This blog was originally published by Ontario Nature. Guest blog by Anne Bell, Director of Conservation and Education at Ontario Nature.

Ontario Nature reveals government failure: Ontario’s record on protecting species at risk is devastating for wildlife

The Auditor General of Ontario’s report, Protecting and Recovering Species at Risk, is not reading for the faint of heart. Released on November 22, 2021, the audit sets out in excruciating detail the Government of Ontario’s abject failure to exercise its duty to protect the province’s most vulnerable plants and animals.

Wild Wednesday: Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre shares what you need to know about bird flu and how they are coping

This year my conversation about conservation with the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre (OVWBCC) team flew me in a different direction. Wildlife rescue is serious business. It's even more so when navigating a contagious viral infection like H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), more commonly referred to as avian flu or 'bird flu.'

Guest blog: What do I do if my dog and I encounter wildlife on a hike?

Summer is at our doorstep and it's officially Wild About Wildlife Month- we all know what that means! It’s time to get outdoors, so put on your swimmers and jump in a lake, or grab those boots and hit the trail! Of course, you want to include your pooch in your summer shenanigans. Hiking with your dog is a great way to exercise and bond with your best friend.

Wild Wednesday: Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is rehabilitating five adorable moose calves

When I reached out to my fur-iends at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and asked “Do you have any interesting animals in your care that I can feature for Wild About Wildlife Month?” their response was most amoosing! 

July is Wild About Wildlife Month: Wild Wednesday celebrates local wildlife conservation

We are living in truly wild times. I'm excited to get wild for all the right reasons because July is Wild About Wildlife Month! This month Paws For Reaction will show appreciation for local wildlife rescue workers and conservation centres. Veterinary professionals, scientists, nature conservationists, and countless invaluable volunteers in the Ottawa region are working hard to protect biodiversity and save and support wildlife in need. They are launching stewardship programs, repopulating endangered species, educating the public, fighting for protected lands, and rehabilitating wildlife at sanctuaries. They are working long hours, throughout the pandemic, and making sacrifices because they care deeply for animals. They are committed to rewilding as many animals as possible. Their dedication to nature and the survival of local wildlife should be seen as a dedication to our community and the future of the planet- because it is. I sometimes wonder if these incredible folks know how far their kindness reaches and the impact they make? The difference they make in their conservation centres makes a positive impact on our nation and the planet. Thank you. You are changing the world. 

Paws For Reaction: The blog, the dog, and so much more!

Graphic by DeliveryRank

It's always nice to be appreciated! It has been such an exciting year for Hazel and me. We are celebrating the 10th anniversary of Paws For Reaction. To make us feel extra special, the folks at DeliveryRank interviewed me about Paws For Reaction: the past, present and future of my Ottawa dog blog. 

Northern art: Artist Robbie Craig visits Ottawa to showcase Canadian inspired art

Canadian artist Robbie Craig is bringing some much-needed northern inspiration to the chill out this Ottawa heatwave! Robbie Craig's Northern Projects will host an art show on Saturday, August 21st from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Sunday, August 22nd from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Craig is based in the Northwest Territories so it's always exciting when his art is showcased in the nation's capital. His wildlife and landscape artwork has a very distinct Canadian style, bringing to life indigenous animals and capturing real locations and natural wonders like the northern lights.

Thank you for celebrating Wild About Wildlife Month: Wild Wednesday raised awareness about local wildlife conservation

I went a little wild this month. July is Wild About Wildlife Month, so there's no better time to go wild! As always, I'm sad Wild Wednesday is over. I enjoy reconnecting with local wildlife conservationists and learning about all the animals they rescued over the year. They are working night and day to re-wild animals, and I hope by sharing their stories, I can help re-wild some humans. We need to strengthen our connection with wildlife and the natural world if we are going to stand a chance against human-caused climate change and the extreme weather events, species loss, and destruction to biodiversity that comes along with it. Are you ready to get re-wild?

Wild Wednesday: The pandemic won't stop Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary from rewilding animals 

When I was on the phone with Linda Laurus, Executive Director for Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, she asked me to hold for a moment. I could hear the concern in her voice when she told me she had to check on a squirrel. She could see the squirrel in his cage and was afraid he was injured. After a few moments she came back on the phone and told me everything is alright, he just had some nuts in his mouth. From where she was standing it looked like he was swollen. I couldn't help but laugh, certain I'd just experienced a glimmer of the ups and downs of working with wildlife. 

Wild Wednesday: Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is keeping wildlife wild and bears beary happy

Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is going big things with big wildlife! Since we featured the Sanctuary last year on Wild Wednesday, the team has built new enclosures for some of their furry permanent residents, including three adorable bears named Clyde, Paddington, and Honey Pot. I dusted my paws off and caught up with Linda Glimps, Executive Director at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary to learn more about their appropriately named bears and other recent achievements since the last Wild About Wildlife Month.

