DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard SCUGOG: The winding waters of the Nonquon River will once again come alive with paddlers, spectators and volunteers, when the 56th annual Canoe the Nonquon takes place, on Saturday, June 6th. What began in 1969 as a fundraiser, organized by the Lake Scugog Historical Society, continues today as one of the region’s most recognized sporting traditions, raising funds in support of Scugog Shores Museum Village. S

by Geoffrey Carpentier It’s May, and most of our migrants are back already, setting up territories, finding mates and getting ready to start the next generation of their species. Many of our migrants, most in fact, spend the winter in South and Central America and make the perilous journey, twice annually, north to south then back again in the autumn. With their return each spring, they do bring joy and colour to our lives, after we’ve enjoyed (?) our own, long cold winters.

by Helen Nicolaou The month of May has certainly been busy, with garden centres having gardeners choosing annuals to bring colour into their gardens. Sunny dandelions have brightened up our lawns, providing native pollinators with some of the first important food sources. The early spring perennials have bloomed, and now the landscapes are dotted with fruit tree blossoms and the scent of lilacs filling the air. Thanks to those hard-working members who came out on May 4th to t

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard SCUGOG: The sounds of spring returning to the countryside are some of the things seven-year-old Eva Giancoulos loves most about the outdoors. From spotting frogs and toads to watching baby animals emerge each spring, the Prince Albert Public School student has developed a deep appreciation for nature and wildlife at a young age, something which has now helped her advance to the quarterfinals of the North American Jr. Ranger competition. Eva recently

by Geoffrey Carpentier Without any exaggeration, our birds and many other wild things are under siege and face a battle they really can’t win, without help. Sounds gloomy? Well, it actually is! Canada’s wild landscapes, from the Arctic tundra to the temperate rainforests of British Columbia, to our own Great Lakes and the vibrant rocky eastern coast, serve as a critical nursery for billions of birds. Over 450 species of birds call Canada home, for at least part of the year, a

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: More frequent wastewater bypasses, in Fenelon Falls, are prompting renewed calls for action at the municipal level, with councillors asking staff to investigate additional ways to reduce overflows, before major upgrades are scheduled later this decade. During a Committee of the Whole meeting, on May 5th, members received a memorandum from Mike Perry, requesting staff examine options for reduci

By Geoff Carpentier Each spring, as the snow melts and seasonal rains soak the landscape, shallow pools appear in depressions, within forests and meadows. These short-lived waters, known as vernal ponds, may last only a few weeks or months. Yet during their brief lives, they become some of the most biologically productive and important habitats in temperate ecosystems. Vernal ponds are seasonal wetlands which typically appear in late winter or early spring and dry up by mid t

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Floodwaters are surging through communities across the region, leaving a trail of damage, emergency rescues, and anxious residents along the Burnt River and beyond. In the Burnt River area, homes and cottages, particularly downstream from the village, have been inundated, as water levels continue to rise. Roads have disappeared beneath the floodwaters, while Wrex Road effectively turned into a

JAY THIBERT NDN UXBRIDGE: For years, the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority (TRCA) has been monitoring the aquatic community, within the Lower Don River, gathering valuable data on the health of local fish populations. As the Don Mouth Naturalization Project (DMNP) nears completion, these ongoing monitoring efforts are critical in understanding the project’s impact on the area. Bryann Coey will present an overview of the project, focusing on TRCA’s long-term monitoring o

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard BROCK: The 29th annual Sunderland Maple Syrup Festival is set to bring the sweet taste of tradition back to the heart of Sunderland, on Saturday, April 11th, and Sunday, April 12th. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., each day, visitors can take in a full weekend of maple-themed festivities, including: a bustling outdoor vendor market, live entertainment, hands-on demonstrations, and family-friendly attractions spread throughout the community. “The Sunderland

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: With spring finally settling in across the community, the familiar signs of the season, melting snowbanks, budding trees, and returning wildlife, also bring a renewed focus on caring for the local environment. That spirit will take centre stage during Earth Week, running April 19th to 25th, and culminating with Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22nd. This year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” em

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard BLACKSTOCK: Residents and businesses in the Hamlet of Blackstock are being asked to limit water use as the Regional Municipality of Durham implements temporary conservation measures in support of ongoing infrastructure work. The advisory applies to all municipal water users in Blackstock, located in the Township of Scugog, from March 27th through April 27th, though officials note that unfavourable weather conditions could affect the project timelin

KAWARTHA LAKES: In an effort to mitigate fire hazards, Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service has issued its annual April burn ban. The burn ban will be in effect as of 12 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1st. During this period, all Regular Annual Burn Permits will be temporarily suspended, in adherence to both April's annual burn ban and any municipal-wide burn bans in effect. Exceptions to the burn ban may include Agricultural or Special Burn Permits, though strict adherence to safet

by Geoffrey Carpentier A few years ago, a cloud was just that, a cloud. Now it seems it’s actually a remote computer which mysteriously stores any information I wish to entrust to it. While we may not understand it, if you’ve ever saved a photo to ‘the cloud,’ streamed a movie on Netflix, or backed up your phone, you’ve used the ‘cloud.’ The term sounds nebulous and abstract, as if your data floats somewhere above the Earth, but in reality, the cloud is firmly grounded in bui

by Helen Nicolaou At last, it's official, Spring arrived, as of Friday, March 20th. Quickly, our minds begin to make notes, prioritizing garden duties. Carefully assessing the yard will help to decide which areas need attention. The melted snow reminds us of the unfinished jobs, such as the fallen leaves which had been covered by the early snowfall, last November. Just a reminder, it's good to wait and leave the fallen leaves as cover for the sleeping pollinators until they a

by Geoffrey Carpentier As the cold of winter slowly abandons our landscape, something exciting is happening. Although unseen, we can enjoy the pleasure and taste of this annual event for months afterward. The sap is running, and so begins the task of making Canada’s famous maple syrup! Beginning as a clear, slightly sweet sap from the sugar maple, weather, patience and time, and generations of practice are needed to ensure the maple syrup is perfect! From late February to ear

by Jay Thibert NDN SCUGOG: All around us, creatures are conducting their lives, many largely unseen. Who has observed amorous salamanders, piscine stonemasons, or crooning tree crickets? We are more aware of birds and the larger mammals, but there are a host of animals which are active underwater or after dark and are seldom noticed. Others use camouflage to conceal their presence. Everyone is welcome to North Durham Nature’s March talk, to hear Don Scallen share stories

Kate Dickson, The Land Between KAWARTHA LAKES : Residents, who spend time on the land, are being invited to share what they’re seeing in local forests, wetlands, and waterways at an upcoming community event, focused on environmental change. The The Land Between, working with Indigenous partners, is hosting a series of Talking Circles this spring, aimed at gathering community observations about shifting conditions across the region’s ecosystems. Organizers say, people who live

BRANDON CLARK The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: From Monday, March 16th to Thursday, March 19th, Kawartha Lakes residents can place household batteries at the curb on their regular garbage day. Residents are urged to have it out by 7 a.m for regular collection. To get batteries ready, put them in a clear resealable bag and leave it where the collector can see it. Residents are asked not to place the bag on recycling bins. This is also a good time to remind families to change the

by Helen Nicolaou Spring cannot come too soon, as the grey days of the longest winter will finally be coming to an end. The Pine Ridge Garden Club will welcome members and guests to its first meeting, on Tuesday, March 10th, at 7:30 p.m., in the Nestleton Community Centre. Our first speaker is Michael Burns, speaking on Beautiful Dahlias. Mr. Burns is the president of the Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Society, who has dedicated his time to cultivating show quality and garden varie