February 07, 2013
Andrea Bake
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Long ago, English settlers planted a “new” tree species, English walnut, to ensure a supply of their favourite nuts. It seems we’ll never learn from past species introductions that turned into aggressive invasives (i.e. the ever increasing European Starling population at the time – introduced so North America could have all the bird species mentioned in Shakespeare’s works - going from 60 starlings to 150 million invasive pests).
February 06, 2013
Andrea Bake
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At the beginning of each year, a chunk of our population makes a resolution or two for the New Year. The most common? Work out harder, more frequently, or at all. But it isn’t just our bodies that need a bootcamp: the trees on your property need to be kept in shape as well! Pruning a younger tree is essential to ensure it grows up to be structurally strong and able to live a long and healthy life. Here are some points to remember if you want your tree to have a healthy 2013:
February 06, 2013
Visitor (not verified)
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The more I learn about edible trees and plants, the more I want to try them out. When temperatures started to drop, I thought it was the perfect time to try some of our common native trees for my favourite cold weather drink – tea! After a brisk, cold day of working outdoors, I think nothing saves the day more than a mug of hot, delicious tea. This fall and winter, I set aside my fancy, store-bought tea collection to try sumac.
February 01, 2013
Andrea Bake
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It’s the first day of February, and you know what that means… Many of us will soon be glued to our television screens to see if our local groundhog celebrities predicts us an escape from the cold – an early spring. It may be the only time during the year we think about these furry friends, but in reality they have a larger presence in urban environments than you may imagine.
January 31, 2013
Matthew Higginson
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Last fall as Superstorm Sandy hit the east coast like a "chainsaw on methamphetamines," some neighbourhoods lost as much as ninety per cent of their urban forests. And as Sandy passed over the five Boroughs of New York City, 8,500 trees and many more damaged limbs fell into the streets. The mess she left behind and the subsequent flooding upset crucial watersheds, threatening the public water supply. But as soon as the winds died down, residents, rescue teams and even a few folks from above the border were working to restore order.
January 30, 2013
Matthew Higginson
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Haliburton Forest is a large (28,000-hectares), privately owned nature reserve that happens to be the close neighbour of my beloved Algonquin Park. A wide range of educational programs run alongside a pretty substantial forestry operation – there’s always something new to find, but here are my top five reasons to take a trip this year.
January 25, 2013
Andrea Bake
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♪Land of the silver birch, home of the beaver, where still the mighty moose, wanders at will. Blue lake and rocky shore, I will return once more…♪ Words from a traditional Canadian folksong featuring none other than the beautiful and iconic Betula papyrifera, also known as paper birch, white birch, canoe birch, or (in this case) silver birch.
January 14, 2013
Andrea Bake
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Up until a few years ago, I had never heard of the term agroforestry let alone seen it in practice, which is funny since agroforestry is an early farming technique that’s been lost in the last 100+ years to monoculture. Slowly, the tradition of growing trees and shrubs alongside secondary crops and/or livestock is becoming more popular in North America again.
December 21, 2012
Andrea Bake
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My love for horses has shaped my life in amazing ways – they are my peace when life is hectic, a sympathetic ear when I’m frustrated, and a shoulder to cry on when I need one.
December 20, 2012
Janet McKay
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While it’s the time of year to tip our hats to the successes we’ve had in 2012, we also need to look ahead to ensure the coming years will be as fruitful. Executive Director, Janet McKay, takes a moment to ask for your support to help make 2013 just as great.