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.

Victories in Freele Tract and Carruthers Creek Headwaters Show Power of Citizen Engagement in Land Use Planning

John Bacher — October 1, 2020

Although the government of Premier Douglas Ford is no Valhalla for environmental protection, two recent decisions in rejecting municipally supported requests for Ministerial Zoning Orders (MZO) show that engaged citizens can wrest positive victories. One MZO request, by the County of Simcoe, would have put a waste transfer station in the 207-acre part of Simcoe County Forest, designated as the Freele Tract. The second by the Town of Pickering, supported by a developer, supported the urbanization of the headwaters of Carruthers Creek.

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.

Devastating News About The Dead Right Whale

Melissa Munro — 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

John Bacher — 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. 

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.

Video - It's Gretchen Fitzgerald's Birthday! Honour her tireless work with a gift to Sierra Club Canada Foundation

Melissa Munro — December 20, 2019
No gifts for Gretchen! But if you would like make a donation to Sierra Club Canada Foundation to honour her work to help save our planet, you would make her birthday wishes come true. (And there's also a little gift for you when you do.)

The First Right Whale Calf Of The 2019-2020 Calving Season

Melissa Munro — December 17, 2019

We are thrilled to announce the safe arrival of the first right whale calf for the 2019-2020 calving season.

Yesterday, this sweet newborn and mother pair were sighted off Sapelo Island off the Georgia coast.

This is the first calf for right whale #3560, and she is 14 years old. There are four other expectant mothers who are being monitored by our allied agencies, and we are hoping that more pregnant mothers have yet to reveal themselves.

Two Ontario Native Communities On Front Lines To Avert Climate Change Disaster

John Bacher — October 4, 2019

The Objiway community of Eabametoong and Cree of Nestantaga in northern Ontario have found themselves on the front lines to avert catastrophe from climate change. They are anticipating a three-year struggle to oppose two new roads planned to accommodate mines in what has become known as Ontario’s Ring of Fire. The battle takes place via co-ordinated federal and provincial Environmental Assessments (EAs).