Articles

2025-11-24

Summer’s just around the corner. Learn what you can do now to create a watery wonderland at the cottage.

2025-11-24

Driven by their appetite, some animals will use their ability to think ahead to scout out their next meal.

2025-11-24

Bats have been maligned for centuries, miscast as the familiars of witches, associated with Hallowe'en, and feared for the false belief that they will get caught in your hair. In reality, bats are incredibly important to the health of the environment and our gardens.

2025-11-24

<P>When our blood begins to boil under the blazing summer sun, we go to all sorts of lengths to chill out, from taking a dip in a pool to standing in front of the open fridge door. But we aren’t the only ones that need to beat the heat. Animals feel it, too, and though they don’t have a neighbour’s pool for refreshment, they’ve come up with some pretty cool methods of their own.&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

Pollinators have been battling habitat loss and pesticides for some time now, but it turns out bumblebees may be facing the greatest threat of all

2025-11-24

What makes human pregnancy different from our wild friends’? In some cases, not much…

2025-11-24

<p>Stay Warm This Winter—Guilt Free.</p>

2025-11-24

2025-11-24

<p>By Leigh Edgar</p> <p>Once a leader in the fight against climate change, the government of Canada is now lagging behind other developed nations in its efforts to meaningfully address greenhouse gas emissions. And instead of trying to improve its own record, Canada wants to point the finger at other nations instead. <br>&nbsp;</p>

2025-11-24

<P>By Leigh Edgar</P> <P>Extinction isn't exclusive to species on remote tropical islands, or in the lush rainforests of South America. You might be surprised to learn that we’ve lost species in our own country. While the rates and causes of extinction in developed countries differ from those in developing countries, nations like Canada certainly aren't immune to species loss. Species that have gone extinct in Canada largely fell victim to a time when land was being conquered for human settlement, natural resources were being overharvested, and few – if any – conservation laws existed.</P> <P>&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

<P>Pushing to amend Canada’s Navigable Waters Protection Act to strengthen and conserve environmental protection of Canadian waters.&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

<p>News&nbsp;from CWF including past partnerships, promotions and scholarships. &nbsp;</p>

2025-11-24

Let's celebrate how wildlife has impacted Canadian history and culture

2025-11-24

<P>Shrinking and late-forming ice is forcing the polar bears of Churchill, Man., to adopt drastic hunting measures. “There’s nothing much to eat along the Hudson Bay coast in the fall other than other bears,” says biologist Ian Stirling, a retired Environment Canada scientist and leading expert on polar bears.</P>

2025-11-24

Nesting is not so easy for this prairie songbird

2025-11-24

<P>Even though it’s still making headlines, it shouldn’t be news to anyone&nbsp;— kids today are spending too much time inside and not enough time in nature. A recent U.K. study conducted by the National Trust showed that of the 1,651 children surveyed, only half could tell the difference between a bee and a wasp but 90 per cent could identify Yoda. This study focused on U.K. children, but would Canadian kids fare any better? If we can be compared to our neighbours to the south&nbsp;— who have studied this growing disconnect in detail&nbsp;— the answer is no.&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

<p>CWF encourages Canadians to add their voices to the call for allocation of carbon market revenues to conservation.&nbsp;</p>

2025-11-24

Last time we talked about the fishing technique called purse seining – one of the most common means of catching fish in the pelagic (surface and sub-surface) zones of the ocean.

2025-11-24

2025-11-24

<p><strong>By April Overall</strong></p> <p>A tribute to Canada’s floral godmother</p>

2025-11-24

How one youth camp is getting kids excited about the outdoors

2025-11-24

Read these wildlife-related stories about climate change.

2025-11-24

It seems as though people use the terms climate change and global warming interchangeably these days. But they’re not quite the same thing. It’s time to clear the air!

2025-11-24

<P>Picture a beautiful day with sparking sun, cloudless sky and a warm breeze – perfect for a walk in a nearby park. You slip outside and breathe in the fresh air, lightly perfumed from neighbouring gardens. The only sounds are the crunch of gravel beneath your feet and the song of local birds in the treetops. You slowly meander your way through the park when suddenly you see something moving just off the path. At first you think it’s a small cat, but upon closer examination you realize it’s not. You stop and watch mutely as the critter wanders out onto the path. It’s a muskrat! You remain still and silent as the little mammal creeps over the walkway and into the surrounding foliage. After a moment or two, you continue on your stroll, smiling to yourself and watching for any other signs of animal life.&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

<p>From ballet slipper pink to bright blue, the vivid colours of spring are all around us. Stop and take a look!</p>

2025-11-24

<P>By Megan Findlay<BR>You’re ready for summer. You’ve got hotdogs, lemonade and a shady spot in the backyard that’s perfect for lounging. Times should be good...but someone has eaten your hotdogs, and your lemonade tastes suspiciously like shampoo.</P>

2025-11-24

2025-11-24

<p>Adding mulch to your garden is easy, and you&rsquo;ll be surprised by the benefits.</p>

2025-11-24

<p>Launched during National Wildlife Week 2009, CWF&rsquo;s Quebec-based program Pollinators Habitat-Challenge (D&eacute;fi-Habitat Pollinisateurs) has created quite a buzz. The aim of the program is to increase awareness about the decline in the number of pollinators and to encourage the creation of new pollinator habitats.</p>

2025-11-24

<p>Cottages and camping are standard features of Canadian summers and tend to revolve around shoreline areas. A quiet canoe across a misty morning lake, a late afternoon trip trolling for fish, or simply lying quietly on a dock as the water’s tide rocks you to sleep are wonderful ways to spend part of a summer day. But what would those moments be without the hawk silently circling overhead or a dragonfly zipping past as it hunts for insects. Wildlife is an integral part of life in Canada and shorelines are a great place to experience it.</p>

2025-11-24

2025-11-24

<P>Happy Halloween and bon appétit from this month’s Take Five. We’re taking a look at creepy cuisine from around the world!&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

