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Blog

Seabirds and Sea Ducks of Labrador

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Happy #WetlandWednesday Meet the Common Garter Sna

Happy #WetlandWednesday Meet the Common Garter Snake🐍

They usually have green, greyish-brown, or black bodies with three light stripes: one down their back and two on the sides. Their scales feel a bit rough because of a ridge in the center.

🌿They can be found in many places across Canada, like wetlands but they can also live in city parks and ditches. They love areas near water, where they hunt for frogs and other food. They arrived in Newfoundland after 2010 and can be spotted on the west coast.

❄️During the winter, garter snakes hibernate together in warm places, away from the frost. In the spring, males hang around these spots to mate with the females when they come out. They are most active during the day and eat things like frogs, earthworms, slugs, fish, small animals, and even bird eggs.

Even though they aren’t originally from Newfoundland, common garter snakes are great at adapting and can live alongside other wildlife and people! Learn more about garter snakes in the province at our public talk on November 21st!

@fisheriesoceanscan

#wetlandwednesday #wetlandappreciation #snakes #reptiles #wetlands #newfoundland

🐸For the month of November we will be spending

🐸For the month of November we will be spending #WetlandWednesday learning more about amphibians and reptiles in the province - and today we are meeting the green frog.

🐍To start, no amphibians or reptiles are native to the island of Newfoundland, although there are a few species found in Labrador (for example the Blue Spotted Salamander).

🪲Green frogs can be green, brown, or olive and often sport dark spots and banded legs. These frogs are active day and night, hunting a wide range of prey, from beetles to other small frogs!

🌿Green frogs are often found in three main types of aquatic habitats: temporary wetlands, streams, and swamps. They prefer areas with high soil moisture, some woody debris, and fewer trees, with water cover being essential.

❄️In the winter they go through what’s called brumation, which means they find a nice spot in mud underwater where the temperature never goes below freezing and there’s plenty of oxygen until spring.

🥚Females lay up to 5,000 eggs in floating clusters, which hatch within a week. Tadpoles overwinter and reach maturity in 1-2 years. They can live 4 to 5 years.

❗️Threats: Though adaptable, green frogs face threats from the loss of wetlands and shorelines that are their habitats to pollution, road mortality, pesticides and herbicides, higher temperatures and diseases like ranavirus.

🐸Green frogs may be common, but they remind us of the importance of preserving wetlands for all wildlife!

#WetlandWednesday
#Wetlands #WetlandAppreciation
#ExploreNL
#NatureNL
#NewfoundlandandLabrador
#Frogs
#Amphibians

@FisheriesOceansCAN @AquaticConservationInititative

Calling all high schoolers in Newfoundland and Lab

Calling all high schoolers in Newfoundland and Labrador! Our Wild Things Scholarship application is now open 🌞

To submit your application you must: 1) Fill out the Application Form on our website and 2) Get a reference to fill out the Reference Form on our website. Deadline is March 31st, 2025.

#ExploreNL #NewfoundlandandandLabrador #NatureNL #NLschools #NLteachers

Unwrap the Gift of Nature on Our Holiday Hike! 🎁

Join our staff and board members for an enchanting guided hike in the woods of Pippy Park and satisfy your curiosity this holiday season! As we meander through the trails, we'll share festive nature tales, and indulge in some delightful seasonal snacks. Don't forget to bundle up for the chilly weather, and remember to pack your holiday spirit. We encourage you to bring a thermos or mug for a warm beverage – it's the perfect way to stay toasty on the trails with some provided hot chocolate! ☕️🌲❄️

This adventure is perfect for all ages, so bring the whole family!

Join us for an afternoon full of insect-fun for ki

Join us for an afternoon full of insect-fun for kids at the Marjorie Mews Library on Thursday, November 21st at 3:30pm. Please note that there's limited seating available and that you need to register in advance.

*Registration is required*
You can register by phone at 737-3020 or email MarjorieMews-Programming@nlpl.ca.

Join Nature NL for our Monthly Public Talk (online

Join Nature NL for our Monthly Public Talk (online only): Gartersnakes in Newfoundland - how did they get here, and how will they affect the native ecosystem?

About the talk:
There are no native reptiles on the island of Newfoundland. In recent years, however, Common Gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) have been observed on the island, with breeding populations documented as far back as 2010.

About the speaker:
Andrea Gigeroff, a PhD student at Laurentian University, seeks to understand where the snakes came from, what they are eating on the island, and whether the behaviour of invasive snakes differs from that of snakes in their native range. Her research will answer questions about how gartersnakes were introduced to the island and how they impact the native ecosystem, and about how invasive species adapt to new habitats.

The Zoom link can be found under the Events tab on Facebook!

Join us for a family-friendly guided hike on Novem

Join us for a family-friendly guided hike on November 16th where we will chat all things nature! We will meet at the Fluvarium parking lot before continuing as a group to the Long Pond Walking Trail. All ages are welcome!

