Get out and explore biodiversity with BioKits!

To mark the International Year of Biodiversity, the Biosphère, Environment Museum located in Montréal and managed by Environment Canada, has developed a series of BioKits.  These observation guides for wildlife, plant life and nature invite you to explore the country’s amazing natural wealth using your five senses. Whether in the city or out in the wild, each BioKit will lead you to new adventures!

A BioKit for every location

On the street, in alleyways, schoolyards or in a neighbourhood park, the Urban BioKit provides an opportunity to discover the unknown natural treasures hidden in Canadian cities.  Out in the woods or in other places far from the city, the Nature BioKit allows you to explore wild and diverse environments. During summer or winter, the Biokits ensure lots of fun with friends, family, and nature lovers!

For more information on the BioKits and to download them free of charge, go to the Environment Canada’s website at the following address: http://www.ec.gc.ca/biotrousses-biokits.

Canadian School celebrates their Involvement in the International Year for Biodiversity

St-Laurent Academy School in Ottawa, Canada held a special assembly today to mark the ending of a successful year in biodiversity awareness and engaging youth with the Youth Accord for Biodiversity. Much of our work is with the Macoun Marsh, a unique wetland in the middle of the city.  Over 1300 species have been recorded here over the past 8 years. 

Meerkat Adoptions at the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (United Kingdom)

William, the slender tailed meerkat

The slender tailed meerkat is a small mammal and a member of the mongoose family. Meerkats live in all parts of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana and in South Africa. A group of meerkats is called a ‘mob’, ‘gang’ or ‘clan’. A meerkat clan often contains about 20 meerkats, but some super-families have 50 or more members. Meerkats have an average life span of 12-14 years.

Its tail is not bushy like all other mongoose species, but is rather long and thin and tapers to a black or reddish coloured pointed tip. The meerkat uses its tail to balance when standing upright. Its face tapers, coming to a point at the nose, which is brown. The eyes always have black patches around them and it has small black crescent-shaped ears that can close to exclude soil when digging. Like cats, meerkats have binocular vision, a large peripheral range, depth perception, and eyes on the front of their faces.

The information above is from the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.  For more information on Meerkats and for the possible adoption of William, please see http://www.durrell.org/

Canadian Youth Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp.

Show your commitment to wildlife habitat conservation by purchasing the Canadian Youth Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp. The recently released 2011 stamp features an image painted by 18 year old Bethany Harris from Millarville, AB and features a moose in its native habitat. Proceeds from the sale of the Youth Stamp will fund conservation activities undertaken by youth. Learn more by visiting www.whc.org/youth-and-wildlife.

Rescued Bird in Panama

Bird Mortality chart with windows at the highest
(From Sibley bird guides website)



Bird I have picked with a glove and rescued after it suffered a hit against the window
in the end it flew away alive.


So many birds die annually because of windows and a collision.
This happens because the bird's natural habitat is reflected into the glass.
To the bird it basically looks like more forest or a tree to land on.
It's sometimes a deadly illusion.
Fortunately sometimes it just stuns the bird and it flies away like the one above.
I have put  CD's up at the windows  in my house to prevent the birds from colliding with them.
I intend to put up more because it seems to be working.
I hope that I am making a small difference in the lives of all birds around my house
and neighbourhood.

Mr. Panamá 

INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF FORESTS 2011

Forests are home to millions of people and are responsible for the livelihoods of over a billion people.  Most of terrestrial biodiversity is found here.  Join us as we explore forests over the next twelve months. 

UPDATING OUR WEBSITE Biodiversitymatters.org

Our main biodiversity youth website is being redone.  If you have a youth project for us to advertise, let us know and we will put it up.