Canadian wildlife that could give Michael Bublé a run for his money

2025-11-24

<P>With over 25 million Canadians caught up in the hustle and bustle of urban life, it’s hard to picture vast spaces of our nation as desolate and wild. But in fact, only 11 per cent of Canada’s 8,886,356 square kilometres of land are privately owned. The remaining 89 per cent is Crown land (also known as public land) and is owned by the federal or provincial government. <BR>&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

<P><BR>Thanks in part to funding provided by the Canadian Wildlife Federation, leading polar bear researcher, Dr. Andrew Derocher and his colleagues, have found that nearly 20 per cent more polar bears are eating less, possibly due to a reduction in their main food source.<BR>&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

2025-11-24

2025-11-24

<p>In an age of urban sprawl, failing infrastructure, polluted water and greenhouse gasses, we are hearing the word &ldquo;sustainability&rdquo; more and more frequently. In fact, it seems that everywhere we look there is a new green or sustainable product on the market. Companies are responding to consumers&rsquo; needs and wants because we are starting to see the effect that products and human activity are having on our planet. For instance, in 1997 Charles J. Moore, a competitive sailor on his journey home from competing in the Transpac sailing race, discovered a vast expanse of floating plastic garbage in the northern Pacific Ocean. His discovery prompted research into the phenomenon. Researchers found that garbage generated worldwide was accumulating in a concentrated area due to the currents of the ocean. It was dubbed the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, also known as the Gyre. It is suspected that thousands of tons of plastic garbage are washed into the Pacific Ocean each year, carried by urban coastal storm water run-off. It has been speculated that the hidden area of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is greater in size than the state of Texas.<br />At our current rate of consumption, human beings are using up the earth's resources one and a half times faster than our planet's capacity for renewal. In order for our children to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle such as the one we have come to appreciate, we need to adopt a sustainable approach in the way we live. Sustainable living simply means preserving our ability to maintain, indefinitely, a way of living.</p>

2025-11-24

How are Animals Affected by Marine Litter?

2025-11-24

<P>O Canada! Our home and native plants – yes you read it right – this year’s National Wildlife Week theme is native plants! What better way to send the message nationwide than through our own national anthem (well, a variation of it at least!)?&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

Will you lend your lake a helping hand this summer?

2025-11-24

CWF meets with DFO to resolve right whale entanglement issues.

2025-11-24

The Tools that are Changing the Face of Wildlife Conservation

2025-11-24

2025-11-24

<P>The hot summer sun heats up the streets of the city, the air is thick and dry and the days of summer will soon be a thing of the past. You need a break – make that a getaway – from the daily grind. But what kind of adventure can you have that’s both easy on the Earth and on your wallet? Save your pocket change and your carbon footprint with ecotourism.&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

In just a few short weeks, songbirds will come flitting back to our backyards, searching for scraps to build their nests. But what happens when it’s built? How do females bond with their chicks? How do chicks get their mother’s attention? We’ve got all the answers. Just keep reading!

2025-11-24

As the weather is getting colder, so too might your mood. Keep reading and let us change your mind about Canada’s cooler months.

2025-11-24

Read these wildlife-related stories on endangered species.

2025-11-24

<p>As a national wildlife conservation organization, the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s overarching objective is to prevent more of Canada’s fish, wildlife and plant species from being at risk. For the 585 species already at some degree of risk in Canada, we aim to reverse the threatening conditions that have lead to their decline.&nbsp;</p>

2025-11-24

<p>The Canadian Wildlife Federation is kicking off the New Year with a new crop of projects to fund. In 2011, the Endangered Species Program is supporting an array of new species – from the tiny Olympia oyster to the gargantuan killer whale. </p>

2025-11-24

<p>Here’s How to Start Cutting Back on Your Water Consumption</p>

2025-11-24

Explore our Stories :: Backyard Habitat

2025-11-24

Canada's Waters

2025-11-24

Explore our Stories :: Climate Change

2025-11-24

Explore our Stories :: Endangered Species

2025-11-24

Explore our Stories :: Flora &amp; Fauna

2025-11-24

See how the Canadian Wildlife Federation is supporting wildlife through funding.

2025-11-24

Explore our Stories :: Gardening

2025-11-24

What’s one of the greatest threats to migratory birds? Read on to find out.

2025-11-24

<p><strong>By April Overall</strong></p> <p>How would you like it if your home suddenly began to shrink? Wildlife across the country is being forced to live in smaller and smaller quarters and they’re paying the price. Read on to learn more.<br><br></p>

2025-11-24

<p>For the black-legged kittiwakes nesting on the steep rocky cliffs around Witless Bay, N.L., a global-scale shift in the atmosphere is personal: Their family planning depends on it. Canadian Wildlife Service scientists have found that the success of kittiwake reproduction depends in large part on the North Atlantic Oscillation — the massive circulation pattern that rules much of the climate of the North Atlantic Ocean. It’s a worrisome find, since climate experts predict climate change will throw the oscillation out of whack.&nbsp;</p>

2025-11-24

Some animals just don’t know how to pick ‘em. Read on to learn all about Canada’s unlucky lovers.

2025-11-24

Let’s celebrate the top dads in the animal kingdom.

2025-11-24

<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Don’t worry — there’s nothing wrong with providing food for birds over the winter, as long as you follow these guidelines.</FONT></P>

2025-11-24

Of the three species of ferret in the world, the Black-footed ferret is the only one native to North America.

