Community science opens the doors of discovery to everyone — not just professional researchers. Through accessible tools like iNaturalist and community-driven projects, everyday people can observe, record and share data about the natural world around them. Whether it’s tracking migrating birds, documenting plant species, or monitoring local ecosystems, every little bit helps conserve nature.

This collective effort not only expands the scale and depth of current scientific research, but such activity also empowers individuals to become active participants in environmental stewardship. In a time when biodiversity is under increasing pressure, citizen science offers a powerful reminder that meaningful contributions to science and conservation can come from anyone, anywhere.

April is Citizen Science Month

April marks Citizen Science Month, a global initiative that encourages everyone to  to step outside and take part in meaningful scientific discovery. Whether it’s photographing a backyard pollinator, recording bird calls on a morning walk, or documenting seasonal changes in local parks, there are countless ways to get involved. Tools like iNaturalist make participation simple and engaging; users can upload observations, receive help with species identification, and contribute directly to a growing global database. Here in Canada, these contributions are especially valuable, helping scientists and conservationists track species distributions, monitor ecosystem health, and respond to environmental changes with better, more comprehensive data.

Citizen Science Month is filled with opportunities to put your citizen science hat on and make a real impact. During National Wildlife Week April 6 – 11, Canadians are encouraged to celebrate and appreciate native species by observing and recording wildlife found in and around their communities. Wednesday April 22^nd, Earth Day offers another moment to take action, with community science activities like habitat cleanups, species counts, and environmental monitoring taking centre stage. Rounding out the month is the City Nature Challenge, a friendly global collaboration that brings together participants in more than 40 countries—and over 40 Canadian cities from coast to coast to coast – to document urban biodiversity and kick off a season of nature exploration. The City Nature Challenge happens in two stages: April 24 – 27 uploading observations and recordings, then an extended identification period April 28 – May 6.

Taking part in these events not only deepens our understanding of the natural world, but they also empower people of all ages to contribute to the protection of Canada’s diverse habitats and ecosystems, ensuring they remain healthy and resilient for generations to come. To all you Community Scientists, remember this: change doesn’t wait for permission – every observation you make, every data point you gather, is a step toward reshaping the world for the better by providing a brighter future for wildlife!

Is this true of all owls? Every rule has exceptions.

Meet the Burrowing Owl. Smaller than a pigeon, this owl lives in Canada’s flat-to-gently-undulating treeless plains or grasslands. Contrary to what its name implies, it does not burrow or dig, but unlike other owls, it nests underground, using burrows vacated by small mammals like ground squirrels, badgers and prairie dogs. This social owl may be seen standing on dirt mounds near its burrow or perched on nearby fence posts, ready to chase prey, whether it’s daytime or nighttime. This bird consumes a variety of small creatures: ground insects, small rodents, frogs, toads, salamanders, snakes, small birds and dead animals. The Burrowing Owl migrates, staying in Canada only during the summer months, generally from April to September. That’s when the access to its burrow is not blocked by snow and there’s access to food. The rest of the year, Canadian Burrowing Owls winter primarily in Mexico and the southwestern United States. Wintering owls tend to be more nocturnal, so they are not as conspicuous.

Owl’s Not Well for the Burrowing Owl

This strange owl is not faring well: it’s considered an Endangered Species in Canada. At one time, the Burrowing Owl was common in the four western Canadian provinces.
Now, it is one of the most endangered birds in these areas.

The decline in population began in the 1980s and accelerated during the 1990s to an average rate of 22 per cent a year. In 1977, about 3,000 breeding pairs of Burrowing Owls lived in Canada; by the year 2000, the number of pairs had dropped to fewer than 1,000. Another 64 per cent of the population disappeared between 2005 and 2015.

The main reason is linked to the fate of its habitat, the grasslands. Much of our native prairie habitats have been converted to cropland (where the original burrowing animals are often seen as pests), and the rest has been fragmented and degraded. In Canada, less than 24 per cent of the original prairie habitat remains. If we add the effects of reductions in prey populations, climate change and severe weather, vehicle collisions, effects from the expansion of renewable energy and predation, the situation is dire. And it’s ongoing, since the decline of populations has not stopped.

Canadians Dig Deep to Help the Burrowing Owl

But what are we doing about this decline? Given its status in Canada, the Burrowing Owl is protected by federal law and efforts must legally be made to stabilize and increase its population. Several programs in Canada’s four western provinces are conserving habitat for this owl, studying its habits, banning the use of some pesticides and raising awareness about its needs.