 Wild Wednesday: Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre is spreading its wings and flying to a new location

We wake to their song and watch their beauty paint the sky. Birds are a part of our everyday life. We may go months without seeing other wildlife, but not a day does by that we don't see several different species of birds. Injured and orphaned birds require very specific care, and when a bird is in need the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre (OVWBCC) swoops in and takes it under its wing. 

Whimsy in the wild: Modern Flower Child connects nature and fashion  

Photos via Modern Flower Child. This post contains affiliate links.

I wear my love for nature like I wear my heart; on my sleeve. When I discovered Modern Flower Child jewelry, I had the opportunity to literally wear nature on my sleeve. I purchased a beautiful bracelet filled with real flowers, frozen in time and resin. It's one of my most cherished pieces. Modern Flower Child is my go-to shop for gift giving. A few years ago I even hosted a Modern Flower Child bracelet giveaway! Chasing Whimsies wouldn't be complete without featuring my favourite nature-loving maker. Are you ready for something magical?

July is Wild About Wildlife Month: Wild Wednesday celebrates local wildlife conservation

Are you feeling wild? You should be! Wednesday is Wild About Wildlife Month! Paws For Reaction is showing some love for local wildlife rescue workers! Veterinary professionals, scientists, nature conservationists, and volunteers in the Ottawa region are working hard to save and support wildlife in need. They are launching stewardship programs, repopulating endangered species, fighting for protected lands, and rehabilitating wildlife at sanctuaries. Their hard work and dedication is vital to the survival of local wildlife. 

Brown bag goes green: One Tree Planted for every compostable bag of Northern Biscuits to lower your carbon pawprint

Looking for a way to reduce your carbon pawprint that your dog will wag her tail about? Hazel's favourite Canadian dog treat company Northern Biscuit is celebrating Earth Month with a drool-worthy promotion. For every 1.36kg compostable bag of their five top-selling biscuits purchased in April, Northern Biscuits will plant a tree with One Tree Planted, a non-profit global re-forestation organization. The trees planted for this promotion will focus on Canadian regions to help promote cleaner air and support biodiversity. Forests provide habitat to over 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity, and while this biodiversity doesn't include dogs, our dogs will be happy to explore the forest and snack on Northern Biscuits- all to help the planet.

Earth Day children's book list: Picture books about climate change for the next generation of environmental activists
    

Books are one of the most reused items in existence. We buy used books, borrow books from friends, and donate old books we've read already. E-books and audiobooks are sustainable and waste-free. Literature is important, but it can also be eco-friendly- especially when the book you are reading is all about caring for the planet. Getting people engaged with environmental action at a young age is the best way to ensure a sustainable future. Why not engage children during storytime?

Empowering females of the future: The feminist past and female future of Girl Guides 

The name Brownies was officially changed to Embers in 2023.

GUIDER (noun) /gahyder/ Catalyst of girl empowerment. That's what's written on the new shirt I ordered from the Girl Guides of Canada store and I wear it proudly as I write this. Girl Guides is exactly that for me: How I empower the next generation of female leaders. Is there a more fitting topic for International Women's Day? I began my journey as a Brownie and Girl Guide before becoming Guider (unit leader) to an amazing group of Brownies (known as Embers as of 2023). Being a Guider is a big responsibility. The Guiding movement's past is rooted in feminism. Some people don't like the word feminism, but the definition is the belief that women should have equal rights. I can't imagine anyone being fundamentally against that. Girl Guides is the feminist movement all girls should be involved with. On this special day of celebrating women's equality, I want to share with you why your girls should join Girl Guides.

URGENT ACTION NEEDED: This just in from Ontario Nature, we need to save wetlands in Pickering
 

Developers are looking to destroy a large Provincially Significant Wetland in Pickering to make room for a warehousing facility. This is unacceptable but if we act fast we may be able to save these wetlands. 

The regular person’s guide to becoming a climate activist

I’ve always felt a deep connection to nature. Growing up I was passionate about aquatic life and had an interest in wildlife extinction. I used to drag my little sister to the stream behind our housing development and collect samples to analyze. We would catch frogs and collect algae. Mostly we would get covered in mud despite my mother’s strict instructions to ‘not get dirty.’ I decided I was going to be a marine biologist when I grew up, long before my dreams of being a writer surfaced. The problem was I didn’t excel in science and math and I knew my grades would never reflect my passion. I had to set my scientist dreams aside. It was clear to me that my talents were limited to pen and paper. But my connection to nature never went away, and as I grew, that connection grew with me. I became aware of climate change and the harm humanity is inflicting on the planet and that the list of extinct animals is getting longer. I couldn’t sit back and watch without doing something. But what could I do? I’m just a regular person.

 Do you have a story to tell? Share your story on Paws For Reaction

This year more than ever, I've been providing an outlet for people in the community to share their stories. I've teamed up with some wonderful and interesting guest bloggers, interviewed experts in their fields, and supported different organizations. I want to keep expanding upon that. That being said, Paws For Reaction is looking for new guest bloggers!