2025-11-24

Not all Female Animals Respond to the Showier of the Bunch

2025-11-24

<p>Before You Start Sprinkling Salt on Your Icy Driveway, Read This.</p>

2025-11-24

<P>This month’s Take Five takes a closer look at five renewable energy sources - what they are and how they are being used.&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

<p>This month’s Take Five focuses on Canadian wildlife; five fun species facts from coast to coast!&nbsp;</p>

2025-11-24

<P>With warm patio weather a thing of the past, Mother Nature perks up our dampened spirits with a vivid quilt of rich colours strewn across treetops during the autumn months. How does she work her magic? Read on to learn some facts on the fantastic foliage transformation that occurs each fall!&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

Approximately 260 million tonnes of plastic is produced every year, 10 per cent of which finds its way to our oceans. Nearly 80 per cent of marine litter is ushered into the sea via wind and runoff — litter from our roadways make its way to our streams and rivers and eventually gets dumped into our oceans. The remaining debris that enters our waterways comes from ships. </p>

2025-11-24

2025-11-24

Take a walk on the calm side

2025-11-24

<p>With their destructive effect on Canada’s western landscape, Alberta and B.C.’s wildfires have dominated Canadian headlines this summer. It is hard to see what, if any, good can come from such devastation. But it may surprise you that, despite its seeming fury, fire is a key factor in the continuation of maintenance and the diversity of Canada’s forest ecosystems.&nbsp;</p>

2025-11-24

2025-11-24

On September 23, Grasslands National Park (GNP) in Saskatchewan welcomed 15 new black-footed ferrets courtesy of the Toronto Zoo’s ferret reintroduction program.

2025-11-24

2025-11-24

<p>So often we go about our day, forgetting that ultimately we are all interconnected. Take that banana you just ate. Where did the peel go &mdash; garbage or composter? Let&rsquo;s hope it was the composter. After all, throwing organic material in the garbage adds to the already huge load we put on our landfills.</p>

2025-11-24

Read these wildlife-related gardening stories.

2025-11-24

<p>Landscaping with native wildflowers and grasses for backyard beauty and wildlife is becoming popular in Canada. In an effort to inform Canadians about some of the issues and rationale behind this wonderful, environmentally sustainable approach to landscaping and gardening, the following article presents some food for thought.</p>

2025-11-24

2025-11-24

Let Mother Nature nurture your kids!

2025-11-24

This little owl needs your help. Read on to find out what you can do!

2025-11-24

Six tips for transforming a bat box into a home sweet home

2025-11-24

<p><strong>By Claire Preston</strong></p> <p>The latest and greatest inventions have been inspired by nature. Check them out here!<br /><br /></p>

2025-11-24

<p>Canada&rsquo;s five most endangered habitats &mdash; in words and pictures</p>

2025-11-24

Learn how one Canadian researcher is working to save the bats

2025-11-24

<p>Ontario’s grasslands are home to over 200 native plant and animal species. Sadly, with less than three per cent of the original tall grass prairies remaining, it is also one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world.

2025-11-24

Which Canadian animals have short pregnancies?

2025-11-24

<p><strong>By Claire Preston</strong></p> <p>These five animals make five gruelling treks every year. How do they do it? Keep reading to find out!</p>

2025-11-24

<p>By Sarah Coulber<br>As we move through our day, we make countless moment-to-moment choices that may seem insignificant at the time. Collectively, these choices shape the face of our life, our community, our country and our planet.</p>

2025-11-24

<P>Think you’ve got Casanova’s moves down? Lights down low? Check. Barry crooning? Check. Poured the wine? Check. But how about going the extra mile to impress your eco-conscious chérie? From eco-friendly love notes to organic chocolate, we’ve got the goods to shower your valentine with green tokens of your affection.&nbsp; How do you love your planet? Let’s count the ways you can green your Valentine’s Day.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

This spooky holiday has laid claim to spiders, bats, crows and more. But do they really deserve the bad rap?

2025-11-24

The best news we’ve heard about bats in over nine years! You can help make it even better.

2025-11-24

The federal government announced yesterday as part of the budget that it has allocated $10 million over the next two years to support partnerships to implement fish habitat conservation.

2025-11-24

It won’t be long before they’re buzzing around your garden again. Are you ready for their arrival?

2025-11-24

When technology is more of a hazard than a help for wildlife

2025-11-24

2025-11-24

If you’re feeling more ba-hum-bug than filled with cheer this holiday season, take a cue from our wildlife friends.

2025-11-24

2025-11-24

Animals that build their homes in the subnivean zone

2025-11-24

<p><strong>By Louise Hanlon</strong></p> <p>CWF Celebrates Its First 50 Years of Conservation.</p>

2025-11-24

As the days get longer and the nights grow warm, many animals across the country feel the tug of springtime rituals. They may have the instinct, and they may have the mate—but what happens if they don’t have the habitat?

2025-11-24

The Arctic tundra, a snowy biome that is housed within the Arctic Circle, is characterized by freezing temperatures, strong winds and permafrost. Yet, despite being one of harshest environments on earth, many animals call the Arctic home. So how do animals living in the Arctic, a place that has months of continuous light followed by months of continuous darkness, survive in such a harsh habitat?&nbsp;&nbsp;

2025-11-24

These migrate across the vast ocean without any visible landmarks – in a relatively straight line, no less. How do they do it? Read on to find out!

2025-11-24

<p>You&rsquo;ve got to do something with the tonnes of animal waste the Toronto Zoo. Daniel Bida is helping turn it into green energy</p>

2025-11-24

Learn more about the hummingbird clearwing moth and how to attract it to your gardens!

2025-11-24

<p>&nbsp;Cautioning readers to leave wildlife undisturbed </p>

2025-11-24

2025-11-24

<P>Mountain pine beetle infestation is killing trees at an alarming rate in Western Canada. Once helpful to Canada’s forests, the mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae, has become a hindrance due to Canada’s changing climate. The mountain pine beetle formerly aided new forest growth by getting rid of older, weaker trees and making way for new ones. In previous winters, cold temperatures kept the mountain pine beetles’ population in check, while every spring the smaller surviving population would aid our forests.&nbsp; As the climate is warming on a global scale, the winters that once controlled this population are less harsh allowing the spring population of pine beetle to grow.&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

<P>For our Valentine’s Day edition of Take Five we’re showing you some inspirational wildlife videos that will give you that warm and fuzzy feeling all over! As worries of habitats dwindling, climates changing and threatened species increase, we wanted to take a moment and share some beautiful stories of hope and happiness happening all over the world. Celebrate love and friendship, as these animal companions brighten your day and warm your heart!&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