In Alberta and Saskatchewan, more than 700 landowners have conserved roughly 70,000 hectares of Burrowing Owl nesting habitat. Several other methods of helping the species have also been studied, notably prairie restoration, stopping the elimination of burrowing animals, captive breeding or raising chicks in captivity to reintroduce them, surveying the population, moving individuals from other localities and installing artificial nest burrows.

There have been some successes, including the reintroduction of the species in British Columbia and Manitoba, but with roughly 270 individuals in Canada, we are far from our goal of maintaining a minimum of 3,000 nesting pairs and much more work is needed!

You can help this unusual owl in a few ways:

• Learn more about the species, including reading up on them with the Hinterland Who’s Who fact sheet and spreading the word!
• You can also learn more about their habitat by visiting Canadasgrasslands.ca. Many Canadians have never heard of the Burrowing Owl or know very little about our grasslands. The more we learn, the more we care.
• If you live in the Prairies or in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, you can get active with local wildlife conservation organizations. Many areas have Burrowing Owl related programs where you can lend a hand.

The more lush and colourful cultivars and hybrids of popular plants may be double trouble for pollinators like native bees. Here are two reasons why they can be problematic for these important insects.

1. Petal Pushers

For some plants, what we often think of as a single flower, is actually a flower head composed of numerous small flowers. Examples of these composite flowers include sunflowers and asters. While the outer flowers have a showy petal attached, most of the flowers are inconspicuous. Some plants, however, have been bred to replace the tiny flowers with showy structures, resulting in a fuller-looking flower, with multiple layers of petals, as with ‘mophead’ hydrangeas. The trouble with pleasing the human eye at the expense of fertile flowers is food production, as these flowers produce little or no nectar or pollen. Even with flowers that are not completely sterile, pollinators can spend more energy accessing food as each flower head has less nectar and/or pollen and more petals to get around.

2. Colour Confusion

Bees use ultraviolet (UV) light to navigate and forage as this light reflects information on the flower, guiding them to the flower’s nectar and pollen. As colours are modified, so too is the ability of bees to receive cues from the flower, impacting the foraging behaviour of these pollinators.

Thankfully, we can make a “bee-line” back to the native flowers these pollinators love.

3. Bee Strong

Did you know that Canada has more than 900 species of native bees? Bumble bees are perhaps the best known for their pudgy and fuzzy bodies while other bees can be smaller and bright metallic green, black-blue or even just a few millimeters long, fooling many of us into thinking they are a fly! We can help them by providing a continuous supply of food so that no matter when they are active in the spring, summer or fall, they don’t have to expend unnecessary energy searching for food.

Regionally native plant species are best, where possible, as these plants have coevolved with bees and other wildlife to provide their perfect food at the perfect time and their flower shape is also suited to the pollinator’s body size and structure. Ensure you have blooming plants from early spring through to late fall. Some bees are generalists and will visit many different plant species while others are specialists. There are variations as some bees only visit goldenrods, for example, while others may visit plants in a few genera (broad category for closely related species, such as “asters”). You can help attract pollinators to your garden by planting the flowers that they like close together. These are called drifts. Native plants with single blooms will likely provide four times the benefit of exotic plants, and you can fill your garden with different varieties of native plants that bloom at different times to add interest and texture.

Eight species of bumble bee are listed as species at risk in Canada, along with one species of sweat bee. The primary reasons for bee decline are habitat loss, climate change, pesticide use and competition with non-native species. Like many other wild bees, bumble bees prefer to nest in the ground or in crevices and piles of debris. Some solitary bees, however, nest in stems. You can help them by leaving plant stems in the winter (which also provides seeds for birds) and snipping the stalk to perhaps 30 to 60 centimetres at the end of winter or very early spring. This timing helps some bee species when looking for suitable nesting sites of hollow or soft pithy stems. These stems are also where the bees will lays eggs and provide them with pollen. The stems will seal off the nest, creating a space for the next generation of bees to hatch during the growing season. If concerned about the look, perhaps do this for plants that are at the back of beds or in a corner of your yard. New plant growth will soon hide the stems while the solitary bees within are safe to emerge.

4. Bee Aware

Contrary to popular beliefs, Honey Bees are not native to Canada. They were brought here from other countries and may visit your flower garden and compete with wild bees for food. Both Honey Bees and bumble bee species are social and have a nest to protect (with Honey Bees, we refer to that as a hive). But if you move slowly and gently in the area of the nest, the bees are less likely to see you as a threat and feel the need to defend their nest. This is especially true with bumble bees which can nest in existing holes that provide some protection from the elements and predators – from old rodent burrows and dense plant debris to crevices in logs or even old bird houses.

