Wild Ontario

📣🦅 Hey University of Guelph students!

This is your reminder thatVolunteer applications are due in TWO WEEKS!!

This semester, the volunteer training will be offered under BIOL*2650 – Foundational Applications in Biology. Successful applicants will get the opportunity to learn and develop skills with us while earning credit toward their undergraduate degree! The in-class component will take place MWF @8:30am.

Please make sure to read all the info and details about the application process on our website.

We look forward to welcoming a new flock of bird nerds to our team!! Get those applications in by August 31st at 11:59pm.

📷: Sydney Eveline

University of Guelph - Experiential Learning University of Guelph College of Biological Science

You might be wondering why we posted a picture of a tree trunk.

But if you look closely, like really closely, you might just be able to pick out an owl.

Now imagine a forest with a thousand trees. A Great Horned Owl, like Einstein here, would perfectly camouflage and go unseen by many.

Great Horned Owls are crepuscular, so they are most active around dawn and dusk. During the day, they are simply trying to get some beauty sleep! Their incredible camouflage helps them blend into their surroundings and avoid annoyance or "mobbing" from smaller species who may not want a large predator hanging around in their forest. 🌳🦉

University of Guelph
University of Guelph College of Biological Science

Do you have a favourite summer spot? We definitely do! At Wild Ontario, we kick our summers off at the Algonquin Wildlife Research Station, helping prepare them for an incoming season of researchers. This includes pitching in with some raking, painting, construction, or whatever else needs some TLC.

We are also lucky enough to hang out with the awesome crew at the Research Station while we are up at Algonquin Provincial Park for our annual presentation and meet and greet! When we aren't chatting with park-goers and sharing our love of raptors, we have been known to enjoy some birdwatching and a dip in the lake 🛶🦆.

A huge thank you to Drayke and the whole station team for always being the most amazing hosts! The entire WO team treasures these traditions, and it leaves us reminiscing all summer! 🌤

Attention University of Guelph students!

Are you looking for a truly unique hands-on learning opportunity? Are you passionate about nature and hoping to make a difference? Do you want to be part of the coolest team ever?? OK, we might be biased...

Volunteer applications for F26 are NOW OPEN!!

New this semester – we will be offering our volunteer training semester under BIOL*2650 – Foundational Applications in Biology!! Successful applicants will have the opportunity to learn and develop skills with us while earning credit toward their undergraduate degree! The in-class component will take place MWF @8:30am.

For more info and details about the application process, please check out the Volunteer Program pages on our website.

Application deadline is August 31st at 11:59pm.

University of Guelph College of Biological Science University of Guelph - Experiential Learning

If we love one thing (other than science and nature and wildlife), it's on-campus programming! Yesterday, we were lucky enough to spend time with some future Gryphons at the University of Guelph Child Care and Learning Centre. Thank you for having us on this bird-filled morning! 🌤

University of Guelph
University of Guelph College of Biological Science

We had so much fun at MacGregor Point Provincial Park this week! If you're hanging around Ontario Parks this summer, you might have a chance to meet some of our feathered friends...

- Saturday July 11th @ 1pm: Bon Echo Provincial Park
- Monday August 3rd @ 12pm: Algonquin Provincial Park
- Wednesday August 5th @ 1pm: MacGregor Point Provincial Park
- Sunday August 9th @ 1pm: French River Provincial Park
- Saturday August 22nd @ 1pm: Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park
- Saturday August 22nd @ 7pm: Grundy Lake Provincial Park
- Sunday August 23rd @ 7pm: Killbear Provincial Park

Ontario Parks University of Guelph University of Guelph College of Biological Science 🪶🌲

UPCOMING PROGRAMS!

Happy summer everyone! If you're looking for something fun to do this month, come catch us at these following events:
- July 7: Elgin County Library, Aylmer branch (11am)
- July 8: MacGregor Point Provincial Park (1pm) & Fisherman's Cove Campground (4pm)
- July 11: Bon Echo Provincial Park (1pm)
- July 18: Wildwood Conservation Area (10am), Pittock Conservation Area - UTRCA (1pm), Fanshawe Conservation Area (4pm)
- July 24: Burlington Public Library (2pm)

Our team (both humans and birds) can't wait to meet you! See you this summer!

Ontario Parks Upper Thames River Conservation Authority

Last month, we turned a flock of Upper Grand District School Board students into birders! Thanks to TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, we were able to run free full-day nature-based programs alongside our friends at The Arboretum, University of Guelph .

A special thanks to Vortex Canada for helping us equip these students with the tools they need to be pro birders! 🦉🦆🦅

University of Guelph
University of Guelph College of Biological Science