2025-11-24

<p>This past winter, several members of the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists (MVFN), situated in the northern half of Lanark County in Eastern Ontario, spent a cold wintry Saturday building bluebird boxes. They hope to establish a bluebird trail in the area this spring. The plight of the Eastern Bluebird has long been of interest to naturalists across North America, ever since the 1950s when man almost wiped them out with DDT. Another single deterrent to the successful nesting of these beautiful songsters was the introduction of the European Starling to our continent, a species that spread prolifically a century ago and assumed the bluebird’s natural nesting cavities. Building bluebird boxes and establishing nesting trails has been a constant quest ever since.</p>

2025-11-24

<p>A mysterious fungal infection killing bats in the U.S. has come to Canada. The results will almost certainly be devastating</p>

2025-11-24

<p>Clean water is critical to our wild spaces. So it’s important to practice smart water use in our gardens. Help the environment — and your wallet — with these tips:</p>

2025-11-24

How are marine Arctic animals surviving a changing climate?

2025-11-24

Urban wildlife is adapting to life in the city—sometimes in unexpected ways.

2025-11-24

<P>By Aaron Kylie<BR>Going to the lake is a favourite summer pastime of countless Canadians. And for many, that includes participating in some sort of water sport, from boating to fishing to water skiing. But almost all water sports can adversely affect the environment. </P>

2025-11-24

<p>Even small steps toward greener living have immediate benefits</p>

2025-11-24

The meanest bites in the animal kingdom

2025-11-24

<p>It’s not easy to spot Northern Leopard Frogs in Western Canada anymore. The species, named after a leopard because of the dark spots across its body, has been designated as threatened in Alberta since 1997. It is estimated that Northern Leopard Frog populations in the province have fallen by 60 to 80 per cent over the last 30 years.</p>

2025-11-24

This place is more than just a great outdoor destination.

2025-11-24

<p><strong>By Mahina Perrot</strong></p> <p>When you help wildlife, sometimes you can make a big difference<br><br></p>

2025-11-24

<P>At CWF we took another step to reduce our carbon emissions by installing solar panels on the roof of our Kanata, Ontario office building the spring of 2008.&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

<p>Chances are, you’ve never seen a nooksack dace. This small grey-green fish — no longer than a pencil when fully grown and not much heftier — lives mainly in three creeks in the Nooksack River Basin in British Columbia’s lower Fraser Valley. It was once abundant, moving into freshwater rivers and streams throughout the region following the retreat of the last ice age some 12,000 years ago. But no more. Today it is on the brink of extinction, a victim of habitat loss due to human development.</p>

2025-11-24

The latest in whale conservation? Hearing them out.

2025-11-24

Ever considered living with bats – in your backyard or your home? You may choose to after reading this!

2025-11-24

<p>By Megan Findlay<br />The woods are lovely this time of year: the crunching of leaves underfoot, the myriad of bright colours, the crisp cool air. Could you imagine being robbed of autumn hikes? If climate change continues at its current rate, you may just want to retire your hiking boots, because the forests of tomorrow will look very different from the forests of today. </p>

2025-11-24

What Happens When a Species Goes Extinct?

2025-11-24

Valentine’s Day is headed this way. It’s time to take a look at some sweet stories — WILD style

2025-11-24

<p>If you want to create a natural feel in your garden, add visual interest or simply help your wild neighbours, consider using stumps, logs and rocks. These natural items may be of more use than you think.</p>

2025-11-24

<p><strong>By April Overall</strong></p> <p>Show your cottage some love by making it eco-friendly!<br /><br /></p>

2025-11-24

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Canada’s Very Own Lucky Wildlife

2025-11-24

<p>According to the Audubon, 136 million pounds (61,689 metric tons) of pesticides and chemical fertilizers get dumped into our yards annually. That is seven times the amount our farming community uses! And yet, without considering the side effects, we then let not only our pets but also our children play in this chemtrail environment.</p>

2025-11-24

Diving into CWF’s Work for Water

2025-11-24

Debunking Myths about the Wolverine

2025-11-24

Find out which Canadian females go above and beyond for their young.

2025-11-24

Helping the American Eel

2025-11-24

<p>Make your backyard a haven for migrating wildlife.</p>

2025-11-24

<P>By Pam Logan<BR>We have all been following the news reports about the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that continues to make daily headlines. Millions of gallons of oil have gushed into the Gulf Coast so far, and efforts to slow or stop the flow of oil into these precious waters have been fraught with complications and failure.</P>

2025-11-24

2025-11-24

Find out how crucial mothers are in the animal kingdom just in time for Mother’s Day.

2025-11-24

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2025-11-24

Get the low down on the pesticide wreaking havoc on our pollinators

2025-11-24

They pop up everywhere when the weather mellows out. They come in all shapes and sizes. They are bird nests. And there’s more to them than meets the eye.

2025-11-24

Move over grass, there’s a new gardening trend in town. More and more people are opting to transform their backyards into beneficial meadows.

2025-11-24

<P>The Canadian Wildlife Federation inspires Canadians to take action against climate change. Climb for Change organizers Mary Krupa and Mary Jo Schnepf are climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, to bring global warming awareness to new heights while raising funds for CWF's climate change initiatives.<BR>&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

How one new home buyer is giving wildlife back its habitat one gardening project at a time.