Also note, bumblebees will not reuse the same spot year after year, so if you can avoid a nest one year, you’ll be able to get back to it the year after. Most solitary bees do not sting or if they do, it is usually very weak and not the same concern as a social bee. If you aren’t sure what kinds of bees are in your area, try to get photos and post them to iNaturalist.ca for proper identification.

5. Bee Helpful

The more you can do to help native bees, the better, so instead of filling your garden with new varieties of show-stopping flowers, give some thought to the beauty of the true native species. Some are just as showy and colourful as ornamental plants and provide the best habitat for productive pollinators. There are a lot of options, from Wild Bergamont, Liatris, lilies, columbines to goldenrods and asters. Depending where you live in Canada, you can give wild bees and other pollinators a boost by focusing on regionally native plants.

To learn more visit GardeningForWildlife.ca

The Canadian Wildlife Federation is excited to introduce the CWF True North Wildlife Conservation Awards. It is a newly revamped awards program created to recognize and celebrate the remarkable work being carried out across the country by individuals, organizations and communities.

And for the recipients, this awards program can be transformational.

Designed to reflect the diversity and depth of conservation efforts in Canada, the awards shine a national spotlight on those whose passion, innovation and leadership are helping to protect and conserve our wildlife for the future. The program helps drive awareness of all those making meaningful contributions to protecting Canada’s natural heritage. This is done by recognizing individuals, organizations and communities who demonstrate leadership, innovation and dedication.

Award programs like this play a vital role in amplifying the positive work being done in conservation. They not only honour achievement but also inspire others to take action. These programs are essential to fostering a culture of stewardship that extends far beyond the recipients themselves. By bringing attention to successful initiatives and measurable impacts, these awards help build momentum for conservation efforts, ultimately benefiting wildlife and the ecosystems they depend on for generations to come.

Nominations are now being accepted online in the following six categories:

• Canadian Conservation Leadership Award
• Canadian Conservation Innovation Award
• Canadian Nature-based Education Champion Award
• Canadian Youth for Wildlife Conservation Award
• Canadian Wild Media Impact Award
• Canadian Wildlife Impact Award

Description and criteria for each award is available online at CanadianWildlifeFederation.ca/awards. Award recipients in each category will also receive the following prizing:

• A CWF True North Wildlife Conservation Award
• $1,000 contribution to support the recipient’s ongoing conservation work
• An invitation to be acknowledged at a CWF gala event in Ottawa on October 23, 2026
• A profile of their work published in both Canadian Wildlife (English) and Biosphère (French) magazines

Being nominated for — or receiving — a CWF True North Wildlife Conservation Award not only reflects on the achievements of a particular person or organization, it also demonstrates that meaningful action can spark lasting impact.

Help us shine a spotlight on the remarkable individuals, teams and organizations across Canada who dedicate themselves to conserving wildlife and their habitats. Recognizing these conservation champions is more than a symbolic gesture – it highlights the vital work being done to conserve biodiversity, safeguard ecosystems and ensure a sustainable future for all species. Deadline for nomination submissions is May 15, 2026.

Submit your nomination today!

Meltwater flows through forests and wetlands, early plants push through cool soil, and wildlife becomes increasingly active. It’s also the moment when we can begin to notice which species are returning and which may be taking hold — offering a perfect opportunity to explore the difference between native and invasive species. This season is rich with opportunities for learners to observe ecological change in real time.

Teaching Resources

• An overview of plants – A PowerPoint presentation resource on plant anatomy.
• Paper Plant Pots – A hands‑on craft. Pair it with native seed starting or discussions on soil moisture and thaw timing.
• Native or Invasive? Learn about native and invasive plants in your community with the CWF Native Plant Encyclopedia and CWF Invasive Species Encyclopedia.
• Friends or Foes – A classroom debate between native and non-native species.
• Assess the Mess – Research native and non-native species in your area and discuss the effects on local wildlife.
• Hinterland who’s who – A quick video and background on invasive species.
• Grasslands Project – Though broad in scope, this fits nicely as grasslands undergo major regeneration in early spring—new shoots, overwintered seeds germinating, and wildlife return.

WILD Education Workshops

Have you taken a WILD Ed workshop? Check out these lesson plans and activities in the Project WILD Manual.

