Good to Know

  LET'S PROTECT THE RIBBON OF LIFE  A-h-h The Cottage Life! Everyone loves the idea of a cottage where we can revel in nature's splendour. Before we rip out all the native flora, create fertilizer- dependent lawns, pave the driveways, and plant a garden of similar ornamentals we need to question the value and purpose of the original, native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. FFish Need the Ribbon of Life Over 90% of the aquatic life, such as all kinds of fish, that lives in rivers, lakes, and ponds depend on shorelines, deemed to be some of the richest and most productive ecological land on Earth, for their survival! This jumble of shrubs, trees, reeds, cattails, and native wildflowers known as the Ribbon of Life provides food, shelter, protection, and spawning areas for all kinds of aquatic animals in the lake and along the shoreline. Protect the Web of Life Each species is a thread in the intricate food web and each thread relies on other species an

Support Bill Glover's Bill to Enact Bird_Friendly Building Design Standards   Here in Canada we have 696 species of birds. 314 of those species will be seriously threatened by climate change by the end of this century So we need to take action to protect as many birds as possible by enacting any legislation that can protect them. Here in Canada over 2.5 million birds are killed each and every single year from low to tall buildings. The benefits of birds to al of us cannot be overstated. Scientists tell us that birds eat around 500 million of tons of insects including 15 million larvae every single year! These insects and larvae could potentially destroy countless acres of crops around the world.   92% of woody plants are grown from the seeds dropped by birds in their poop!   182 species are edible 85 species are used for timber 153 species are medicinal  plants 156 species are ornamental  Here is an  example of the value of the seed dispersal services of a sing

  HOW I CAN BECOME A BIRD FRIENDLY CITIZEN -JOIN NATURE BARRIE The Brereton Field Naturalists' Club (Nature Barrie )  of Barrie is a group of friendly people whose aim is to enjoy and work diligently to protect, maintain, and enhance our natural heritage and to share our findings.                                                                                     The Breretons advocate for the protection of significant green spaces and corridors. They monitor and advise the city on the management of its woodlands bordering Little Lake. I They work with the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority to manage Minesing Wetlands, an International Ramsar site and provincially significant wetland complex, support MTM Conservation Association in managing provincial wildlife areas at Marl Lake, Tiny Marsh and Matchedash Bay (another Ramsar site), and support local Rails-to-Trails organizations. They partner with other community organizations such