2025-11-24

<p>By April Overall<br />New Year&rsquo;s resolutions. They&rsquo;re a lot to live up to. From vowing to lose weight to resolving to keep your cool when your mother-in-law critiques your cooking, our list of promises s can be daunting. But what if you could adopt one activity into your life that&rsquo;d cover all your resolutions? </p>

2025-11-24

<P>This month’s Take Five focuses on helping you make your New Year’s resolutions for 2009 friendly for the environment and your wallet. Whether you’re turning over a new leaf at home or in the workplace, the green movement is upon us and there’s no better time to go green. If everyone made these small adjustments, the positive impact would resonate to a healthier planet worldwide ― and it can start with you!&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

<p>This month’s <em>Take Five</em> takes you on a journey into the night! As we prepare for a good night’s sleep, which creatures are preparing for an active evening on the prowl? As the days get longer and spring approaches, take a moment to investigate these night hawks!&nbsp;</p>

2025-11-24

<P>Do you remember gazing at the stars when you were a kid and trying to make out the big dipper? Well these days, you’d be lucky to find an eight-year-old who’s seen the big dipper, let alone knows what it is. Thanks to Thomas Edison’s light bulb moment, up to 63 per cent of the world lives in areas where bright city lights outshine the sky’s brightness by 10 per cent. But did you know lighting up the night can actually harm nocturnal animals and wildlife?&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

<p>We were thwarted in our search for salamanders, but Macoun Marsh offered up many more surprises</p>

2025-11-24

<p>By Dr. Joyce Johnson, ND<br>As the days get shorter, thoughts of colder weather usually cross our minds. And winter weather means cold and flu season. Catching a cold really has nothing to do with cold weather. Spending more time indoors during the winter means that viruses are more easily passed hand to hand and through the air. Someone at work or school who has a cold will often unknowingly pass it along through a handshake, sneeze or cough. </p>

2025-11-24

<p><strong>By Annie Langlois </strong></p> <p>This beautiful and fierce whale is at-risk. Read on to learn all about the majestic killer whale.</p>

2025-11-24

<p>Turns out turtles and alligators aren’t the only living creatures that roamed the Earth with the dinosaurs. Dragonflies and damselflies, part of the Odonata order of insects, have been zipping around for over 300 million years.</p>

2025-11-24

Over 500 species of migratory birds stop over in Canada as they make their way to wintering or breeding grounds. En route they face a number of challenges including poor weather, changing climate, a loss of habitat, habitat degradation, pollution, hunting and predation.<p></p>

2025-11-24

In 2009, officials with Environment Canada were tipped to a U.S. investigation into narwhal tusk smuggling that reached across the border — and to an unlikely suspect: a retired RCMP officer. What follows is the inside story of the investigation that ensued and how it led to one of the largest punishments ever under Canadian wildlife law

2025-11-24

In 2009, officials with Environment Canada were tipped to a U.S. investigation into narwhal tusk smuggling that reached across the border — and to an unlikely suspect: a retired RCMP officer. What follows is the inside story of the investigation that ensued and how it led to one of the largest punishments ever under Canadian wildlife law.

2025-11-24

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2025-11-24

<p>Canada is home to thousands of identified native plant species, but more than a quarter of them could be lost forever if we don’t play an active role in their conservation. As an essential element of our natural biodiversity, native plants provide an important source of food and shelter for many Canadian species, including at-risk and endangered wildlife. Commercial development, clear-cutting and an ever increasing human population are causing habitats across the country to disappear at an alarming rate.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

2025-11-24

Pacific populations are dwindling to a scary new low.

2025-11-24

You’ve vowed not to eat farmed salmon, but you’re not really sure how to go about buying wild. Let’s go shopping together, shall we?

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<p>Environment Canada research scientist and guest speaker at CWF’s 2008 Issues Forum, Dr. Nick Lunn, has tracked down the effects of climate change on the Western Hudson Bay polar bear population.</p>

2025-11-24

Which Canadian animals will happily eat the same thing for their whole lives? Keep reading to find out!

2025-11-24

<p>Shop carefully for electronics. Your landfill will thank you</p>

2025-11-24

<P>Did you know that every second breath we take is actually provided by the ocean? Oxygen is just one of the many gifts oceans give to us; they also provide us with food and regulate temperature and climate.</P>

2025-11-24

You can make a serious difference to these pollinators!

2025-11-24

How does pollination really work and what species are in charge of this important job? Keep reading and you’ll learn all that and more.

2025-11-24

<p>By Megan Findlay<br>As the days get longer and the nights grow warm, many animals across the country feel the tug of springtime rituals. They may have the instinct, and they may have the mate—but what happens if they don’t have the habitat?</p>

2025-11-24

Wildlife news from Quebec.

2025-11-24

Canada’s turtles need some help. Find out what you can do!

2025-11-24

<p>Know which species are at-risk? Keep up to date on COSEWIC’s assessments right here with CWF.</p>

2025-11-24

Grab your umbrella and put on your wellies. Let’s chat about April showers!

2025-11-24

<P>Keep an open mind about mice and their cousins</P>

2025-11-24

When snow and freezing rain descend, Canadians’ weapon of choice is rock salt. Trucks spray it on the roads, businesses toss it on the sidewalk, and homeowners sprinkle it on their driveways. You’d never know that eight years ago, Environment Canada declared salt an environmental toxin.

2025-11-24

Witnessing British Columbia’s amazing salmon spawn

2025-11-24

He’s making his list and checking it twice. Can you guess which animals would be at the top of Santa’s naughty and nice list? We’d bet some of these critters would be getting a lump of coal in their stocking this year!

2025-11-24

They May Be the Lions of the Sea, but They Need Our Help More than Ever.

2025-11-24

<P>Are you looking for a fright this Halloween? Look no further than endangered species in Canada. The stats are scary!&nbsp;Did you know that over the past 500 years approximately 30 wildlife species have become extinct in Canada? Or that there are over 500 species considered to be at risk? Talk about scary!</P>

2025-11-24

Great things happen when experts and average Canadians get together with the hopes of conserving our wildlife species.

2025-11-24

<p>After putting your garden to bed, consider these ideas as you peruse seed catalogues and plan purchases for next year</p>

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<p>The largest of the caribou subspecies, the woodland caribou is widely distributed throughout the boreal forest, from the island of Newfoundland to British Columbia. Despite its vast range, the boreal population of woodland caribou is listed as threatened by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and endangered in British Columbia. One of the main reasons numbers are dropping is that fewer calves are surviving their first year of life. The main cause is predation. More calves are being preyed on by wolves and black bears than ever before.</p>

2025-11-24

We challenge you to make your cottage more wildlife-friendly this summer. Are you up to the task?