Wish you had a Project WILD manual or want to tell a friend to sign up for a WILD Education workshop? Send them this link to sign up for our waitlist. Sign up link

Project WILD:

• Turtle Hurdles (pg. 638) — As wetlands thaw, turtles begin moving from overwintering sites to basking spots and nesting areas. This activity explores the migration challenges turtles face—especially road crossings in spring.
• Aquatic Roots (pg. 327) — Investigate native and non‑native aquatic plants as water systems warm. Meltwater brings nutrients and disturbance, creating ideal conditions to study plant adaptations and invasions.
• World Travellers (pg. 550) — Perfect for exploring how seeds, species, and materials travel across the landscape—especially via spring water flow, wind, and human movement.
• Water Canaries (pg. 160) — Explore spring water quality by studying aquatic invertebrates.

Student Action Projects

“Caring about wildlife, restoring natural areas, and getting kids into nature is the best thing that we can do for our kids. […] They do better in their cognitive abilities. They do better in science, technology, engineering, math, and the arts. They develop their social and emotional intelligence at higher levels than kids who are spending more time on screens. They’re less anxious and less fearful.” – Collin O’Mara

As the world thaws and spring awakens, encourage your students outside to connect with nature and take meaningful action for wildlife. Here are a few simple ways to make a lasting impact together.

National Wildlife Week — April 5–11

• Many organizations celebrate National Wildlife Week. Search to see what is taking place in your area.

Earth Day — April 22

• Encourage stewardship with: habitat cleanups or Native seed planting.
• Check out a nature-based education organization near you.

City Nature Challenge — April 24–27

• A global citizen science event inviting schools to document local biodiversity using iNaturalist.
• Spring thaw = ideal conditions for spotting early plants, insects, birds, and amphibians.

To support educators across the country, we’re highlighting three key themes that help learners build environmental understanding:

• Species at Risk in Canada
• Biodiversity and Conservation
• National Wildlife Areas

These themes align with national conservation priorities and complement the hands‑on learning approaches found in the Project WILD and Below Zero activity guides. 

Whether you’re teaching indoors, outdoors, or online, Project WILD and Below Zero offer engaging, curriculum‑linked ways for K–12 learners to connect with nature — wherever they live. 

1. Species at Risk in Canada: Understanding What’s at Stake 

Across the country, many wildlife species face pressures such as habitat loss, pollution, and climate impacts. Canada maintains a public Species at Risk registry that lists species and provides information about their conservation status. 

Activities That Focus on Species at Risk 

• Mighty Migrators (Below Zero – p. 155)
  Students draw murals showing a caribou migration route, and the possible consequences of a pipeline being laid across the route. 

• Back from the Brink (Project WILD – p. 331)
  Students investigate why certain species declined and explore real recovery strategies.  

• Here Today, Gone Tomorrow (Project WILD – p. 383)
  Learners compare species’ vulnerabilities and evaluate how different traits affect extinction risk.  

• Turtle Hurdles (Project WILD – p. 638)
  Students become sea turtles and limiting factors in a highly active simulation game. 

Classroom connection: Combine these with Habitat Circles (Project WILD – p. 39) to help students understand why habitat protection is the foundation of every species’ recovery effort.  

2. Biodiversity & Conservation: Exploring the Web of Life 

Biodiversity is essential for healthy ecosystems — and for the well‑being of communities across Canada. National guidance such as Canada’s 2030 Nature Strategy emphasizes halting and reversing biodiversity loss through education, stewardship, and shared responsibility. Here are some resources that will help you do that in your classroom.  

Activities That Build Biodiversity Awareness 

• Fishy Deep Freeze (Below Zero – p. 55)
  Students role-play fish in a game that illustrates how winter can affect the survival of aquatic life. 

• Ecosystem Architects (Project WILD – p. 376)
  Students explore ecosystem processes and how habitat restoration supports resilience.  

• Insect Inspection (Project WILD – p. 58) + Busy Bees, Busy Blooms (Project WILD – p. 194)
  A great duo for teaching the critical roles insects play in pollination, decomposition, and food webs.  

• Bottleneck Genes (Project WILD – p. 336)
  A hands-on demonstration of how reduced population size affects genetic diversity — a key factor in long-term survival. 

3. National Wildlife Areas: Learning Through Protected Places 

Canada’s National Wildlife Areas (NWAs) protect nationally significant habitats for wildlife, including migratory birds and species at risk. There are currently 64 NWAs across the country, many containing sensitive ecosystems that support critical biodiversity.  

You can find an NWA near you through the Government of Canada’s online map and location directory.  

Activities for Understanding Protected Areas 

• Snow Tours (Below Zero – p. 5)
  Students create a nature trail and prepare a written guide for others to follow. 

