Painted Turtle. Photo © Aarre Ertolahti

Links

Our like-minded conservationists have a desire to educate, protect and enjoy nature. This commitment is shared by many groups and individuals.

This dedicated group helps us by providing opportunities for our members to work collaboratively and to bring local issues to the attention of the province. Together we are a powerful collective voice for conservation. Many of our conservation initiatives would not be possible without the help of the following organizations.


Bird Populations

The Institute for Bird Populations is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation founded by Dr. David DeSante in 1989 to study the causes of bird population declines. IBP’s first major initiative was the Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) program, a continent-wide collaborative network of bird banding stations. Other flagship programs include the Monitoreo de Sobrevivencia Invernal (MoSI) program to study the ecology of Neotropical migrant birds on their wintering grounds, and the Sierra Nevada Bird Observatory to study and conserve birds in the Sierra Nevada region of California. Our work has spread to other parts of the U.S. and the globe, including Canada, the Neotropics, and Pacific Islands.


Birds Canada

Birds Canada is a non-profit, charitable organization built on the enthusiastic contributions of thousands of caring members and volunteer Citizen Scientists. Our mission is to conserve wild birds through sound science, on-the-ground actions, innovative partnerships, public engagement, and science-based advocacy.


Canadian Migration Monitoring Network (CMMN)

CMMN is a large-scale collaborative network of more than 30 bird observatories and research stations across Canada, including the Long Point Bird Observatory and Thunder Cape Bird Observatory. The Long Point Bird Observatory is the oldest bird observatory in the Americas and the founding program of Birds Canada. Thunder Cape Bird Observatory is co-managed by Birds Canada and the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists. The collaborative network also includes Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service.


Casque Isles Hiking Trail

The Casque Isles Trail is an adventurer’s dream come true, and then some—one of the top 10 best hikes in Ontario! This is the must-hike trail in Northwestern Ontario. The trail weaves 53 km (33 miles) along the north shore of Lake Superior, highlighting some of the most stunning vistas of Lake Superior, and linking the communities of Terrace Bay, Schreiber and Rossport together. You’ll be swept away as you hike from one beautiful bay to the next. Signed and groomed by the passionate volunteers of the Casques Isles Hiking Club, the Casque Isles Trail is an important section for both The Great Trail and the Voyageur Hiking Trail.


City of Thunder Bay Botanical Conservatory

The City of Thunder Bay’s Centennial Botanical Conservatory is accessible to all and is a great place to visit year round. The Conservatory was opened in 1967 by the Fort William Parks Board as a Centennial project, and it is a legacy to the citizens of Thunder Bay. The cactus house and east wing are currently closed to the public – we regret the inconvenience. The plants are easily visible from the two access doors in the tropical house.


EcoSuperior

EcoSuperior is an incorporated not-for-profit organization, operated by a volunteer board of directors. We are partnership based and supported entirely through fee-for-service projects delivered for municipal, provincial and federal governments as well as corporate sponsors and other funding agencies. We offer a wide range of programs and services, from community and school presentations to information resources and a growing retail operation of eco-friendly products. We provide services such as classroom presentations, home energy evaluations and lunch ‘n learn sessions for workplaces. Volunteers are always welcome to participate in many different activities. Our staff are actively involved in community events and committees. EcoSuperior is a member of Green Communities Canada, EarthCare Thunder Bay, Volunteer Thunder Bay and the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce.


Environment and Climate Change Canada

Environment and Climate Change Canada informs Canadians about protecting and conserving our natural heritage, and ensuring a clean, safe and sustainable environment for present and future generations.


Hawk Migration Association of North America

The Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA) is committed to the scientific study, enjoyment, and appreciation of raptor migration.


IISD Experimental Lakes Area

IISD Experimental Lakes Area is the world’s freshwater laboratory—the only place in the world where scientists can manipulate real lakes to understand what human activity does to fresh water.


iNaturalist

Every observation can contribute to biodiversity science, from the rarest butterfly to the most common backyard weed. We share your findings with scientific data repositories like the Global Biodiversity Information Facility to help scientists find and use your data. All you have to do is observe.


Lakehead Herbarium (Claude E. Garton Herbarium)

The Claude Garton Herbarium is located on the third floor (CB3027) of the Centennial Building at Lakehead University. It was established in 1967 and given the universal herbarium code of LKHD. The present and future focus is to keep it as a regional herbarium of Northwestern Ontario. The regional collection is being photographed (see the Collections pages). However, through exchanges in the past, the Herbarium has specimens from other regions of Canada and many other parts of the world. The Claude Garton Herbarium is open to the public (call or e-mail to confirm hours of operation). Kristi Dysievick is the present curator. Loans of specimens are usually reserved for institutions that are carrying out research such as plant distributions and taxonomic revisions.


