Activity Corner

Spring cleaning

Although the weather across the country is slowly warming, most plants are still dormant. That makes it a great time to start planning and preparing your garden for spring. Here are our top 10 tips of things you can do to ensure your garden’s ready for spring and all things green. (page 7)

1. Clear away and compost the dead stalks of perennials that provided seeds and cover to birds and other wildlife over the winter but may harbour unwanted diseases and bugs.
2. Prune shrubs and small trees to maintain good form and vigour.
3. Rake lawns to remove winter debris. This also helps aerate the soil to ensure air gets in to the root zone.
4. Start turning over your compost pile. The deteriorated organic material at the bottom of the pile can make great mulch to spread over the garden.
5. Wash summer hummingbird and butterfly feeders thoroughly to avoid the buildup of harmful moulds and bacteria.
6. Clean out bird boxes to avoid diseases and pests, such as mites, that can harm feathered visitors to your garden.
7. Take the time now to plan new beds or revitalize existing ones to get ready for planting in a few weeks’ time. For new or expanded beds, dig areas early and add organic matter (well-rotted compost is great) to improve the soil.
8. Build a bat or bird box to attract new species to your yard.
9. Learn about what plants are native to your area and find out how you can restore a couple of species to your garden.
10. Contact your local gardening or nature club about plants and invasive species that are known to be of concern in your area and avoid buying them. If they already are present, remove them.

Feature story

The future before us

Youth have become an unrelenting force in their mission to use their voices to safeguard biodiversity and the environment. Check out what some of NCC’s young staff are doing. (page 8)

Emily Trendos
Emily Trendos is studying some of Canada’s smallest critters to NCC while completing her PhD. “I’ll be studying the mottled duskywing butterfly, which is an endangered species in Ontario and Manitoba,” she says. “It has very specific habitat requirements, so it’s especially at risk with climate change and other factors.”

Project updates

Our work across the country

Conservation in BC; wetland initiative in NB; critical wildlife habitat in NS; giving back to nature (page 16)

Species profile

Piping plover

This migratory bird’s nesting and wintering areas are under threat and it is now considered endangered in Canada (page 14). Here’s where you can find it in Canada:

Close encounters

Night owls

This barred owl is a large, stocky bird easily identified by its mottled body, dark eyes and yellow beak. See this young barred owl take flight (page 18)