• Habitat Circles (Project WILD – p. 39)
  A powerful demonstration of how wildlife needs food, water, shelter, and space — and what happens when one is lost.  

• Dragonfly Pond (Project WILD – p. 578)
  Students role‑play land‑use planners balancing development and conservation — just like real protected-area planners.  

• Time Lapse (Project WILD – p. 424)
  Students create and analyze sketches depicting changes in the variety and quantity of species in an ecosystem as it undergoes successional change. 

More Learning Tools for Educators 

To support learning at all grade levels, here are additional Government of Canada resources that educators can explore: 

1. Resources for Educators (K–12): A curated hub of climate, environment, and nature education tools. 

2. Biodiversity Education Page: A kid-friendly introduction to biodiversity with language tailored to different ages. 

3. Pollution Education Page: Helps students understand pollution, impacts, and solutions. 

4. “Ask a Scientist” Video Series: Short, engaging videos answering real student questions about climate, nature, and science. 

5. “What Is…” Video Series: Explainer videos that unpack big environmental concepts in simple terms.

6. Protect Nature Challenge: Follow the 31 Protect Nature Challenges. Choose a few actions that you can include in your daily life.

Helping Students Become Stewards of the Wild 

CWF’s WILD Education activities, paired with ECCC’s national educational resources, empower learners to understand ecosystems, recognize the challenges facing wildlife, and imagine solutions rooted in stewardship and conservation. 

By exploring species at risk, biodiversity, and protected habitats, students across Canada can discover how every plant, animal, and ecosystem is connected — and how their own choices and actions matter. 

Ready to explore? Dive into Project WILD, Below Zero and the educator resources above, and bring Canada’s wild places to life for your learners. 

Now that you’ve connected with your outdoor space and started planning your native plant garden, it’s time to focus on two essential habitat elements that help wildlife thrive: water and shelter. This month, let’s build on the foundations you’ve already created.

Provide Water in Your WILD Space

Water is one of the most important components of any wildlife‑friendly garden. It’s needed for drinking, bathing, cooling down and staying healthy. Even simple water features can make your WILD Space more welcoming to wildlife. Remember to refresh water every few days and keep containers clean to prevent bacteria and mosquito larvae.

Ways to Provide Water in Your WILD Space

  Water sources that you can purchase or make

• Birdbath — A birdbath in a shaded spot helps wildlife drink and bathe while keeping water cooler for longer.
• Shallow dish with perching stones— Ground‑level dishes support birds and insects. Add a few stones or gravel for safe footing.
• Butterfly puddling dish/area — A shallow dish with moist sand, compost or soil gives butterflies access to water and minerals.
• Small pond — A simple pond supports amphibians, insects and other wildlife. Ensure edges are sloped or provide stones or logs so animals can climb out easily.
• Recirculating stream or mini‑waterfall — Running water adds sound and movement that attracts wildlife and can support a wider range of species.

  Natural water sources

• Water garden — A planted area designed to hold or manage water, similar to natural pond edges.
• Rain garden — A shallow, vegetated basin that collects and filters rainwater runoff.
• Stream / Spring / River / Lake — Flowing or standing natural waters provide habitat for amphibians, insects, and many species of birds.
• Wetland / Seasonal pool — Temporary or permanent shallow wetlands support amphibians, insects, and migrating wildlife.

Creative and Low-Cost Water Ideas

• Upcycled container dishes — Old lids or trays can become shallow water sources.
• Rock with a natural depression — A flat stone with a dip can hold small amounts of water after rain, similar to natural puddles.
• Clay pot saucers — Saucers make excellent shallow basins for insects and birds.

Provide Shelter in Your WILD Space

Shelter is just as important as water. Wildlife needs places to stay warm in winter, cool in summer, hide from predators, and nest or rest throughout the year. Below is a wide range of shelter features your schoolyard can incorporate.

Ways to Provide Wildlife-Friendly Shelter in Your WILD Space

Vegetation-Based Shelter

• Potted plants — These are great for schools with limited digging space.
• Ground cover — Ground cover provides cool, moist hiding places for insects and amphibians.
• Leaf litter — A critical microhabitat for insects, leaf litter also supports soil health.
• Dense area of native grasses/perennials — Clusters of perennials, ferns, and grasses give small creatures places to hide.
• Vines — Climbing plants create vertical habitat and nesting cover.
• Meadow/prairie plantings — Tall grasses and wildflowers offer shelter and food.
• Host plants for caterpillars — These plants are essential for butterfly life cycles.
• Hollow plant stems — These offer nesting habitat for native bees.
• Evergreen trees/shrubs — Trees and Shrubs provide year‑round cover from weather.
• Deciduous trees/shrubs — These create layered habitat for birds and insects.

