Wildlife & Natural Spaces

You cannot protect what you do not know. Nature’s diversity exists all around us. SCCF works with individuals, partners and community groups to promote knowledge of wildlife and natural environments. We work to preserve and protect for all to enjoy, both now and in the future.

The Prairie Living Room

Posted on August 6, 2020

The Prairie Living Room

Who could have predicted that in 2020 we would have to make to collective decision to stay inside our living room for extended period of time? These have been hard times for many.

We wanted to celebrate the hard decision our community has made to physically distance during Covid-19 by providing a new 'living room'. This living room is green, playful, beautiful and reflects our local flora. Now more than ever we need the benefits of nature for our physical and mental health.

Waverly Beach Birthplace of American Civil Rights Movement

Posted on July 30, 2020

The explosion of the movement for racial equality recently brings into highlight a threatened old growth forest called Waverly Beach, in Fort Erie, Ontario. Its sacred groves in 1905, earlier a home for refugees from slavery, became the birth place of the Niagara Movement. It was a forerunner of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP).

Opposition to Ring of Fire Increases

Posted on July 28, 2020

As revelations mount about problems with mercury contamination from the now closed De Beers Victor Diamond Mine in Attawapiskat, opposition to proposed Ring of Fire mining projects soar. Claims by the Wildlands League that the company did not release the monitoring results for mercury contamination at 5 of 9 monitoring wells, received a boost on January 13, 2020, when Justice David A. Thomas ruled that these claims of violation of Ontario environmental laws could proceed to trial.

Rejoignez-nous et regardez votre effet papillon en action !

Posted on July 21, 2020

Il y a quelques semaines, j'ai vu mon premier papillon de la saison. Après un hiver au climat capricieux, et au milieu de la crise sanitaire actuelle, la vue de cette jolie petite créature - d’un orange flamboyant sur l'herbe morne du printemps, avec ses ailes qui battent doucement - a été un baume pour mes yeux et mon cœur. (Ce n’était pas un papillon monarque. Je suis toujours en train de faire des recherches - peut-être était-ce un papillon belle-dame (Vanessa cardui ?))

OPP Makes Its Mind Up Too Soon

Posted on July 9, 2020

The Ontario Provincial Police investigation into the hiring of Carmen D’Angelo as Chief Executive Officer (CAO) of the Niagara Region has taken a new direction. Now that the former CAO and the Regional Councillors who supported him are in the clear, the OPP is pursuing a new target. The new target is Bonnie Lysyk, the Auditor General of Ontario.

Good News for Brampton Bikers

Posted on July 2, 2020

Take action now - City seeking input to build bike lanes and green infrastructure.

The City of Brampton has taken a progressive stance towards active transportation following the increasing interest in cycling seen during the ongoing pandemic. As of April 18, 2020 they have decided to temporarily close off curb lanes for vehicular traffic and, instead, install interim bike lanes along an East West travel corridor.

Devastating News About The Dead Right Whale

Posted on July 1, 2020

It's the saddest news 

We are heartbroken to learn that the dead right whale found off New Jersey this week is actually the first born calf of the 2019/2020 season, and was the very first calf of right whale #3560.

From initial observations, it appears this calf died as a result of propeller and trauma injuries from two separate vessel strikes. According to NOAA, the first injuries were to his head and chest, and the second – and likely fatal injury – was to his tail stock.

Tell Minister of Municipal Affairs to Rescue Freele Tract

Posted on June 22, 2020

One of the great victories of the environmental movement of Ontario is now under attack — the Simcoe County Forests. The system was created under the leadership of Premier E. C. Drury, and his friend Edmund Zavitz, to rescue the Simcoe County from being buried in marching sand wastes. This was triggered by ruthless deforestation. 

The Freele Tract is being defended by a valiant 770-member environmental protection group which should never have had to be organized. It’s called the Friends of Simcoe County Forests. 

Best Practices for Staying Connected to Nature During Covid-19

Posted on June 19, 2020

We find ourselves in unprecedented times. We are working hard to adapt to the new normal and do our part to reduce the spread of the virus. We encourage you to stay connected to nature in what can be difficult and stressful times. Although we cannot be in nature together, we can still enjoy the outdoors apart! Spending time in the fresh air is helpful for mental health and staying active during this time. Here are our best practices for how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly.

1. Stay Up to Date with Local Health Authority Guidelines

Bad Week

Gretchen Fitzgerald — June 6, 2020
blog by Gretchen Fitzgerald

On Wednesday afternoon, we received the decision from the federal court that, while our case questioning the regulation exempting exploratory drilling from impact assessment was serious enough to warrant judicial review, the exemption itself could come into force even as we continue to pursue the case.

Your $10 Can Save 400 Whales

Posted on May 5, 2020

At this very moment, whale mother and calf pairs are heading north to their Canadian home waters.

It’s a perilous time for them, both for the journey north itself, and for what awaits them when they arrive in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Right whales are on the brink. Sierra Club Canada Foundation has been at the forefront in the fight to protect them. We know when proper measures are put in place, whales are protected and fewer whales will die. You can help save the 400 remaining right whales.

We can’t have another summer of losses like we did last year.

Join Us and Watch Your Butterfly Effect In Action!

Posted on April 30, 2020

A few weeks ago, I saw my first butterfly of the season. After a winter of erratic weather, and in the midst of this current health crisis, the sight of this beautiful little creature – its brilliant orange set ablaze against forlorn spring grass, with its wings gently fluttering – was a gift to my eyes and my heart. (It was not a Monarch. I’m still researching – perhaps it was a painted lady (Vanessa cardui?)

Here We Go Again

Posted on March 9, 2020

The Conservation Authorities Act and Wetland Protection on the Chopping Block Once Again

In their last three years of office, the government of Kathleen Wynne conducted two dangerous reviews. One was a review of the Conservation Authorities Act. Another was a review of Ontario’s wetland policies. Now the same threats are coming up in a review of the Conservation Authorities Act by the government of Premier Doug Ford.

Developer Charged With Illegal Cut in Thundering Waters

Posted on February 11, 2020

Photo by Daniel Nardone. Dense blazing star at Thundering Waters facing east towards now illegally cut Riverfront Residential site.

On January 25, 2020, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA), levelled charges against GR Canada, a developer associated with the Riverfront Residential development in Niagara Falls.  These were the second charges levelled against GR Canada for illegally cutting trees on this site within past two years.