2023 Environmental Days
Photo by Beckie Boutilier
Photo by Norm Cameron
World Frog Day
March 20th, 2023
March 20th is World Frog Day, an environmental day observed to help save our amphibian friends and provide them with a safer environment. This day has been celebrated since 2009 to create awareness of the nearly 6,000 known frog species and their habitat.
The FEIS participates annually in the Elk Island National Park Amphibian Monitoring Project, which was launched in the spring of 2016. During this project, approximately 65 sites are each monitored 3 times every spring. Since amphibian populations fluctuate widely yearly, depending on habitat and weather, long-term monitoring is necessary for trend detection.
The program engages volunteers as citizen scientists in amphibian monitoring to estimate the rate of breeding site occupancy changes over time in Elk Island National Park. It monitors two native amphibian species - the Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) and the Boreal Chorus Frog (Pseudacris maculata). The actual dates for the survey are weather dependent but typically occur around the beginning of May.
#WorldFrogDay #EnvironmentalDay #Amphibians #FEIS #Volunteers #CitizenScience #ElkIslandNationalPark #WoodFrog #BorealChorusFrog #NativeAmphibians
Photo by Caleb Corcoran
World Wildlife Day
March 3rd, 2023
World Wildlife Day (WWD) is March 3rd, and the theme this year is "Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation." Join FEIS in observing this United Nations international day to celebrate all wild animals and plants worldwide. Recognize the diversity and beauty of wild species and appreciate their contributions to our lives and the planet's health. We all benefit daily from wild flora and fauna, and WWD is an opportunity to raise awareness of conservation efforts everywhere. Thanks to Caleb Corcoran for the photograph.
#WWD2023 #PartnershipsforConservation #UN #Conservation #FriendsOfElkIslandSociety #Diversity #Health #WildSpecies #Animals #Plants #Beauty #InternationalDay #FEIS
Great Backyard Bird Count
February 17-20, 2023
The Great Backyard Bird Count (https://www.birdcount.org) happens February 17-20, 2023. FEIS (Friends of Elk Island Society) encourages you to participate in this online citizen science project. The global event, launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, encourages people to spend 15 minutes collecting data on wild birds and displaying results in near real-time on eBird. Birds Canada joined the project in 2009. Over four days, bird and nature lovers everywhere help create a clearer picture of how species are declining, increasing or holding steady. So have fun and participate in the world’s largest biodiversity-related citizen science project.
#GBBC #BirdCount #FEIS #BirdsCount #Birds #NatureLovers #Biodiversity #CitizenScience
World Wetlands Day
February 2nd, 2023
February 2nd is World Wetlands Day (https://www.worldwetlandsday.org). Wetlands are small water bodies that support a diverse range of aquatic and semi-aquatic organisms, ranging in size from tiny zooplankton to the mighty moose. These environments provide important ecological services across the landscape we share with other species, and provide cultural and recreational opportunities that enhance our lives. The 2023 World Wetland Day theme is “It’s Time For Wetlands Restoration,” highlighting the need to prioritize wetland restoration to protect these important habitats. FEIS is joining the international community to raise wetlands awareness and encourage conservation and restoration actions. #GenerationRestoration #ForWetlands #WorldWetlandsDay
World Snow Day
January 16th, 2023
World Snow Day 2023, observed annually on the third Sunday of January, will be celebrated on January 15th. This event was created in 2012 by the International Ski Federation to “Bring Children to the Snow.” The purpose is to increase children’s participation in snow-related sports and bring families together in snowy regions. Elk Island National Park has trails suitable for cross-country skiing, hiking or snowshoeing.