Structural Natural Shelter

• Rock pile — This feature creates cool, shaded micro‑habitats for insects and amphibians.
• Brush pile / Log pile — Piles offer excellent shelter for insects, amphibians and small mammals.
• Open sunny ground for solitary bees — Many solitary native bees tunnel into bare soil, making ground beneficial.
• Burrow — Natural underground hideaways used by small mammals and amphibians for shelter and safety.

Human-Made Shelter Structures

• Bug hotel — This structure supports solitary bees and beneficial insects.
• Bird nesting/roosting box — These boxes can be created at home, or you can opt to provide the material for the birds to make their own.
• Bat house — These houses provide summer roosting habitat for bats—here’s a video tutorial.
• Toad abode — These homes give toads a place to rest and eat.
• Snag (standing dead tree) — Snags supports cavity‑nesting birds and insects (when safe to maintain on site).

A Note on Maintenance

Remember: Keeping your garden free of pesticides ensures these shelter areas remain safe for wildlife and the insects many animals depend on for food.

 It’s Not Too Late to Request FREE Native Plants!

There’s still time to apply for a chance to receive free native pollinator plants through the WILD Spaces program.

Request your plants >

Thanks for Growing With Us!

Your efforts are making a real difference for local biodiversity. By offering water and shelter, you’re helping your WILD Space become a living, thriving habitat — and a powerful learning environment.

Let us know how your garden is evolving — we love seeing photos and stories from your schoolyard!

If you discovered this blog on our website, be sure to sign up for the WILD Spaces e‑blast. You’ll receive monthly updates, next‑step reminders, and resources featuring each month’s highlighted pollinator — everything you need to stay inspired and keep your garden growing strong!

Canada has two species, Naked Mitrewort (Mitella nuda) and Two-leaved Mitrewort (Mitella diphylla), both of which are also called Bishop’s Cap, depending on who you talk to. There were others in this genus but thanks to reclassifications, they are now members of other genera. [Note: Genus and genera are the scientific words for the group(s) of plants within a family.]

While Two-leaved Mitrewort is native to Ontario and Quebec, Naked Mitrewort can be found in all provinces and territories, although its current presence in Nunavut is uncertain. Both grow in rich woodland and forest environments amid moss, rotting logs and other woodland wildflowers. They can also grow along streambanks, with Naked Mitrewort found in wetlands such as swamps and bogs.

Naked Mitrewort forms low mounds with rounded heart-shaped leaves that have soft wavy edges. Exquisite, but ever so tiny, greenish off-white flowers form along a slender stem that rises above the leaves, with a height that can reach up to 20 cm tall.

Two-leaved Mitrewort, on the other hand, is similar but the leaves are taller, have sharper edges and can resemble maple leaves. It also has a pair of stalk-less leaves along its flowering stems, hence its names ‘Two-leaved’ and ‘diphylla’ which is Greek for ‘two leaves’. Its cousin is called ‘Naked’ or ‘nuda’ as its flowering stalks lack this set of leaves. Two-leaved Mitrewort flowers are just as remarkable as its cousins’ but are white and highly reminiscent of delicate snowflakes. This plant can grow to approximately 50 cm tall and has sometimes been confused with another woodland plant, Heart-leaved Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia), which grows in similar habitats and has similar-looking leaves. While their flowers are both white and bloom in spring along a stem that rises above the leaves, Heart-leaved Foamflower blossoms are as its name implies, like a foam, with flowers close enough together to give a frothy appearance when you stand back from the plant. If, however, you happen upon one of these plants when not in bloom, have a look at the hairs on the basal leaf stems. According to one iNaturalist.ca user, Two-leaved Mitrewort hairs grow at a 45-degree angle while those of the Heart-leaved Foamflower grow straight out from the stem, at a 90-degree angle, and of differing lengths.

Both miterwort plants bloom anywhere from April to June, depending on where you are in the country.  They are pollinated by flies such as mosquitoes, fungus gnats (in moist forested environments) and flower flies (also called hover flies but more scientifically known as syrphid flies). Mitrewort flowers also provide pollen and nectar for small solitary bees. Mitrewort has also been important to humans, as Indigenous Peoples have used it to treat sore eyes, earaches and fevers and as an emetic.

