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.

Part IV: Boosting Biodiversity by Protecting our Forests, Wetlands & Watersheds

Yvonne Ho — August 28, 2017

This blog is Part IV of a 5-part blog series, as part of our Biodiversity Video Campaign.

"Forests, wetlands and the watersheds they strengthen, are essential players in biodiversity and not only offer us a natural water filtration system, but are essential to the health of the natural environment."

Biodiversity Jenga

The success of ecosystems of any shape, size or type depends on the health of the resources that it relies upon.

Part III: Persevering for our Pollinators

Yvonne Ho — August 11, 2017

This blog is Part III of a 5-part blog series, as part of our Biodiversity Video Campaign.

"Pollinators are responsible for an estimated one out of three bites of food that people eat, which is worth billions of dollars to the North American economy."

The decline of the monarch butterfly and bee population has been a focal point of many conservationists and environmental groups over the past two decades.

Part II: Let’s Get Motivated for Biodiversity by Protecting Canada’s Lands & Freshwater

Yvonne Ho — July 27, 2017


This article Part II of a 5-part blog series, as part of our Biodiversity Video Campaign.

"When ecosystem services are compromised, economic and health impacts such as lower agricultural productivity and lower quality drinking water can result, raising costs for Canadian, industry and governments."


Red Flags Waving for Rouge National Urban Park

Yvonne Ho — July 4, 2017

The 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

Celebrating “National Indigenous Peoples Day”: A step in the right direction

Yvonne Ho — June 21, 2017


The 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, 2017

Almost 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. 

Potential 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, 2017
Decew Falls, St Catharines

The 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, 2017
In 2013, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) proposed to construct, operate, and ultimately decommission and abandon a deep geological repository (DGR) for low- and intermediatelevel radioactive waste. The repository would accommodate waste from commercial nuclear reactors that are owned or operated by OPG, and are located at the Bruce, Pickering, and Darlington sites. 

ACTION ALERT: Act Now to Protect our Greenbelt from Costly Urban Sprawl

Yvonne Ho — March 21, 2017


Going 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. 

The Ontario Greenbelt is a great success, but is its future secure?

Yvonne Ho — February 8, 2017


The 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.