Habitat · Ontario field notes
Why Leaving the Leaves Helps Ontario Backyard Wildlife
Autumn leaves are habitat, not simply yard waste. Discover a practical middle ground between tidy pathways and a living landscape.
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Stories, guides & discoveries
Explore the creatures, plants and seasonal changes that make Ontario backyards extraordinary. Search by subject or browse a category.
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Biodiversity · Ontario field notes
How to Make an Ontario Backyard More Biodiverse
Small yards can provide food, water and shelter for many kinds of life.
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Birds · Ontario field notes
Common Birds You May See in Ontario Backyards
Meet the familiar feathered visitors of Ontario neighbourhoods and learn what attracts them.
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Wildlife · Ontario field notes
Understanding Ontario Backyard Squirrels
From acrobatic leaps to hidden caches, squirrels are an essential part of the backyard story.
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Wildlife · Ontario field notes
Raccoons in Ontario: Smart Neighbours, Safe Boundaries
Learn why raccoons visit urban yards and how to avoid conflict without harming wildlife.
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Composting · Ontario field notes
A Beginner’s Guide to Backyard Composting in Ontario
Turn suitable yard and kitchen scraps into a useful soil amendment, one season at a time.
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Plants · Ontario field notes
Native Plants for an Ontario Wildlife-Friendly Garden
Choose flowers, grasses and shrubs that support local food webs and suit your specific site.
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Biodiversity · Ontario field notes
Bees, Butterflies and Other Backyard Pollinators
Pollinators need more than one summer flower: they need a connected seasonal habitat.
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Trees · Ontario field notes
Trees That Make Ontario Backyards Come Alive
A single healthy tree can offer shade, shelter, food and an entire miniature ecosystem.
Read the story →Lawns · Ontario field notes
Can You Keep a Lawn and Still Help Wildlife?
A neat usable lawn and a wildlife-friendly garden can coexist.
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Seasons · Ontario field notes
What Happens to Ontario Backyard Wildlife in Winter?
A quiet snowy yard is still full of life, much of it hidden.
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Spring Backyard Checklist for Ontario Nature Lovers
Welcome spring while protecting the wildlife that spent winter in your garden.
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An Ontario Autumn Yard That Supports Wildlife
Make a few small fall choices that support biodiversity all winter.
Read the story →Birds · Ontario field notes
Make Your Yard More Bird-Friendly Without Feeding Wildlife
Plants and shelter can help birds without relying entirely on seed feeders.
Read the story →Plants · Ontario field notes
Invasive Plants: What Ontario Gardeners Should Know
Some familiar garden plants can spread beyond the fence and harm local ecosystems.
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Biodiversity · Ontario field notes
Water, Rain Gardens and Backyard Wildlife
Manage rain where it falls while making your landscape more resilient.
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