Peterborough Examiner – March 12, 2021) “How lovely are the portals of the night, when stars come out to watch the daylight die.” Thomas Cooke When I think of early spring, my thoughts often turn to a memorable evening at the Trent Wildlife Sanctuary. Standing with my kids in Read more…
(Peterborough Examiner – March 5, 2021) Higher-than-usual owl numbers are thrilling people throughout the Kawarthas Mysterious visitors on silent wings are among us this winter. Arriving from the trackless expanses of Canada’s north, owls are thrilling people all over the Kawarthas. I can think of no other bird that Read more…
Last week I looked at the scientific facts about the climate crisis – a problem that will prove to be far worse than the pandemic. This week I’d like to turn to the solutions. Here’s the challenge: According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, in order to avoid Read more…
“It’s getting the facts straight that gets us to act and not to wait. So, I tell you this not to scare you,But to prepare you, to dare youTo dream a different reality. – Amanda Gorman, U.S. National Youth Poet Laureate, from “Earthrise: A Poem About Climate Change” If Read more…
February 12 is day to reflect on the legacy of Charles Darwin – and why a male cardinal is red! With the arrival of February, bird song is slowly returning to the natural world. A week ago, I heard the boisterous song of the cardinal for the first time Read more…
Recently, I was asked to reflect on how nature in the Kawarthas has changed since I was a child and young adult in the 1960s and 70s. Thinking back, what immediately comes to mind is how much more abundant so many species were. In my mind’s eye, I see the Read more…
Winter can be a great time for birding Although it can seem like birds are few and far between in winter, there are actually many interesting species to be found. Some, like snow buntings, pine grosbeaks, and snowy owls are present at no other time of year. In fact, it Read more…
Record-highs for 16 species recorded on the annual Peterborough Christmas Bird Count Maybe it was our collective cabin fever, the increased interest in birding, or simply fewer Christmas obligations than in a normal year. For whatever combination of reasons, a record 96 people took part in this year’s Peterborough Read more…
Looking ahead to events in nature as the seasons change As I wrote earlier this fall, I’ve been on a quest to see how many bird species I can find in a single calendar year in Peterborough County. On November 8, I tallied number 200, thanks to a surf Read more…
Despite recognition of time spent in nature as a pillar of health, protecting greenspace remains an uphill battle For me, an enduring image of the pandemic will be the unprecedented number of people taking advantage of local rail-trails and parks. Some days, the procession of dog-walkers, cyclists, photographers, joggers, Read more…
November offers much more than meets the eye This week I’ve been thinking a lot about my mother and the huge influence she had on my life – and still does. She was born on November 16, 1925 and died 87 years later on the same day. Coming from Read more…
My quest to find 200 species in Peterborough County in 2020 For a long time now, I’ve taken a degree of pride in no longer being a “lister”, namely a birder who’s obsessed with adding new species to their list. Well, I’ve had to eat crow this year. An Read more…