Once pollinated, tiny black shiny seeds form in a capsule that opens up fully with Naked Mitrewort. Two-leaved Miterwort is truer to its name as its seed capsule remains cup-like, resembling a ceremonial headdress worn by high-ranking clergy like bishops, called a miter. This is also how it got its other common name, Bishop’s Cap.

Gardeners can enjoy these plants by growing them in a damp shaded or partially shaded area. Two-leaved Mitrewort will often manage in drier spots, however, especially if the soil is rich with aged manure or compost. Having a light layer of fallen tree leaves around it can also help retain moisture and return nutrients to the soil. Mitrewort can grow well with other woodland plants that bloom around the same time, such as native geraniums and foamflowers, as well as ferns and mosses native to the area.

These unique ecosystems are very different from other wetlands. The top layer of this habitat is made up of living mosses and plants. Underneath this 30 to 50 centimetres of thriving plant material lies up to 10 metres of dead and decomposing Sphagnum mosses and plants. This is the water-absorbent substance known as peat. While some gardeners use it as a mixture to aerate soil and keep their plants hydrated, here are the top three reasons to find alternatives to gardening with this remarkable organic material, mostly found in the boreal forest and subarctic regions of Canada.

1. Peatlands Are Home to Many Species

Canada is the steward of more than one-third of the world’s peatlands. These bogs and fens cover about 14 per cent of the country, providing critical habitat for birds, fish, mammals, plants, reptiles and amphibians. This includes at-risk species like Woodland Caribou and Spotted Turtles. Another fascinating fact is that many native wild orchids are specialized to thrive only in the peatlands of the boreal forest.

2. Peatlands Can Provide a Nature-based Solution to Climate Change

Peatlands store carbon. These natural ecosystems help keep the planet cool by trapping CO2 deep underground for thousands of years. They can also keep the area around them cool through water vapour exchange and by providing vegetation cover. By leaving these peatland resources intact, they may help mitigate the impact of climate change.

3. Peatlands Help With Water Retention and Filtration

Often compared to soggy sponges, peatlands can help prevent flooding. They are also helpful in times of drought. In addition, they help filter and clean water. Estimates are that peatlands can remove up to 90 per cent of contaminants from the water column by essentially trapping them in their pores.

These are just a few of the reasons to conserve peatlands and leave this Sphagnum moss undisturbed in its natural settings. Disturbing these habitats can release carbon and pollutants back into the environment and prevent further carbon sequestration. But many gardeners are unsure what to use as a substitute when starting seeds or potting plants.

Here are some ideas to consider and decide what is right for you.

Coconut coir is the fibrous material that results from separating the inner layer of the coconut husk from the outer shell. In its raw form, it is stringy and is used to make rope, mats and biodegradable pots and hanging baskets. When grounded into a fine powder-like form, it has similar, if not more desirable, properties to peat moss. Among other things, coir aerates soil while holding more moisture than peat and can be easier to water by allowing the water to penetrate more easily. Additionally, as it does not stress our peatlands, coir is an appreciated alternative and has become more available in recent years. Before you buy some, however, it is worth considering that while much of the processing is manual, there is variation in some of the steps and resources used when cleaning the coir, from steaming to using chemicals. Where possible, read labels or contact suppliers to find out what was involved and if it is acceptable to you. The other factor is, depending upon the source, it may have been shipped from extremely far locations which involves more resources and creates more pollution in doing so.

Some gardeners avoid both peat and coir by using compost or well-aged manure from trusted local sources. This is perfect for adding to soil when potting plants to both amend the soil structure and add nutrients, especially if you save and reuse soil from your outdoor pots year after year. You may also wish to add perlite or vermiculite which provide additional aeration and drainage but do your research to see if they suit your particular planting needs.

As to seeds, while it is desirable to have sterilized soil to prevent seedlings from succumbing to diseases, when you look more closely, it seems that much of what is available, including peat, is not totally sterile. So, if you can’t find a peat-free seed starter mix, there are methods of sterilizing soil at home that can be found on-line. There are pros and cons to all ways – heating in the oven, the microwave or with steam – and it’s a matter of doing some checking to see which method is best for you, if any. Alternatively, many gardeners do sometimes plant seeds in regular soil and manage well, so while sterilization is definitely helpful, it is not always critical.

For more tips on growing native plants, check out WildAboutGardening.ca
To learn more about peatlands, check out the Hinterland Who’s Who videos and fact sheets or download a copy of CWF’s Wild About Peatlands poster.

