Local Wildlife Photographer Dave Ellis To Release 2024 Calendars For Christmas Season

Local wildlife photographer Dave Ellis has released his calendars for 2024 depicting some of his best shots of nature taken throughout the year for the upcoming holidays.

Photo courtesy of Dave Ellis.

“It is that time of year when we start looking ahead to the coming of the New Year,” said Ellis. “Astrid and I have designed our 2024 wildlife calendars featuring some very special photographs of our Kawartha Lakes wildlife.”

The calendars have been printed locally to support Kawartha Lakes businesses according to Ellis.

There are three different calendar designs to choose from. Ellis is requesting that those interested to see a preview of the calendars or to place an order can email wildlife@eastlink.ca.

“I really enjoy sharing my photos of our local wildlife with all of you and I look forward to meeting you when we deliver the calendars,” said Ellis. “We hope you like the calendars and thank you for your support.”

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Ontario Government Offering Free Access to Provincial Parks For Healthy Parks Healthy People Day On Friday

For Healthy Parks Healthy People Day on Friday, the Ontario Government is allowing free access to use provincial parks announced on Tuesday.

File photo.

Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, David Piccini made the announcement on behalf of the provincial government.

“Ontario Parks is once again offering free day-use access to provincial parks to celebrate Healthy Parks Healthy People Day, said Piccini. “This annual celebration is part of a global movement to promote the incredible health benefits of getting outside in nature. Studies show spending time in nature can improve our mental, physical, and social well-being, including lower blood pressure, increased self-esteem and reduced anxiety.”

Ontario Parks is offering the following ways to engage with nature including the following upcoming events:

• The 30x30 Challenge to encourage people to spend 30 minutes in nature for 30 days during the month of August

• Take a Hike Day on Aug. 9, a brand-new event this year offering guided hikes at provincial parks around the province.

“As the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, I encourage all Ontarians to take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors, immerse themselves in the splendour of nature and experience first-hand the restorative power of our provincial parks,” said Piccini.

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Kawartha Land Trust Launches Inaugural Passport to Nature; A Guide to a Year-Long Series of Events in Nature

Just in time for the peak of summer, Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) is officially launching its inaugural Passport to Nature (P2N) program — a year-long series of free, guided adventures in nature.

photo courtesy of kawartha land trust.

Throughout July and August, residents and visitors to the Kawarthas can attend a wide range of free KLT Passport to Nature events, including a tallgrass seedling planting, new-to-nature trail walk, roll or stroll, outdoor puppet show and a tour of the Alderville Black Oak Savanna.

As part of the planning for KLT’s inaugural Passport to Nature, KLT brought together a group of passionate and talented volunteers to form the People and Nature Working Group to help plan the project and bring it to life.

“Kawartha Land Trust’s Passport to Nature is a great way for people to get outside, explore, and connect with the nature all around us,” says John Kintare, KLT’s Executive Director. “We’ve heard from public health experts that being outside, even for an hour, provides physical and mental health benefits.”

Some KLT fall events include tree planting, forest bathing, an opportunity to gaze upon the wonders of the night sky and more.

“I got involved in this project because it’s a simple idea that I couldn’t resist — create a way for people to explore and enjoy nature — with their own passport to nature,” said Susan Scott, a KLT volunteer and Co-Chair of the People and Nature Working Group. “Some of the events we’ve included in KLT’s Passport to Nature are popular activities that Kawartha Land Trust has held in the past. But now, we hope to attract a wider audience to these popular outings, and help people learn more about KLT, its protected lands, and the vital work the organization does in preserving land for all of us.”

Kawartha Land Trust’s Passport to Nature print booklets will be available widely throughout the Kawarthas this summer at information and tourism centres and other locations. A PDF of the booklet can also be viewed and downloaded from our website. KLT is grateful for Cambium Inc.’s sponsorship of our 2023-2024 Passport to Nature.

“I encourage everyone to experience their own nature adventures this year,” concludes Scott. “We look forward to seeing you outside.”

To find out more about KLT’s Passport to Nature and upcoming events, visit the website.

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City of Peterborough Participating in Upcoming City Nature Challenge

The City of Peterborough has joined the City Nature Challenge (CNC), a global bioblitz competition to record nature sightings within Peterborough municipal boundaries from April 28 to May 1.

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

Tracking nature observations is valuable to help understand the biodiversity of local species and assists in identifying population changes over time. Many wildlife populations are at risk of declining with habitat loss being the most significant hazard impacting Ontario species.

On Saturday, April 29, an in-person bio-blitz is scheduled at Jackson Park (610 Parkhill Rd.) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The City is partnering with the Peterborough Field Naturalists to lead the Jackson Park bio-blitz. Specific wildlife-themed searches will occur, including bird, plants, mushrooms and insect counts.

