Category: Movie

Excitement builds as two Ontario cities, Hamilton and Burlington, wrap up their applications in the process of becoming a Certified Bird Friendly City. A collective Bird Team for both Hamilton and Burlington has been working tirelessly to ensure a safe haven for birds in both cities. 

Barry Coombs and Sara Shwadchuck, the co-chairs of  Bird Friendly Hamilton Burlington, are hard at work ensuring that they become Canada’s next Nature Canada Certified Bird Friendly City. 

What was the inspiration behind starting a Bird team in Hamilton and Burlington? “I’m an avid birder. I always enjoy seeing new and rare birds but participation in many bird counts and surveys has been very rewarding and has offered me a way to give something back to birds and our ecosystem. I jumped at the opportunity to join our Bird Friendly team and work with” says Barry.

The Bird Team in Hamilton/Burlington is made up of passionate activists, birders, volunteers and leaders from various organizations such as Burlington Green Environmental Association, Environment Hamilton and Hobbitsee Wildlife Refuge.

A few of their outreach tactics so far on their Bird Friendly City journey include:

1. A letter campaign asking individuals to write to their city councillors to urge them to adopt bird-safe building standards 
2. Community awareness of their multiple Important Bird Areas (IBAs) 
3. Leading and participating in Global Bird Rescue events 
4. Bird Feeder Long-Term Care Project with Hobbitsee Wildlife Refuge at over 50 locations
5. Developed an informative presentation on birding for the Hamilton Public Library system 
6. Organized World Migratory Bird Day events 
7. Delegated to Council committees in Hamilton and Burlington

Currently, the City of Hamilton is considering an increase to its urban boundary, which is a huge threat to bird species in the area as urban sprawl and habitat loss can lead to large bird declines. 

The Hamilton/Burlington Bird Team has delegated to the Planning Committee in opposition to this proposal. The team has also delegated and written to Council members and the Planning Department to advocate the use of bird-friendly window covers and other measures in site planning to keep bird conservation at the forefront. 

If you are interested in learning more about the Hamilton/Burlington Bird Team’s efforts or would like to become a Bird Team member yourself, please follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 

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The post Bird Team Spotlight: Hamilton/Burlington, Ontario appeared first on Nature Canada.

The Greater Vancouver area is home to over 2 million people and one of the most densely populated urban areas in Canada. And a large portion of those people crosses the brown, muddy, stinking stretch of the Fraser River every day.

But the Fraser and its estuary support an abundance of wildlife including dwindling populations of killer whales, western sandpipers, and salmon. Known as a migratory bird superhighway, the Fraser Delta is one of the most important ecosystems on Canada’s west coast. It is “the main artery that feeds biodiversity to the coast of B.C.” and supports a salmon industry that generates as much as $300 million in revenue annually. 

Yet, with over 80% of its biodiversity lost due to corporate development, the Fraser faces complete devastation in just 25 years. Although the Fraser River isn’t much to look at, the benefits it brings to Canada’s wildlife make it a landscape worth saving. 

Here are five common misconceptions about the Fraser River estuary: 

1. It’s muddy and brown which means I can’t snorkel in it

The Fraser is muddy and brown, but it might not be meant for snorkelling. The brown and milky colour comes from silt clay and other sediments that carry nutrients to help grow phytoplankton, a microscopic marine algae. Through photosynthesis, phytoplankton uses sunlight, nutrients, carbon dioxide and water to produce oxygen and nutrients for other organisms. These microalgae are actually responsible for producing 50% of the world’s oxygen!  

Home to over 100 species at risk of extinction, the Fraser deserves a chance to be saved.

2. It’s too polluted

This one is fair and honest, but the Fraser wasn’t always polluted. Agricultural run-off and increased industrial development have continued to pollute many waterways, including the Fraser River and estuary. Despite this, the Fraser remains a migratory bird superhighway, an essential stopover for North American birds which populations have declined from 40% to 50% since 1970.

A strong action plan focused on species preservation and economic development could still help turn the Fraser into an ecological jewel enjoyed by both humans and wildlife alike.

3. I haven’t found gold in it yet

Beginning in 1858, the Fraser Goldrush came to an end in the mid-1860s. Although the most renowned pockets of gold are now depleted, the river continues to produce gold today, in small quantities obtained through gold panning. 

