DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Inititative Reporter The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: A proposed three-megawatt hydroelectric generating station, on the Burnt River, has received municipal support to move forward with a provincial energy procurement submission, although significant planning, environmental, and regulatory approvals would still be required, before construction could begin. City council voted, on Tuesday, September 22nd, to approve a Municipal Resolution in Support o

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: The map of conservation authorities serving Kawartha Lakes is about to change dramatically. Instead of four conservation authorities, covering different parts of the city, the municipality will be divided between two new regional bodies, when Ontario’s sweeping conservation authority restructuring takes effect next year. City council received an update on the province’s consolidation plans, at

BRANDON CLARK The Standard NORTH DURHAM: On September 17th, the Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee (DAAC) held their annual farm tour, where they showcase the importance of Durham Region's agricultural history. The tour is designed to educate politicians, government officials, and key stateholders on the importance of farming and the major role it plays in Durham Region. In addition to the farm tour, the DAAC held a presentation from keynote speaker Brock Dickinson, where

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Hybrid and hydrogen-powered vehicles are already part of the City of Kawartha Lakes fleet, but electric vehicles remain on the table as the municipality looks ahead to future vehicle replacements. Council received an update, on the city’s Municipal Fleet Greening Program, during its Tuesday, September 22nd meeting, following a report from, Public Works Director, Zayden Alganabi. The report out

by Geoffrey Carpentier A few weeks ago, something strange happened. I felt a soft bump against the base of my back. Carefully, I reached back to see if it was something unwelcome. To my surprise it was a very small Blue Jay. It clung there for a few seconds, then weakly flew up to my shoulder and simply sat there, while I talked to my neighbour. To say this was distracting would be an understatement! I wasn’t sure where this little guy (or gal) came from, but I suspected it w

by Geoffrey Carpentier In my last two columns, I spoke about the mechanics of migration – how do birds migrate? What tools do they have to make these perilous journeys? What can go wrong when they lose those tools or use them improperly? Today let’s finish the story and see how the environment itself can cause catastrophic challenges. I mentioned last time that small errors in the chosen migration route will be magnified each time the bird deviates from course. Gradually, the

JAY THIBERT North Durham Nature Club SCUGOG: Julie-Ann will share her enthusiasm for a small shorebird which nests and dwells in Ontario, on a few exposed sand and gravel Great Lakes’ beaches. Piping Plovers returned to Ontario in 2007, after a 30-year absence. In 2026, we celebrated their 20th breeding season in Ontario. Join us to learn how you can help this charismatic shorebird and ensure we celebrate many more successful seasons to come, on Tuesday, September 22nd, at th

by Geoffrey Carpentier Last time we talked about migration and how birds and some insects use a variety of tools to safely move from their summering to wintering grounds and back again. However, what if things don’t go as planned? There are many factors which can and frequently do occur which can offset the positive migratory adventure our birds face. Setting aside things like predators, wires, buildings, hunters, pesticides and disappearing habitats (which usually lead to th

by Helen Nicolaou The harvested wheat fields and local farm stands are a true sign of summer winding down into quieter autumn days. The rain this summer has many vegetable gardens looking they’re best. Tomato plants are producing an abundance of tasty fruit; beans and cucumbers continue to be productive as well. Pickling cucumbers were scarce last season, compared to this one, as now there will be extra pickles to enjoy through the winter. If you have any boxwood shrubs, you

by Geoffrey Carpentier From time immemorial, humans have looked to nature to adorn themselves, perhaps to just offset the mundane parts of their difficult lives, or more likely to make themselves more attractive to their partners. Beads made from seed pods or berries, flowers, shells, bits of bone or feathers to adorn the hair and small pieces of wood were shaped into appealing decorative items. This trend has continued to the present day and will assuredly persist for eons.

by Helen Nicolaou July marks the middle of the summer season, with garden foliage filling in open spaces and a wide assortment of flowers to admire. Although the bloom of a daylily only lasts the day, there are many blooms maturing on a scape which will last for several weeks in the garden. It's a good idea, while walking through the garden, to assess the growth of perennials, as they have matured, and decide if some trimming back of spent blooms and over-growth will help wit

by Geoffrey Carpentier It’s not hard to imagine why we might be speaking about forest fires right now. Our skies are clouded with smoke which has travelled thousands of kilometres, homesteads in the north are gone or threatened and people displaced to cities and towns far from home. I think we understand why our skies are smoke filled, as it’s relatively simple – lots of fires, lots of smoke and winds which have driven them both towards us. The other day, as my wife and I sto

by Geoffrey Carpentier I remember, as a kid, spending countless summer hours fishing and enjoying nature. One thing I recall encountering, with some frequency, were the dark black mussel shells which littered the lake and river bottom, once the living organism inside had died. They were simply a curiosity to me, and a hindrance at the time, as I often cut my foot on their sharp edges. Many years later, as I revisit some of my childhood memories, I now wonder how these animals

by Geoffrey Carpentier Wind turbines have become one of the most visible symbols of the clean energy transition, worldwide, with the goal of shifting away from fossil fuels and toward a low carbon future. Still, wind turbines can have significant negative environmental impacts. For many people, these turbines raise a troubling question: What about the impacts on birds and bats? Wind power and wildlife conservation are often portrayed as opposing forces, since migration patter

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard NORTH DURHAM: Families looking for an affordable way to enjoy the outdoors this summer will have two opportunities to cast a line in the waters without purchasing a fishing licence, as Ontario’s annual Free Fishing Weekends return, later this month. Anglers of all ages can fish for free, during Father’s Day Weekend, on June 20th and 21st, followed by Family Fishing Week, from June 27th to July 5th. The initia

by Geoffrey Carpentier I had the good fortune to spend much of the winter in very tropical areas, with daytime temperatures often well into the high 30s. Arriving home, I was anxious for a different kind of warm though. I longed for the wonderful spring temperatures I grew up with, cool nights and lovely warm summery days. Well, it seems for 2026, at least, that didn’t happen. On May 21st, we had frost warnings, not unheard of but, certainly not anticipated nor welcome! My bi

by Jay Thibert NDN Africa is famous for its large mammals, and many tourists go there to get a firsthand view of some of their spectacular beasts. However, there are many other amazing animals to be seen there, in particular a great diversity of birds. James and Lynda Kamstra took just such a trip through the Serengeti Plains and some of the great national parks of Kenya and Tanzania. The wildlife was awesome with the Great migration of many thousands of zebras and wildebeest

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard DURHAM: The Ontario government is investing more than $9.6 million in Durham Region Transit through its 2025-26 Gas Tax Program, providing funding aimed at improving public transportation services across the region. The province announced that Durham Region will receive $9,633,396 to support local transit initiatives, including expanded service hours, additional routes, new vehicle purchases, and accessibility improvements designed to increase rider

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard BROCK: An invasive aquatic plant, discovered in Lake Simcoe, is prompting calls for coordinated action from municipalities, conservation authorities and government agencies, as experts work to contain its spread. Members of the Invasive Species Centre appeared before Brock Township council on May 25th, to provide an update on the growing presence of water soldier, an invasive perennial aquatic plant which was

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard KAWARTHA LAKES: Concerns about preserving local watershed expertise and municipal representation are at the forefront, as proposed provincial changes to Ontario’s conservation authority system move closer to implementation. At a recent council meeting, Kawartha Lakes councillors received correspondence from, Kawartha Conservation Chief Administrative Officer, Mark Majchrowski, regarding the Province’s propose