Lakehead Region Conservation Authority

The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority (LRCA) is a community-based environmental agency that provides value-added services to our watershed residents. We are responsible for the wise management of renewable natural resources in our watershed. Conservation Authorities undertake a broad range of programs, including: watershed management, erosion control, flood forecasting & warning, recreation, water level monitoring, plan input & review, environmental education and stewardship. We improve quality of life by actively providing Conservation Areas for semi-passive recreation and environmental education opportunities.


McKellar Island Bird Observatory (MIBO)

McKellar Island Bird Observatory is a place where migrating birds are counted and banded. We welcome visitors: come out and experience two net runs with ornithologists and see how birds are captured, banded and released. Closed when raining. An array of mist-nets is used to capture birds along a trail through the woods to sample the demographics of bird populations migrating through the area spring and fall. Birds are banded and promptly released. Volunteers help with the bird research and interact with visitors. Visitors will have the opportunity to see wild birds in the hand as they are removed from nets, banded, documented and released. Visitors will have the opportunity to interact with volunteers & researchers in the field. We are a registered charity, we do not charge admission though donations in lieu of admission are welcome.


Nature Conservancy of America

Founded in the U.S. through grassroots action in 1951, The Nature Conservancy has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than a million members and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and over 400 scientists, we impact conservation in 72 countries and territories: 38 by direct conservation impact and 34 through partners.


Nature Conservancy of Canada

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) works to protect our country’s most precious natural places. Proudly Canadian, we empower people to safeguard the lands and waters that sustain life.


NatureWatch

Do you like to explore and examine the natural world? Want to be a citizen scientist? Are you interested in joining researchers and nature enthusiasts from across Canada in tracking rapid changes in our natural environment? NatureWatch is your home page for fun, easy-to-use environmental monitoring programs that encourage you to learn about the environment while gathering the information that scientists need to monitor and protect it. NatureWatch monitoring program are suitable for all levels and interests, designed to develop your scientific observation and data collection skills so that you can actively contribute to scientific understanding of Canada’s environment.


Ontario Bird Banding Association

is Canada’s oldest banding organization. OBBA is a non-profit, membership-driven and inclusive organization representing the interests of all amateur and ‘professional’ bird banders across Ontario, from organized bird observatories and academic institutions to educational and rehab banders.


Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO)

Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) is dedicated to the study of bird life in Ontario. It was formed in 1982 to unify the growing numbers of field ornithologists across the province and to provide a forum for ideas and information among its members, who now number over 1,000. OFO was incorporated in 1987. All donations to OFO (not including annual membership fees) are tax deductible and help to further field ornithology in Ontario.


Ontario Land Trust Alliance

Ontario Land Trust Alliance (OLTA) empowers and supports highly effective, well-governed land trusts that engage their communities in land conservation. OLTA builds capacity through training and educational programs; connecting land trusts to each other, resources and their communities; leading and supporting on-the-ground conservation work; sharing knowledge and best practices, reducing financial barriers to land conservation, promoting organizational excellence, providing access to current research and acting as a voice for land trusts among the public, governments and other stakeholders. Our impact is Ontario-wide through at least 50 connected charities and communities.


Ontario Nature

Ontario Nature is a conservation organization that protects wild species and spaces through conservation, education and public engagement. A registered charity (# 10737 8952 RR0001), Ontario Nature represents more than 30,000 members and supporters, and more than 150 member groups from across Ontario.


Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas

Ontario is a vast province, rich in biodiversity. Yet every year, more plants and animals are added to Ontario’s list of species at risk, which now numbers more than 200. Ontario Nature is actively involved in research, public education and policy work on their behalf.


The McLean Foundation

The McLean Foundation was established in 1945 by the late Mr. James Stanley (J.S.) McLean, president of Canada Packers, with an initial gift of $505,400. J.S. McLean made additional gifts from time to time until his death on September 1st, 1954. These gifts, augmented by a bequest under his will, totalled $1,301,000.

J.S. and Edith McLean were avid supporters of numerous charitable causes, particularly in the areas of social welfare, education, environmental conservation and the arts.  


Thunder Bay Hiking Association

The Thunder Bay Hiking Association (TBHA) is a non-profit volunteer organization that promotes hiking, canoeing/kayaking, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing in the Thunder Bay area, Northwestern Ontario, and as well Northern Minnesota.