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.
Wildlife & Natural Spaces

Wildlife & Natural Spaces
Next Steps in progress for our truly amazing Greenbelt!
Yvonne Ho — July 17, 2017"Natural Heritage Systems planning is about maintaining, restoring and enhancing ecologically sustainable and resilient landscapes."
The following article was written by Thaia Jones, Sierra Club Ontario's Greenbelt Campaign Chair.
Red Flags Waving for Rouge National Urban Park
Yvonne Ho — July 4, 2017The following article was written by Stephanie Hulse, Sierra Club Ontario's Environmental Outreach Coordinator.
Did you know that in the heart of Ontario’s Greenbelt - a swath of federal protected conservation land that reaches from Niagara to Northumberland (also known as the Greater Golden Horseshoe) - is a national park under threat from a range of sprawl-related issues?
The case against urban sprawl in Midhurst, Simcoe County
Yvonne Ho — June 23, 2017"The Minesing Wetlands is a haven for wildlife in a denuded and biologically sterile environment, at risk of being washed over by shock waves of urban sprawl unleashed by a storm of developers’ greed."
The following article was written by Elder Danny Beaton of the Mohawk Turtle Clan and an internationally recognized protector of Mother Earth, a
It's finally here: Greenbelt Plan 2017!
Yvonne Ho — June 22, 2017The (Greenbelt Plan's) amendments uphold the Greenbelt's most central legacy: its permanence.
The following article was written by Thaia Jones, Sierra Club Ontario's Greenbelt Campaign Chair.
HERE AT LAST!
Celebrating “National Indigenous Peoples Day”: A step in the right direction
Yvonne Ho — June 21, 2017The following article was written by Stephanie Hulse, Sierra Club Ontario's Environmental Outreach Intern.
Before I begin this blog, I must preface that I will be referring to all non- Indigenous Peoples living in the “land that is now known as Canada” as immigrant settlers.
Wild Child - Helping Nurture Generation N
Gretchen Fitzgerald — June 5, 2017Almost as an antidote to last week's announcement that the US intends to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement, today, June 5th, we celebrate World Environment Day.
Some people have asked for a break from the bad news and the heartache that sometimes comes with caring for our Earth - whether its trying to stop toxic pollution, prevent climate change, or protecting wildlife and wild spaces. For me, a good antidote to the doom and gloom is checking in with our Wild Child programs on PEI and Nova Scotia.
Annual Community Planting at Heart Lake Conservation Area on Saturday, June 3rd
Yvonne Ho — May 29, 2017Potential Revival of Mid-Peninsula Expressway Threatens Ontario's Greenbelt and Local Habitats
Yvonne Ho — May 9, 2017“A Politician only thinks of the next election... A Leader thinks of the next generation.”
Patrick Brown, Ontario PC Leader, has shown support for the shelved Mid-Peninsula Expressway - representing a threat to Ontario's Greenbelt, including some of the local communities, green space, and wildlife habitat that it has been supporting ever since its establishment in 2005.
The following article was written by Dr.
Niagara's Escarpment-Decew Falls Forest, Largest Remaining Woodland in St. Catharines, at Risk of Losing "Natural Area" Designation and Protection
Yvonne Ho — May 7, 2017The Escarpment-Decew Falls Forest - which has been identified as an Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) in the Niagara Region, and is the largest remaining woodland in the City of St. Catharines - has been the subject of a 40-year battle between Brock University and the environmentalists who seek to protect it...
UPDATE: OPG's Proposed Deep Geological Repository Project near Lake Huron rejected by CEAA
Yvonne Ho — April 19, 2017ACTION ALERT: Act Now to Protect our Greenbelt from Costly Urban Sprawl
Yvonne Ho — March 21, 2017Going from Greenbelt to a ‘Swiss Cheese belt’...
On Monday March 20th, the development industry hosted a lobby day at Queen’s Park to drive home the message that land in and around the Greenbelt is essential to avert the growing housing crisis in Toronto and the GTA. However, we know this is not accurate.
A Victory for Farmlands and the Niagara Escarpment
Yvonne Ho — March 15, 2017"Lost Resources equal lost jobs."
The following article was written by Dr. John Bacher of the Preservation of Agricultural Lands Society (PALS), and originally published on The Media Co-op.
Urgent Action: Bees are on the brink!
Melissa Munro — February 11, 2017Take Action Now to Protect Bees from Harmful Pesticides!
-- Due to overwhelming response, Health Canada has extended deadline for comments to March 23rd, 2017 --
ACTION ALERT: Oppose Proposed Reductions in Protected Area of Ontario’s Greenbelt
Yvonne Ho — February 9, 2017The following article was written by Dr. John Bacher, Greenbelt advocate and a member of Sierra Club Ontario.
The Ontario Greenbelt is a great success, but is its future secure?
Yvonne Ho — February 8, 2017The following article was originally published in August 2016 on Sierra Club Canada Foundation's blog.
At almost 2 million acres, it’s the world’s largest permanently protected greenbelt. Dan McDermott, who is just stepping down as Chapter Director of Sierra Ontario after many years, weighs in on the Greenbelt’s successes and his concerns for its future as it reaches the ten-year review point.
What the world needs now is LOVE. And CHOCOLATE.
Melissa Munro — February 7, 2017Need a break from all this discord and rancour?
So do we!
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, let’s pause for moment to celebrate love, friendship and solidarity.
Guest Post: Ontario's Good Fortune - Appreciating the Greenbelt's Natural Capital
Yvonne Ho — February 1, 2017Guest Post: Radioactive Waste... Rolling Through Your Town?
Yvonne Ho — January 26, 2017The following article was originally published on Sierra Club U.S.'s blog, written by Carol Polsgrove.
That truck next to you on the highway may contain “the most radioactively hazardous materials on Earth”.
Remembering Dan McDermott - Former Chapter Director, Sierra Club Ontario
Yvonne Ho — January 20, 2017Dan McDermott (May 6, 1947 - January 4, 2017)
Dan McDermott, Sierra Club Canada’s Ontario Chapter Director for 13 years, passed away peacefully on January 4th 2017. It is wonderful to see his influential life mentioned in these posts, which have featured in the news recently with reflections and thoughts on Dan’s life, what he dedicated it to, and his passing three weeks ago.