📣We have exciting news! Our team is growing, so

📣We have exciting news! Our team is growing, so we thought proper introductions were in order➡️

[2] Meet our newest team member, Sheridan! As Nature NL’s new Environmental Educator, Sheridan will be running our NatureHood program and several of our public events. #NatureHoodNL

[3] You might have met Alexis at previous Nature NL events - she’s been volunteering with Nature NL since April, 2024. Thanks to @CSCNL and #AMPLIFY2024, Alexis is now joining our team for three months as a Conservation Intern.

[4] Lorna joined Nature NL’s team in October as our first Conservation Intern. She’s working on developing outreach for our various programs. Lorna will be with us until the end of the year. A big thank you to YWCA for supporting this internship!

[5] Abbie joined the team as the Entomology Intern at @The Rooms and Nature NL in May 2024 and will complete their internship in November. Abbie has played a key part in our insect trapping and outreach over the summer. They are now working on further exciting collaborations between The Rooms and Nature NL (stay tuned for announcements).

[6] Our Program Coordinator, Jill, joined Nature NL back in May. She’s our favorite puffinologist and oversees our Waterbird Monitoring Program and works tirelessly on promoting our province’s beautiful wetlands!

[7] Nature NL’s Insect Coordinator Catherine has been part of the team for a while. Catherine has been instrumental in developing our Insect Monitoring Program. She really knows how to Make a Buzz about Bugs.

[8] Our Executive Director, Marie Louise, has been in her role since August 2021, overseeing the multitude of programs and events that Nature NL offers. She has a background in human-environment interactions, which is apparent because she is a pro in fostering nature appreciation and community. Seriously, it’s contagious.

#newfoundlandandlabrador #nature #explorenl #getoutside

This is the last #WetlandWednesday of THIS month.

This is the last #WetlandWednesday of THIS month. Last week we discussed the threats that migratory birds face and this week we are going to talk about how YOU can help -> swipe through to find out!

Every action counts, no matter how small!

📸: @birdtherocknl

#WetlandWednesday
#Wetlands #WetlandAppreciation
#ExploreNL
#NatureNL
#NewfoundlandandLabrador

@FisheriesOceansCAN @AquaticConservationInititative

Over the past few months, Nature NL has been a par

Over the past few months, Nature NL has been a part of the Capacity Check-Up project led by Sustainable Capacity Solutions (SCS)! This initiative focuses on assessing and enhancing the capabilities of environmental groups to advance sustainability efforts.

We are grateful to the Trottier Family Foundation and SCS for enabling our participation and supporting our organizational growth. We will be focusing on implementing new practices and procedures around organizational governance with the support of the services and resources provided by Sustainable Capacity Solutions. As a result of these efforts we hope to see a direct improvement in our work and projects!

Part 4: Our monthly species highlight continues wi

Part 4: Our monthly species highlight continues with threats to migratory birds of Newfoundland and Labrador🐤🦆🐦

Many migratory birds, like the endangered Piping Plover and the vulnerable Lesser Yellowlegs, face serious threats. As human activities increase with urbanization, they’re losing their habitat, pushing these birds to the edge. Wetlands, beaches, and forests—their vital stopover points—are disappearing or becoming polluted with pesticides and waste. 😔

Climate change is also altering their migratory paths, with warming temperatures disrupting ecosystems they depend on. Together, these threats put countless species at risk. Recognizing these threats is the first step to protecting and conserving a species. Check back in next week to see how you can help!

📸: @birdtherocknl

#WetlandWednesday
#Wetlands #WetlandAppreciation
#ExploreNL
#NatureNL
#NewfoundlandandLabrador
#Birds
#NLBirding

@FisheriesOceansCAN @AquaticConservationInititative

Last week Anne Conover shared her experiences hiki

Last week Anne Conover shared her experiences hiking the Appalachian trail for more than 7 years and what it means when the trail is your home 🐾

Anne shared stories about being part of research projects, sleeping on the snow, and what she brings with her on her journey (including pesto!). She told stories about the kindness of the people she met along her way - and how Newfoundlanders and Labradorians were particularly kind (and good at giving direction!) 🫐❄️

A big thank you to everyone who joined us online for an evening full of adventures.

#natureforall #ExploreNL #NatureHoodNL #NatureNL #NewfoundlandandandLabrador

Part 3: Our monthly species highlight continues: m

Part 3: Our monthly species highlight continues: migratory birds of Newfoundland and Labrador!

Meet 3 new feathered characters: the Least sandpiper, the Yellow-bellied flycatcher and the Piping plover.

The Least sandpiper is the smallest member of the sandpiper family, no bigger than a sparrow. Found on the edges of bodies of water, sandy riverbanks, lake shores, and mudflats. Some of them make a nonstop flight over the ocean to northern South America while others move south through the interior of North America, probably with short flights and frequent stops. Large numbers winter in the southern United States.