You might not find an abundance of gold nuggets in the Fraser, but an abundance of wildlife is gold enough for us. The Fraser is a valuable ecosystem and is home to thousands of species including the White Sturgeon, the largest freshwater fish in North America. All of these species create colourful biodiversity and are pretty much a pot of gold! 

4. There are scary huge fish

This may be true but fish populations in the Fraser estuary are declining rapidly. In fact, 2020 saw the lowest sockeye salmon return to the area on record. Once known as the greatest salmon-producing river on Earth, populations are no longer considered high enough to support a fishery. 

These changes impact not only humans but also the species that rely on fish populations to thrive, including the already endangered southern resident killer whales in the area. Without a healthy waterway, many more species will become threatened. 

5. It blocks and disturbs my commute

The Fraser River and its estuary are a global biodiversity hotspot. As nature lovers, we believe the incredible biodiversity of the Fraser and the importance of its location to our ecosystem overweighs minor inconveniences like an unsightly or longer commute. The complete devastation of the Fraser will change nature forever, not just for Canada but the planet as well. 

The Fraser estuary supports the commutes of: 

• Up to 1.4 million birds visiting the site during peak migration times
• More than 2 million juvenile salmon before beginning their ocean migration 
• Endangered species like the Southern Resident Killer Whales 

We cannot afford the complete devastation of yet another natural landscape, especially one of such significance for North American wildlife. 

Conclusion

Rich with biodiversity, the Fraser River and its estuary supports an incredibly diverse ecosystem comprised of over 600 species—102 of which are at risk of extinction. The destruction of the estuary has accelerated in the past decade. As we look towards the next 25 years, we must put a stop to inappropriately promoted mega projects without valid business cases, credible environmental assessments, or due process before it’s too late. 

Send the letter now to demand action for the Fraser Delta. A priority action plan is necessary to ensure that these species have a better chance of survival. 

The post 5 Reasons to Hate the Fraser River (Debunked) appeared first on Nature Canada.

Also known as the Hoot Owl, these large, round-headed birds get their name from the bar-like marks on their feathers. They are extremely aware of their own boundaries and show this to others through physical actions. Fossils of barred owls, dating back at least 11,000 years, have been dug up in Florida, Tennessee, and Ontario.

A Bird that Does Not Migrate

The Barred owl is often found near water and matured forests. Mature forests offer a higher diversity of prey and are likely to have more suitable cavities for nesting. As mentioned previously, they can be found across Canada and the eastern United States. These brown and white birds enjoy spending their time close to water and do not migrate for any season. They are often found either living in the same place or no more than 6 miles away.

Living in the same region all year long allows these birds to have access to all small animals and maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. Their prey includes chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, birds, and other crustaceans. Barred owls are carnivores that indulge in hunting throughout dusk, dawn and through the night.

The barred owl uses sounds to express itself throughout the day. A distinctive hooting call of around 8 – 9 notes that is described as “Who cooks for you? Who cools for you -all?” is used often for courtship, signals the presence of a predator and more. The adults may also snap their bills during squabbles over food or authority.

Invasive to Some Parts of North America

Although the owls are native to eastern North America, they are now considered invasive to the Pacific Northwest due to the threat they pose to the Spotted Owl—their smaller, less aggressive cousin.

Because both barred and spotted owls depend on old-growth forests, these two species are now competing for food and space—causing the displacement of spotted owls that have lived in those forests for many years. Overlogging and other human activities are accelerating this problem, making barred owls one of the fastest-growing invasive species in parts of North America.

Learn more about how you can make your city bird-friendly through our Bird Friendly City program!

The post Who’s There? Meet North America’s Barred Owl appeared first on Nature Canada.

The personal stories and memories that Nature Canada members share about their love of nature always put a smile on my face. Thank you! It truly is such a delight to read and hear about the many ways our members and supporters have come to appreciate, respect and love nature:  

Whether it was their mother or father, a special teacher, professor or Guide leader, teaching them about the flowers, birds, sights and sounds of nature. 

Or by watching, reading and learning from others like Rachel Carson, Sir David Attenborough, Dr. David Suzuki, their local naturalist club or teachings from Indigenous peoples, it reminds me that there are many different paths that can lead people to care about nature and want to defend it. 