2025-11-24

<p>A beast of a fish, the basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) is the second largest fish in the world, growing up to 15 metres in length. But due to low birth rates, slow growth, late maturity, small population and ship strikes, the basking shark is at risk.</p>

2025-11-24

<P>Sit, Relax and Stay Wild! Planning a vacation? Don’t forget to visit BBCanada.com to book your wildlife-friendly accommodation!&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

Give your cell a break, get outside and join the CWF Great Canadian Camp Out!

2025-11-24

Tiny yards, patios and even balconies can nurture nature and attract wildlife.&nbsp;

2025-11-24

<p><strong>By April Overall</strong></p> <p>Think birds are low on the totem pole of intelligence? Think again.<br><br></p>

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<P>Climate change sends the opossum into the Great White North.&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

The assessment of 52 wildlife species by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) in November has highlighted a need for more attention to our species at risk. <p></p>

2025-11-24

Notice anyone familiar attending your festive celebrations?

2025-11-24

<p><strong>By Stephanie Poff</strong></p> <p>Celebrate the watersheds in your community!<br /><br /></p>

2025-11-24

<p>The spotted turtle (<em>Clemmys guttata</em>), has 104 populations, all of which call southern Ontario and Quebec home. No matter how tough their shells are, these reptiles are struggling for survival as they are faced with threats such as road mortality, predation, agriculture and pollution. Moreover, habitat destruction and capture for the pet trade are heightened when turtles congregate for breeding in the spring and hibernation in the fall. In the last 40 years, their numbers have declined by 35 per cent, leading the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) to list the species as endangered in 2004.</p>

2025-11-24

<p>The ruffle of a feather, an elaborate dance, long swims on the lake and a noisy serenade; love is in the air for Canadian wildlife. Courtship, mating rituals and even long-term relationships are integral to maintaining healthy species populations in the wild. Although animal courtship may not consist of flowers and candlelit dinners, some species show their romantic sides through both traditional and somewhat bizarre signs of affection.</p>

2025-11-24

<p>We&rsquo;ve done it again! CWF is funding another round of projects for endangered species</p>

2025-11-24

<P>We’ve got spring fever! This season CWF is divvying up its funding between four important wildlife conservation projects.&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

It’s that time of year when we wonder if we’ll we get another few weeks of snow or glimpses of spring. More snow can be fun, after all, who can resist the chance to build one more snow bear?

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Why the Canadian Wildlife Federation is concerned about Chinook Salmon

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<p>The Canadian Wildlife Foundation&rsquo;s Funding Program is happy to announce its new funding projects. In 2011, the Foundation will help hardworking programs as they teach awareness about Canada&rsquo;s wildlife and work to conserve our at-risk species. </p>

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Roosting bats need all the help they can get during the warmer months

2025-11-24

<p><strong>By April Overall</strong></p> <p>Is your city stressing you out? Mother Nature&rsquo;s at the ready for a quick fix.</p>

2025-11-24

<p>&nbsp;Orville Erickson Scholarship winners and PhD candidate at the University of Waterloo Jackie Dawson investigating how climate change will affect polar bear tourism in Churchill, Manitoba. </p>

2025-11-24

<p>By April Overall and Pam Logan</p> <p>With temperatures averaging -20˚C from December to March, it takes real gumption to make your home in the Arctic. But many mammals, birds and aquatic species rely on this climate to survive. So why is some arctic wildlife on the brink of extinction? <br>&nbsp;</p>

2025-11-24

<P>In this month’s edition of Take Five we’ll take you on a tour of Canada’s five hottest cities.</P>

2025-11-24

<p>Winter. Some of us stow ourselves away, drinking hot chocolate by a crackling fire, only emerging from our warm abodes to head to work or stock up on groceries. Others relish the blustery weather, hit the slopes and make the hockey rink their second home. Wildlife is no different. They either embrace the cold or fight it.&nbsp;</p>

2025-11-24

Have you ever wondered how animals catch zzzzzzs?

2025-11-24

<p>Your backyard might be teeming with risks to the songbirds that call it home. </p>

2025-11-24

<P>In celebration of National Wildlife Week, this month’s Take Five is showcasing five of our favourite widespread native plants! Remember, animals in Canada rely on native plants for food and shelter, so use them in your backyard to create a wildlife-friendly space and enhance the natural landscape. Special thanks to Sarah Coulber and Maria MacRae for their expertise and help with this issue of Take Five!&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

<p>Container gardening is presently the fastest growing sector of the gardening world. With decreasing time and space available to many homeowners, container gardening can allow the enjoyment of colourful flowers and foliage throughout the growing season even in the smallest of spaces.</p>

2025-11-24

<p><strong>By April Overall</strong></p> <p>How Shakespeare Introduced Invasive Species to Canada</p>

2025-11-24

<p><strong>By Stephanie Poff</strong></p> <p>Three billions birds call the boreal home. Find out just what makes the boreal such a hot spot for birds.<br><br></p>

2025-11-24

<p>Every autumn, approximately 60 million butterflies fly nearly 2,500 kilometres to central Mexico to escape the cold. But it seems this year’s trek has proven difficult for the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), as it’s had the lowest population levels on record.</p>

2025-11-24

Nine facts that will make you marvel at bees

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<P>A picnic isn’t a picnic without a few unwelcome guests: ants marching over your gingham tablecloth and bees buzzing around the fruit salad. Before you shoo them away, you should know that pollinators, including ants and bees, are responsible for one of every three bites of food you eat.<BR>&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

<p>There’s no doubt Fluffykins is the perfect feline in your home, but once you let him outside he could be terrorizing the neighbourhood. Every year in Canada, 140 million birds and small animals are killed by domestic cats. According to the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, 52 per cent of Canadians own pets, and 49 per cent of these owners have cats. These fluffy felines have big advantages over the competition. Native predators like owls, foxes, hawks and bobcats don’t have the luxury of protection from disease, predation or starvation. Moreover, domestic cats don’t play by the same rules as many native predators. Unlike many native predators, cats aren’t strictly territorial; they go where the prey is, upping their odds of catching more critters.&nbsp;</p>