The Yellow-bellied flycatcher can be found in boreal coniferous forests, bogs, swamps, and peatlands during the breeding season and in dense rainforest, montane evergreen forest, pine-oak forest, and shaded coffee plantations during the winter.

The Piping plover can be found along shorelines. They nest above the high water mark in soft sandy areas with sparse vegetation. In fall, piping plovers migrate south and winter along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and other southern locations.

📸: @birdtherocknl

#WetlandWednesday
#Wetlands #WetlandAppreciation
#ExploreNL
#NatureNL
#NewfoundlandandLabrador
#Birds
#NLBirding

@FisheriesOceansCAN @AquaticConservationInititative

It's World Migratory Bird Day and we wanted to let

It's World Migratory Bird Day and we wanted to let you know about how you can make a conservation difference with each cup of coffee. It's not only organize Fairtrade and Bird Friendly certified coffee - it also supports Nature NL's activities in Newfoundland and Labrador!

Coffee can be purchased using this link (and in our bio): https://www.cafebirdfriendly.org/products/in-support-of-nature-newfoundland-and-labrador

Happening a week from now! Join us for an interes

Happening a week from now!
Join us for an interesting virtual "hike" through the Appalachian Trail. For the past seven and a half years, Anne Conover has been hiking all of these old terranes, working and collecting data, and meeting good folk along the way 🗻

If you're keen on hiking, geology, beautiful landscapes, or just looking for a fascinating adventure story, this talk is for you!

Free to join. Online only (zoom). See our Facebook event for the details.

#NatureNL #natureforall #NatureHoodNL #ExploreNL

Part 2: Our monthly species highlight continues -

Part 2: Our monthly species highlight continues - Newfoundland and Labrador’s migratory birds!

Meet the Semipalmated sandpiper, Eastern kingbird, Swamp sparrow, Wilson’s warbler, Tufted duck, Blue-headed vireo, Semipalmated plover and Northern waterthrush. With the exception of the Tufted duck, these birds will be traveling thousands of kilometers to winter outside of Newfoundland. The Tufted duck often does the opposite, and winters on the island and heads back to Iceland in the springtime.

The Semipalmated sandpiper flies from Newfoundland to South America, which is a 5,000km trip, equivalent to driving from St. John’s to Winnipeg (a 55 hour drive + ferry). They do this massive trip powered by extensive fat reserves.

Groups of sandpipers will stop over at traditional spots on coastal mudflats, where they spend days fattening up for the next leg of migration. Away from the coasts, look for them on wide-open wetlands or muddy edges. Even if a bird lives in coastal areas during the summer, they are likely to use wetlands as crucial habitat during their migration, adding to the long list of why wetlands are important.

📸: bobby_blackmore and @birdtherocknl and @briannaelsie_

#WetlandWednesday #birds #migratorybirds
#Wetlands #WetlandAppreciation
#ExploreNL
#NatureNL
#NewfoundlandandLabrador

@FisheriesOceansCAN @AquaticConservationInititative

Only a week left to apply! Join our team as our ne

Only a week left to apply! Join our team as our new Environmental Educator 🌲🦑🦟🌞🫐🍄

#NatureNL #natureforall

A big thank you to everyone who came out to our cl

A big thank you to everyone who came out to our clean up for World Clean Up Day!

We collected 14 bags of litter at Quidi Vidi Lake!

#cleanup #newfoundland #getoutside

Part 1: October’s species highlight are Newfound

Part 1: October’s species highlight are Newfoundland and Labrador’s migratory birds!🦆🐦🐥🐦‍⬛

🗓️Throughout the month we will be introducing you to some important feathered characters that call Newfoundland home for at least part of the year, the risks they face, and how you can help them!

💧A lot of these species live in and around wetlands, such as bogs, marshes, riverbeds, fens and coastal areas. Some of them even travel as far as the Southern U.S. and South America to winter.

✈️Migration is the annual movement that some animals make between regions where they breed and locations where they spend the rest of the year.

🌤️Migratory birds fly hundreds and thousands of kilometers to find the best habitats for feeding, breeding, and raising their young. This journey is an exhausting one, full of dangers and threats. Tune in every Wednesday in October for more migratory bird facts!

📸: photo 1 and 2 Sean McCann and photo 3 @briannaelsie_

#WetlandWednesday
#Wetlands #WetlandAppreciation
#ExploreNL
#NatureNL
#NewfoundlandandLabrador #birds #birdsnl

@FisheriesOceansCAN @AquaticConservationInititative

Our fantastic #NatureHoodNL Coordinator, Brianna,

Our fantastic #NatureHoodNL Coordinator, Brianna, is off on new adventures. She's been a key part of growing Nature NL's programming and in establishing new partnerships 🌞

Brianna started as a volunteer and moved into the NatureHood Coordinator position in August 2023. She's brought so much to Nature NL with her expertise in wildflowers, birds, and really all-things nature!

Thank you berry much, Brianna 🫐

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