Growing up on a farm, hiking or canoe trips in the summer, spending time in the backyard garden or nature walks in the nearby green space are just a few of the wonderful stories members share with us. Here are a few quotes that were inspiring and uplifting:

“I was raised to respect nature, be curious, watch and learn”

“My mom brought birds and nature into my heart and mind”

“My father taught me to walk gently on the earth and to be aware and sensitive”

“Nature will provide if respected and cherished”

We all have the power to make a difference to protect and restore nature more than you might realize when you leave a special gift in your Will. Leaving even a small portion to charities like Nature Canada can result in a bigger contribution than you ever thought possible, while still supporting those you love. In short, you can do both!

Nature Canada is a partner in Will Power, a national campaign launched earlier this month to show Canadians the power they have to do more with their Will.  You may be surprised to see that even 1% left in your Will can have an enormous impact for nature, while still leaving 99% of your estate for loved ones. You can try the free, simple and easy-to-use legacy calculator on our Will Power page to see what you can do with your Will.

And if you have a spare moment, I’d love to hear your personal story. Drop me a note or call me and let me know what drives your giving to nature and about the change you are hoping to make in the world for a better future.   

If you have questions about Nature Canada campaigns and efforts, please don’t hesitate to contact me by calling me on my direct line at 1-800-267-4088 ext 239. I’m here to help.

The post You Have the Power to Make a Difference for Nature appeared first on Nature Canada.

The Bond producers aren’t even considering a new James Bond this year; Evan Hansen disappoints in a weak box-office weekend; Slamdance co-founder Dan Mirvish debuts his new Watergate film at the Woodstock Film Festival. Also: Who’s your favorite Bond?

Dear Evan Hansen: It opened to a quite-disappointing $7.5 million this weekend, though IndieWire suggests that it could have been a better fit on streaming. IndieWire also notes that this was the weakest box office weekend in four months. Shang-Chi remained the top film for the fourth straight week, and this coming weekend could be a big week thanks to the James Bond film No Time to Die and the killer-parasitic-costume sequel Venom: Let There Be Carnage.

Bond: James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson say they won’t even consider who should replace outgoing James Bond Daniel Craig until 2022. “Oh God no,” Broccoli said this morning on BBC Radio 4’s Today. “We’re not thinking about it at all. We want Daniel to have his time of celebration. Next year we’ll start thinking about the future.”

James Bond Will Remain a Man: But one thing is certain, Broccoli told the PA news agency: James Bond will remain a man. ““James Bond is a male character,” she said. “I hope that there will be many, many films made with women, for women, by women, about women. I don’t think we have to take a male character and have a woman portray him. So yes, I see him as male. And I’m sort of in denial, I would love for Daniel to continue forever.”

Who Is Your Favorite Bond?: Let us know in the comments. Mine’s Sean Connery, but I think Timothy Dalton is underrated — he was the first Bond who wasn’t a casually promiscuous player. (I know, George Lazenby’s Bond got married, but look what happened.) Dalton ended up building a Bond who seemed more like a vulnerable, real person who could be both physically and emotionally wounded. Anyway, feel free to disagree.

Netflix’s British Invasion: Variety has this detailed look at all of the UK-based talent, productions and IP recently wedded to Netflix. It took me a moment to realize that this is by a London-based reporter — when she mentions “this side of the Atlantic” she means that side of the Atlantic. (I am writing this in the colonies.)

Evan Hansen: You know that Saturday Night Live fake gameshow “What Is Burn Notice“? That’s how Dear Evan Hansen is for me. Even though I knew it was a beloved Broadway musical, the idea behind it and plot completely escaped me until I watched the film trailer for the purposes of writing this newsletter. It seems like a very hard film to market because of both the complicated plot and difficult themes involved. This isn’t a knock on the film or musical, it’s just odd how some cultural phenomena can pass you by. I’ve also never seen or read a Harry Potter.

Woodstock and Watergate: The Woodstock Film Festival runs from Wednesday through Oct. 3, and among the films is the world premiere of Slamdance co-creator Dan Mirvish’s 18½, a new Watergate-era thriller and dark comedy. The very strong cast includes Willa Fitzgerald (MTV’s Scream) and John Magaro, who is very good in The Many Saints of Newark. Mirvish recently wrote this great piece for us about how to survive financially as an indie filmmaker. As you may have guessed from the title, 18½ gets a little Felliniesque. Here’s the trailer:

Main image: Eva Green and Daniel Craig in 2006’s Casino Royale, when Craig was the new Bond.

The post No New Bond Anytime Soon; Box Office Woes; Woodstock Meets Watergate appeared first on MovieMaker Magazine.