2025-11-24

<P>In the past century, the average temperature of the Earth has risen by 0.74°C, with devastating consequences. Arctic sea ice levels have declined to record lows, island states in the Pacific face coastal erosion, Australia is experiencing severe droughts and areas of South Africa are already experiencing crop yield reductions. The Earth’s temperature is rising at an alarming rate; the ecological stakes are high and time is rapidly running out. A new climate deal must be struck.<BR>&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

<p>When John Cabot sailed along the coast of Newfoundland in 1497, Atlantic cod (<em>Gadus morhua</em>) were so abundant they could be scooped up in buckets and hoisted aboard.</p>

2025-11-24

<p>By Sarah Jones</p> <p>From spiders to snakes, there are plenty of critters that give people the heebie-jeebies. But why the bad rap? You’d be surprised by how many creepy crawlies are actually beneficial to the environment and heroes in your own backyard.&nbsp;</p>

2025-11-24

Be in the Know About These Harmful Chemicals in Your Backyard

2025-11-24

<p>By April Overall</p> <p>Approximately 4.2 million Canadians brave the nippy weather for the love of winter sports. And with the 2010 Olympic Winter Games just around the corner, Canadians are chomping at the bit to lace up their skates or hit the slopes in the New Year. But climate change is threatening to end all our winter fun.&nbsp;</p>

2025-11-24

In 2017, 12 North Atlantic Right Whales died in Canadian waters. Five more died in U.S. waters. With about 430 individuals remaining, we need to do everything we can to save these precious marine mammals. Can we avoid another catastrophe like last summer?

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<p><strong>By Natalie Gillis</strong></p> <p>Get to know the bugs in your backyard. They&rsquo;re not all bad!</p>

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<P>You’ve spent countless hours digging in the garden and warding off pests, all in the hope of salvaging your prize-winning cucumbers. Naturally, when they grow abundantly, you reach for your mason jars and get to work. We’re not the only ones who appreciate good produce and can’t stand to see it go to waste. Although animals can’t freeze, jar or jam their food, they do manage to store it away to save time and energy during the winter months.&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

How fishermen are becoming the champions in conservation

2025-11-24

How aquatic invasive species worm their way into our waters By Annie Langlois

2025-11-24

<p>By Stephanie Bonner</p> <p>Au revoir. Auf wiedersehen. Sayonara. Don’t you hate goodbyes? The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recently concluded that nearly one-third of species across the globe are threatened with extinction. Are you ready to say farewell?&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

2025-11-24

<p>With its bold and bright orange wings speckled with white dots and lined in a thick black border, the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) might just be the most recognizable butterfly in Canada. </p>

2025-11-24

<p>When most people think of alpine plants, visions of the majestic Rockies, Alps, Andes or Himalayas come to mind. But what about alpines that naturally grow at sea level?</p>

2025-11-24

<p>Every year, key themes come to light when the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada meets to discuss and review species at risk.<b> </b>One of these themes, which has emerged for years now, is the threat that urbanization-related issues pose to wildlife.<b> </b></p><b> </b><p><b></b>&nbsp;</p>

2025-11-24

<p>By Annie Langois<br><br>Think rainforests are exclusive to the Amazon? Think again. Read on to learn why these ecosystems rule and just how far their power extends.</p>

2025-11-24

Why are researchers turning to everyday people like you and I for a helping hand in conservation?

2025-11-24

<p>As a non-migratory species, the northern bottlenose whale’s Scotian Shelf population spends approximately 57 per cent of its time at the entrance of the Gully. The six- to nine-metre mammal is the most curious of all whales and often approaches stationary vessels.</p>

2025-11-24

<p>The Canadian Wildlife Foundation is granting $4,000 to Dr. Don Stewart, professor of biology at Acadia University to gather data on the habitat preferences of two shrew species at risk in Nova Scotia: the North American water shrew and the Maritime shrew. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed both small mammals as of least concern on the IUCN Red List. <br>Maritime Shrew</p>

2025-11-24

Here are some other facts about bats that most people aren’t aware of:</p>

2025-11-24

<P>By April Overall</P> <P>A lesson from your grandpa: “You’ve got it too easy, whippersnapper. When I was your age, I trekked uphill in the snow for 10 kilometres just to get to school!” With modern-day conveniences at our suburban doorstep, the idea might sound outlandish, but perhaps we should stop and take a cue from our elders. Over the last 70 years, people have swapped walking and streetcars for cars and moved from the city to the suburbs. This seemingly innocent trend, urban sprawl, is taking our country’s landscape hostage – all for the sake of a quick buck.&nbsp;</P> <P><BR>&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

<p><strong>By April Overall</strong><br />These slow moving fellas might not be part of the Chinese Zodiac, but conservationists the world over have agreed that turtles need some attention too. The Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) has designated 2011 as the Year of the Turtle.&nbsp; It&rsquo;s hard to imagine that a species that&rsquo;s been around for 220 million years, could be at risk of being wiped off the planet. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN),&nbsp; 47.6 per cent of turtle species are considered threatened. But did you know their battle for survival is taking place in your own backyard? Approximately 20 per cent of turtle species call North America home. It&rsquo;s up to us to keep our turtles safe and sound &ndash; in our lakes, oceans and backyards. </p>

2025-11-24

<p>By April Overall<br>With rising temperatures due to climate change, wildlife is playing a pretty similar game, trying their darndest not to end up burned by climate change. Which animals will be left standing, sans hot potato? We’re betting on these guys. </p>

2025-11-24

<P>“If you don’t take a bag, we’ll give the cost of the bag to the Canadian Wildlife Federation” — reads the sign at the cash register of Naturally You / Uniform Store in Barrie, Ontario.&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

<P>For this month’s edition of Take Five we’ll be highlighting five of the 22 species featured on our new Wild About Small Mammals poster!&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

How do animals know when they should stop hibernating?