To aid in recording wildlife observations during the bio-blitz, the iNaturalist app will be used to upload sightings of species spotted through the use of a unique Peterborough project event page. In addition, any nature observations recorded from April 28 to May 1 in Peterborough are eligible for the CNC competition and can be posted to the Peterborough iNaturalist page.

“The City Nature Challenge is citizen science in action. I invite residents to join us on April 29 for the BioBlitz. This event is a great opportunity for residents to connect with each other and with nature at Jackson Park, a well-loved urban park that is home to many forms of wildlife. Information gathered during the BioBlitz will support scientific research and contribute to our understanding of how climate change impacts biodiversity,” said Councillor Joy Lachica, Chair of the City’s Environment and Climate Change portfolio.

All observations will be verified by volunteers to confirm the correct species identification uploaded to iNaturalist. The CNC will tally the total confirmed observations from participating communities world-wide and announce the winners for the most sightings per community’s population size and area. A detailed schedule of the event will be posted online.

To learn more about how to participate, visit Peterborough City Nature Challenge web page.

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Photo Series of Unbelievable Dave Ellis Captures Prove Otter and Smallmouth Bass Are Not Photoshopped

A ‘Good Morning PTBO’ picture by Dave Ellis posted to our social media platforms Thursday morning stirred up some speculation.

photo by dave ellis.

The one of a kind capture shows a local otter eating a smallmouth bass on the Otonabee River.

“When you shoot at a fast shutter speed the camera freezes the action and it sometimes looks unnatural,” Ellis explains. “I can assure you that the otter did catch this fish and the picture is not photoshopped.”

The series of captures below shows the otter catching the bass.

All photos by Dave Ellis.

“Thank you for all of the nice comments on my photo. I really appreciate them and I am glad you enjoyed the photo. It was phenomenal to watch the otter catch this fish,” Ellis adds.

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Monarch Ultra Members Invited to International Butterfly Festival in Mexico

Members of the conservation and ultra-marathon organization Monarch Ultra have been invited to the International Monarch Butterfly Festival in Zitácuaro, Mexico from Friday to Sunday.

Carlotta James (left), Gunther Schubert (middle) and local environmentalist Gustavo Zaro (right) visiting El Galán Ecotourism Park in Guanajuato, Mexico in 2019. Photo courtesy of Carlotta James.

Zitácuaro is known as the gateway to the butterfly sanctuaries in the Sierra Madre Mountains, where the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is located. Indigenous groups in Zitácuaro have planted over 200,000 trees in the forest sanctuaries to provide additional habitat for the migrating monarch butterflies.

The Canadian delegation will learn more about environmental action in Zitácuaro and how cities in North America can work together to protect monarch butterflies according to a press release.

Rodney Fuentes is also directing a documentary film about the Monarch Ultra Relay Run, and will visit the forest sanctuaries to film millions of monarch butterflies in their overwintering home.

“Participating in the international festival will strengthen our cause for monarch conservation and create new opportunities for collaboration between Peterborough and Zitácuaro,” said Monarch Ultra co-founder Carlotta James. “Thanks to the beloved monarch butterfly, local yet international, delicate yet resilient, monarch butterflies are bringing together two communities on a shared journey towards greater environmental awareness and action.”

James, Fuentes and Gunther Schubert organized the Monarch Ultra Relay Run in 2019. It was a 4,300 km ultra-marathon that followed the migration of monarch butterflies from Peterborough to Macheros, Mexico.

“We want to learn from the Zitácuaro community and how best we can also contribute to protecting monarch butterflies and all pollinators that are crucial to the health of our ecosystem,” said James. “We believe that environmental action at the local and international level is essential to building stronger, more connected communities. Through this festival, I hope we can continue to be a champion for the monarchs so that future generations can witness the beautiful patterned creature of the skies.”

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Trans Canada Trail Contributes $61,500 to the Revitalization of The Jackson Creek Trail

The Trans Canada Trail is contributing $58,500 towards the rehabilitation and revitalization of the Jackson Creek Trail and an additional $3,000 for signage enhancements announced Tuesday.

File photo.

Funding for the revitalization of the trail includes addressing points of erosion, installing culverts, regrading slopes, enhancing bridges, resurfacing of the length of the trail and the addition of benches and educational signage.

Trail revitalization is funded in part by a grant from Trans Canada Trail to enhance our local section of Canada’s national trail, and a $523,917 investment from the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF).

The community has also raised over $20,000 in donations through the Your Metres Matter campaign for revitalizing the Jackson Creek Trail.

“Trans Canada Trail is proud to support the revitalization of the Jackson Creek Trail, and we celebrate Otonabee Conservation’s dedication to expanding and improving its trails, in order to make them a welcoming place for all community members and visitors,” says Eleanor McMahon, president of Trans Canada Trail. “The Trans Canada Trail would not be what it is without the commitment of our local partners. National in scope and local in execution, Trans Canada Trail collaborates with provincial and territorial partners and over 500 local trail operators across the country, such as Otonabee Conservation, who are instrumental in the Trail’s past, current and future development.”