To be out amongst rows of strawberry plants, eagerly peeking through their leaves to find the tasty treasures within is always fun. (It’s even more fun to munch on a couple while filling your basket!) If you’ve ever considered growing them at home but felt a bit daunted by the space or effort needed, you might want to consider having a patch of wild strawberries instead. While their berries are smaller, they are generally sweet, flavourful and a great way to get kids outside, eager to explore and discover what’s new in the yard. In a good year, one can harvest many handfuls of strawberries from just a tiny patch of about 61 by 61 cm.

A Rose by Any Other Name

Canada has three species of native strawberries, all of which have white flowers that bloom typically between April to June. They are part of the rose family and have five white petals arranged radially around the centre which has many stamens, the part of the flower that bears pollen. Once pollinated, they form red fleshy fruit-like structures (commonly referred to as the fruit or berry) which have many small achenes – commonly but incorrectly referred to as the seeds. These structures are technically the fruit and contain the seed within! Wild strawberry plants are low to the ground, growing up to 15 to 25 cm high. They have trifoliate leaves, meaning they are divided into three leaflets, in this case, with toothed edges. Wild strawberries spread by sending out runners which grow along the ground and plant roots a distance away from the parent plant, anywhere from 15 to 50 cm.

Watch out for the non-native look alike, Indian Strawberry (its name reflecting its origin from India and other Asian countries) Potentilla indica, once called Duchesnea indica. Its other common names are Mock Strawberry and False Strawberry for good reason – it, too, is a low growing plant with trifoliate leaves that have wavy or toothed edges and its fruiting bodies look just like an oversized wild strawberry. You can tell the difference by its flowers which are yellow and the larger rounder ‘berry’ which forms atop a stem pointing upwards, unlike wild strawberry fruit which typically hang down. The fruit are also edible but don’t have the same sweet flavour as a wild strawberry.

As to wild strawberries’ scientific name, Fragaria, it comes from the Latin word ‘fragra’ which comes from the more common word ‘fragrans’, describing a plant with fragrance. In this case, the strawberry fruit have a distinct and pleasant smell, especially if you crush them. ‘Strawberries’ refers to the fruit which form near to the ground. Many northern European countries call them ‘earth berries’ and people traditionally place straw around plants to lift the fruit up from the earth, keeping them cleaner and drier.

Benefits

Strawberry flowers provide nectar and pollen for many species of bees, flies and butterflies. Their ‘berries’ are eaten by birds and mammals, from chipmunks to bears and their leaves are a larval food plant for some butterfly species.

All parts of wild strawberry plants are edible and the plant as a whole is nutritious, providing minerals and vitamins A, B, C and E. Wild strawberries are also medicinal, acting as a tonic and providing support to organs like the liver and kidneys. They have been used to help with ailments such as gout and arthritis as well as to treat ulcers, wounds and sunburns. For some, these tiny but mighty plants are famous for treating digestive upsets. In fact, the roots and leaves were used in the original formula of “Dr. Fowler’s Extract of Wild Strawberry” that was sold in stores from 1901 to the mid-80’s.

Check out the plants below to see what species are native to your neck of the woods, especially if you fancy growing them at home as a ground cover, in the lawn or along pathways (for easy snacking!)

Coastal Strawberry / Beach Strawberry / Sand Strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis)

This species (subspecies Lucida and Pacifica) is found along the coast of BC, in meadows, sand dunes and coastal bluffs. They grow in full sun to partial shade and are somewhat drought tolerant given their affinity with sandy soils. Their leaves are typically shiny and dark green and they are considered to be slower spreaders than other Canadian species. This is not to be confused with another subspecies of this plant which grows in South America (hence its scientific name ‘F. chiloensis ssp. chiloensis’ and its common name Chilean Strawberry) which is one of the parent plants of the cultivated strawberry.

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Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)

As its common name implies, this strawberry species grows in woods, thickets, forest edges and meadows, especially where there is partial shade. It is widespread, reaching most of southern Canada from BC to NL and up into the Northwest Territories. A subspecies, Fragaria vesca subsp. Bracteata (Pacific / Western Woodland Strawberry) is found in BC and AB.  The fruit is typically elongated and the achenes stick out a bit like little bumps

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Virginia Strawberry / Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana)

There are a few subspecies of this plant and collectively they are native to all provinces and territories. You might spot one in disturbed areas like roadsides as well as meadows, fields and open areas of woodland. They do well in full sun as well as partial shade. Virginia Strawberry is the other parent plant of the cultivated strawberry. The fruit is typically more rounded than the Woodland Strawberry and its light-coloured achenes are sunken or indented on the berry.

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