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<p>How many species in Canada are endangered or at risk?</p>

2025-11-24

Tips and Tricks: Plant Photo Tips

2025-11-24

<p>This month’s Take Five is the second part of a two month feature on wildlife and where they go during Canadian winters. Some species migrate to different places while others tough it out where they are! For December, we’re looking at some cool facts about the species that stick around.&nbsp;</p>

2025-11-24

<p>This month’s <em>Take Five</em> is the first of a two-part feature about wildlife and where they go during Canadian winters. Some species migrate to different places while others tough it out in the cold! This issue, we’ll be looking at five of Canada’s more colourful migratory species.</p>

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<p><strong>By Stephanie Poff</strong></p> <p>Old trees prove why they deserve to be shown a little respect.<br><br></p>

2025-11-24

<p>By Stacey Scott</p> <p>Every Halloween, troops of tykes make their way door to door in their most terrifying costumes, shouting, “Trick or treat!” in hopes of loading up on candy. But it seems tricks aren’t just for kids after all. Many wild creatures don spooky disguises, too –&nbsp; but for some critters, trickery is their main defence against becoming a treat. &nbsp;</p>

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<p>Belugas in the St. Lawrence area of Quebec live at the southernmost edge of the species’ range and are isolated from other belugas which are found in northern and Arctic waters. </p>

2025-11-24

They’re on the move! How to avoid wildlife on the road this autumn.

2025-11-24

Read these wildlife-related water stories.

2025-11-24

<p>Canada holds more than one-fifth of the Earth’s fresh water resources, all of which reside in the 1,235,000 kilometre² span of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Basin. Without these resources, 40 million people would be without drinking water, including 10 million Canadians and 30 million<br>Americans. Without them, nearly 4,000 species of plants, fish and animals would lose their habitat.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>By April Overall<br>The minute it seems Jack Frost has bid Canada adieu for the year, people across the country make a mass exodus for cottage country. But what if, *gasp*, you’re minus a cottage? Don’t worry. You can bring the cottage to you! Building a pond is just the ticket to creating a serene oasis in your own backyard – equipped with croaking toads to boot.</p>

2025-11-24

<P>In this month’s edition of Take Five we’ll identify five forms of water you’ll find on the Canadian landscape.&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

<p>From the smallest droplet to the tallest glacier, water is considered to be precious worldwide. Not only does it cover nearly 70 per cent of our planet, but most plants and animals consist mainly of water as well. It is the primary source of life for plants, insects and mammals, and is essential to our well being. It is a religious symbol of devotion and purity and plays a large role in the history of Canada. Rivers to Oceans Week, a flagship program of CWF, pays homage to this life giving role of water every June 8 to 14.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

2025-11-24

Canadian willdife news from Western Canada

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<p>By April Overall<br>Every girl likes to be romanced a little. Some flowers. Extra points if they’re her favourite. A dinner out at the city’s latest hot spot. Oh yes. The smooth guy gets the girl for a reason. So guys, if you’re listening, never underestimate the power of romance.&nbsp; Need a little help in the love department? Take a cue from Mother Nature. Some animals are remarkably in synch with their ability to show they care for one another.</p>

2025-11-24

The exotic pet trade is putting wildlife and their habitats at risk. This is a global problem – and one that’s having a negative impact on Canada’s wildlife.

2025-11-24

<p>The killer whale is an iconic Canadian species that instils in many of us a sense of majestic wonder. However, these mammals are under serious pressure, from the quality of water they reside in to the impacts of climate change. It’s no wonder that the killer whale is a species at risk. <br>&nbsp;</p>

2025-11-24

<p>Forget flying saucers and crop circles. We&rsquo;ve got proof that alien invasions are taking place this very moment &ndash; and they&rsquo;re closer to home than you might think!</p>

2025-11-24

As climate change modifies winter conditions, invariably many species will feel an effect.

2025-11-24

<p>Jade Brown lives in London, Ontario. She’s your typical Canadian living a typical life. She’s also proving that anyone can make a difference. Her garden is just off a busy four-lane street, yet it is also a lush wildlife oasis. As more and more of Canada’s wild areas are turned into subdivisions and shopping malls, wildlife, such as migrating songbirds, are relying more heavily on the average garden to meet their basic needs.&nbsp; </p>

2025-11-24

<P>Bats may stow themselves away in caves, mines, attics or barns in preparation for winter, but they could never prepare for what old man winter has had in store for them lately.&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;" lang="EN-GB">Many of the popular plants in today’s gardens are imported from other parts of the world. In fact, there are companies that specialize in going overseas to find new plants to introduce to the North American landscape. Yet native plants are making a comeback, and more and more people are emphasizing them. Why is this taking place?</span></p>

2025-11-24

Read these stories about wildlife.

2025-11-24

<P>For this month’s Take Five, we’re featuring stories of readers’ own wildlife encounters. Lions, tigers and bears – not quite! But we do have a variety of tales for your reading pleasure.&nbsp;</P>

2025-11-24

What happens when a Canadian animal migrates hundreds of kilometres away from home?

2025-11-24

Is wind power the answer to our energy needs?

2025-11-24

<p>How make your garden a cold-weather refuge</p>

2025-11-24

Getting your garden ready for winter is easier than you think!

2025-11-24

<p>North Atlantic blue and right whales are disappearing from our waters. </p>

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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Consider yourself privileged to catch a glimpse of this imperilled species. It is deep yellow with four petals each 2 to 5 cm long; occur in clusters of up to four, blooming in May and early June </FONT></P>

2025-11-24

Individually we are one drop. Together we are an ocean.

2025-11-24

From coast to coast, organizations are coming together to rescue marine animals.

2025-11-24

How can one change make a difference for this delicate butterfly? Read on to find out.

2025-11-24

CWF wants to help you deck the halls…sustainably. Read on and we’ll land you your perfect Christmas tree!