The Trans Canada Trail is the world’s longest network of multi-use recreational trails, stretching more than 28,000 kilometres across every province and territory. The Jackson Creek Trail makes up 4.5 k.m. of the Trans Canada Trail, extending from Ackison Road in Selwyn Township to the concrete bridge at the entrance to Jackson Park in the City of Peterborough.

The Jackson Creek Trail is currently closed for construction and will re-open Dec. 16, with the possibility for an earlier opening dependant on weather.

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GreenUp Plants Five Food Forests In Celebration of Its 30th Anniversary

Peterborough GreenUP and Nourish continued their planting of one of five mini-food forests throughout Peterborough communities at Jackson Creek on Tuesday.

Volunteers gathered on the rainy Tuesday afternoon to plant fruit trees. Photo by Felicia Massey.

Food forests containing 25 trees, 20 shrubs and 25 native non-woody plants have been planted at five locations throughout five neighbourhoods including Kawartha Heights, East City Curtis Creek, Downtown Jackson Creek, Talwood and Jackson Park Brookdale.

“GreenUp is presently celebrating our 30th anniversary, projects like this one are a perfect example of how it takes time and careful stewardship to bring community vision to fruition,” said Tegan Moss, GreenUP executive director.  “Everyone at GreenUp is exceptionally proud of our success in working to bring the interests of local residents and the City together and grateful to all the donors and supporters who have helped us to get here.”

GreenUp and Nourish have been collaborating on a number of Growing Together While Apart projects supported by the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough to create more accessible public spaces.

With support from Arbor Day Foundation and the TD Bank Green Space program, Growing Edible Infrastructure hosted five fruit planting and skill-sharing events. They have planted 25 fruit trees and certified ten people in Beginner Fruit Tree Care through the TD Green Space Grant.

“Green spaces are the foundation to creating more livable, healthier cities so it’s imperative to focus and invest in creating more equitable access to these spaces,” said Janice Farrell Jones, TD senior vice president.

Funding for the tree planting came through a $25,000 Green Space Grant from TD Bank Group and the Arbor Day Foundation. Peterborough is one of just 20 North American cities to receive the grant.

The organization is helping anyone who signed up to help care for the five mini food forests.

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Photos: High School Students Stage Protest For Climate Action

Students from Peterborough Alternative & Continuing Education (PACE) staged a walkout from school and protested to spread awareness about climate change as part of a movement named “Fridays for Future” at Confederation Park on Friday.

Photo by Luke Best.

The students were part of the Youth Leadership in Sustainability program held in partnership with Trent University.

Aisling MacQuarrie,16, is a Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School student who is taking Youth Leadership in Sustainability. A program that prepares grade 11 and 12 students for leadership roles in sustainability initiatives at the local and global levels. Photo by Luke Best.

“In 2019, the city announced a climate crisis and they also committed to reducing greenhouse gases by 40 per cent by 2031. We're here to remind them of that promise and make sure they're upholding and making actions to get there,” said Aisling MacQuarrie, grade 11 student. “We wanted to try to make more of a difference in our community.”

Fridays for Future is a youth-led global climate strike movement that started in August 2018 when then 15-year-old Greta Thunberg began a school strike for the climate.

For three weeks leading up to the election, she sat outside Swedish Parliament every school day, demanding action on the climate crisis.

Mayor Diane Therrien encouraged the students in their protest and movement before heading to the Peterborough Environmental and Climate Action Expo (EnviroX). Photo by Luke Best.

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City of Peterborough Celebrates Bike Month Highlighting Local Trails

June is Bike Month in Ontario and the City of Peterborough is spotlighting cycling trails and paths around town.

File Photo.

The month features activities including a city-wide online bike registration and a fun online quiz.

Residents are invited to share their cycling stories during Bike Month with the hashtag #ptbobikemonth.

The city is featuring Roper Park Trail that was built last summer.

Located near Ravenwood Drive and Parkhill Road, the 450m trail connects the neighbourhood, provides access to the amenities in the park and connects to the broader trail and cycling network in the City.

Trail donors Haig Kelly and Barron Cowan have donated to the City and County trail system for the last 25 years. The trail came after the neighbourhood requested a formal trail for a more welcoming space and help deal with muddy conditions. That initiative got Kelly and Cowan involved.

A plaque beside the trail recognizes the donors as Haig Sharon Kelly, The Kelly Family Foundation and The Barron Cowan Foundation.

“This trail is a real gem. The neighbourhood has embraced it, with many people of all ages walking and cycling along it,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell. “Thank you for your generous donation Haig Kelly and Barron Cowan.”

More information can be found at https://www.peterborough.ca/en/city-services/walking-and-cycling.aspx

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