Jan 1 2021 — Dan Kraus — National Newswatch — A year ago, there was much anticipation in the conservation community that 2020 would perhaps be the most important year ever for nature. Canada’s Nature Fund promised to accelerate the conservation of our wild spaces and species. There was a buzz about the new global initiatives to be shared at the International Union for Conservation […]
Nov 13 2020 — Dan Kraus — Nature Conservancy of Canada — Canada has been losing and saving species for a long time. Since European settlement, over 100 species have been lost here. These include plants and animals that are extinct and extirpated and species that are considered historic (no one has seen them in Canada for a long time). The number of lost species varies between […]
Jun 30 2020 — Dan Kraus — Nature Conservancy of Canada — Every nation plays an important role in stopping wildlife extinction. Here in Canada, we have an estimated 80,000 known wild species. They range from pygmy shrew to polar bear, and from stellate sedge to Sitka spruce. Canada plays a critical role in protecting many of these plants and animals. Most of the world’s lakeside daisies, narwhals and […]
May 15 2020 — Dan Kraus — Nature Conservancy of Canada — Endangered species day was established 15 years ago. It is a day for us to learn about the wildlife, plants, animals and insects that are at risk of disappearing and perhaps most importantly, what we can do about it. Every nation has a unique role in saving our planet’s endangered species. As Canadians it’s important […]
Apr 8 2020 — Dan Kraus — Nature Conservancy of Canada — COVID-19 has brought us unprecedented health and economic challenges. It will test the resolve and resiliency of each Canadian and our nation. Crises have a way of unveiling truths, flaws and misconceptions in any society. Our immediate crisis is reinforcing the importance of family, community, health care and food security. But at the root of […]
Mar 3 2020 — Dan Kraus — Nature Conservancy of Canada — Scientists estimate that up to one million species may be at risk of extinction in the next few decades. Extinction and the loss of nature now rank up there with climate change as the biggest issues facing not just our environment, but our economy and society. However, there is reason to be optimistic. Yes, officially […]
Feb 2 2020 — Dan Kraus — Nature Conservancy of Canada — Earlier this winter I watched as a record amount of January rain filled the swamp at the back of our property outside of Guelph Ontario. With the ground still locked in a hard freeze, there weren’t a lot of places to hold this deluge. This swamp was doing what swamps and other wetlands across southern […]
Dec 30 2019 — Dan Kraus — Nature Conservancy of Canada — Here are 10 nature conservation highlights that provide evidence for hope. Examples that, if amplified, if repeated and if built upon, will help shape the Canada and world we need in the coming decade. Citizen science: Many people now have one of the most power scientific instruments ever invented: their cell phone. Apps such as […]
Nov 2 2019 — Dan Kraus — Nature Conservancy of Canada — Parks and protected areas have been established across Canada to conserve many things we value. Banff National Park was originally established in 1885 to protect hot springs and breathtaking scenery for tourists. In 1893, Algonquin Provincial Park was set up to protect forested headwaters from settlement and land clearing. Over the last 134 years, more […]
May 9 2019 — Dan Kraus — Nature Conservancy of Canada — This week, representatives of 132 governments around the world released a United Nations report that issues a stark warning: the accelerating deterioration of nature is jeopardizing humanity’s collective future. The report is the most comprehensive-ever study of life on Earth. 455 scientists, researchers and experts have determined that the loss of global biodiversity — the […]
Dec 24 2018 — Dan Kraus — Nature Conservancy of Canada — People living in the northern hemisphere have brought trees and boughs into their homes during the winter for thousands of years. The evergreens that we decorate with during Christmas can represent a celebration of holidays and a reminder that spring will come again. I’m a Christmas tree traditionalist, and will never give up the ancient […]
Aug 31 2018 — Dan Kraus — Nature Conservancy of Canada — It’s a luxury to not think about water. Most Canadians watch it flow from the faucet and go down the drain without considering its source or destination. When we do think about water, it’s only about where the nearest tap is. Many people in the world don’t have taps. Over 1.2 billion people experience critical […]
Jun 4 2018 — Dan Kraus — Nature Conservancy of Canada — Canada has been losing and saving species for a long time. Since European settlement, over 100 species have been lost here. These include plants and animals that are extinct and extirpated, and species that are considered historic (no one has seen them in Canada for a long time). The number of lost species varies between […]
Apr 25 2018 — Dan Kraus — Nature Conservancy of Canada — Earth Week is a time to promote awareness and appreciation for our environment, sustainable living and earth awareness. There’s nothing like the potential loss of Earth’s rich biodiversity and planetary life support systems to make one feel, well, a little overwhelmed. Our individual actions can seem like small roles on a very big stage. The […]
Feb 2 2018 — Dan Kraus — Nature Conservancy of Canada — Canada is home to 25 per cent of the world’s wetlands, which are important for the health of Canada and the health of our planet. In Ontario, we see proof all around us. From Lake Superior and the Great Lakes, to Lake Nipissing, these are crucial ecosystems for plants and animals, and great recreation spots. […]