OPG and Trees Ontario are proud to support Goderich Trees as they work to replace lost trees and greenery following the F3 tornado that hit Goderich on Aug. 21, 2011.

You never miss a tree until it is gone. Goderich Trees’ goal is to assist private property owners with replacing trees and greenery with donated resources. Future interests also include helping people to restore their gardens by being the conduit to different horticultural societies that can assist.

To learn more about Goderich Trees, visit goderichtrees.wordpress.com or join the conversation on Facebook at facebook.com/goderichtrees.

November 9, 2011 – Join Santa on Sunday, Nov. 13, as he hands out native White Spruce seed kits at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., courtesy of Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and Trees Ontario.

The kits encourage Ontarians to grow trees to help reduce carbon dioxide, enhance existing forests and provide new habitats for forest wildlife.

WHAT: Santa goes green with OPG/Trees Ontario White Spruce seed kits

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 13 from 1 – 5 p.m. while supplies last

WHERE: Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Ricoh Coliseum at Exhibition Place.

Trees Ontario, working with its partners, is the largest not-for-profit tree planting partnership in North America. Trees Ontario aims to restore the province’s tree planting capacity throughout Ontario on private lands, by providing funding and planning support for its tree planting partners, including: local Conservation Authorities, Ontario Stewardship Councils, municipal governments and community volunteer groups. To learn more, visit treesontario.ca.

OPG Biodiversity is a series of province-wide conservation-focused, family-friendly action and education initiatives sponsored by OPG and its partners. Its goal is to get Ontarians involved in protecting and conserving biodiversity in our urban parklands and forest ecosystems. OPG Biodiversity builds on OPG’s commitment to conserving, sustaining and protecting nature and fighting climate change. For further information about OPG Biodiversity, visit opgbiodiversity.ca.

For more information about our presence at the Royal, please read our press release. To learn more about Trees Ontario, visit treesontario.ca. To learn more about the OPG/Trees Ontario Seed Kit program, visit seedkit.opgbiodiversity.ca.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Media Desk, Ontario Power Generation
1.877.592.4008
media@opg.com

Debbie Silva, Trees Ontario

1.877.646.1193 ext. 237

dsilva@treesontario.ca

The seed kit – an initiative of OPG Biodiversity – encourages young Ontarians and their families to get involved in protecting and conserving biodiversity in forest ecosystems and urban parklands. Visitors to the Trees Ontario/OPG booth will be given a tree seed kit with instructions, including online registration and where they can record and track the progress of their tree.

Forestry experts will be on hand to discuss tree planting tips and techniques, and to assess eligibility for tree planting subsidy and tax incentive programs.

Free native tree seed kits will be available*:

• At the Trees Ontario/OPG booth (Hall C#8711) on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the show (November 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13). Trees Ontario tree planters may be out on the show floor distributing seed kits during other days as well.
• On Sunday, November 13, handed out by Santa Claus and his helpers

* Tree seed kits will be available during specified show dates and locations noted above while supplies last.

Trees Ontario, working with its partners, is the largest not-for-profit tree planting partnership in North America. Trees Ontario aims to restore the province’s tree planting capacity throughout Ontario on private lands, by providing funding and planning support for its tree planting partners, including: local Conservation Authorities, Ontario Stewardship Councils, municipal governments and community volunteer groups. To learn more, visit treesontario.ca.

OPG Biodiversity is a series of province-wide conservation-focused, family-friendly action and education initiatives sponsored by OPG and its partners. Its goal is to get Ontarians involved in protecting and conserving biodiversity in our urban parklands and forest ecosystems. As part of its commitment to biodiversity, OPG and its partners have planted more than close to 5 million trees and shrubs since 2000. For more information, visit opgbiodiversity.ca.

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the largest combined indoor agricultural fair and international equestrian competition in the world. For more information, please visit: royalfair.org/.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Media Desk, Ontario Power Generation
1.877.592.4008
media@opg.com
Follows us @ontariopowergen

Debbie Silva
Communications and Events Coordinator, Trees Ontario
1.877.646.1193 ext. 237
dsilva@treesontario.ca

Now, Earth Rangers and OPG have teamed up on a project that goes beyond habitat protection and includes science research and conservation strategies. Building on OPG’s commitment and efforts to save the spotted turtle, this collaborative project will educate children and inspire them to come together in support of protecting the spotted turtle and their habitats across Ontario.

For more information, watch this video on the spotted turtle project.

Toronto: On Saturday, October 29, Rouge Park and Ontario Power Generation will celebrate the annual Fall Biodiversity Walk Series with the opening of a new scenic viewing platform, which overlooks the Little Rouge Creek Valley.

Special guests, community leaders and Park visitors will join Rouge Park Alliance members and OPG staff for a guided walk exploring the Park’s fall colours. The walk includes the first opportunity to enjoy the incredible view high above the valley from the new platform.

In addition, OPG and Rouge Park will celebrate their second year of partnership by offering seven different themed walks each week until the end of November. These walks, which feature a unique wilderness experience all within access to the TTC, offer virtually endless views of vibrant fall colours and the enjoyment of watching both the arrival and departure of migrating birds. Each hike is led by a trained Rouge Park volunteer guide and is open to the public – free of charge.

WHO:
Rouge Park Alliance, staff and leaders, OPG staff, community leaders, park visitors

WHAT:
Rouge Park and OPG Biodiversity Fall Walk Series and Viewing Platform Opening

Family Friendly? Of course! Child carriers recommended instead of strollers due to uneven terrain.

Dog Friendly? Leashed dogs are welcome.

WHEN:
Saturday, October 29, 2011
9:00-9:30 a.m. Guest and visitor arrival
9:30 a.m. Welcome; walkers head to viewing platform
9:45 a.m. Official welcome and remarks, opening of viewing platform
10:00 a.m. Guided walk resumes

WHERE:
Roadway outside of 1749 Meadowvale Road, Toronto (opposite the Toronto Zoo).

CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE MAP

Driving Directions: From Highway 401: Exit Meadowvale Road northbound. Continue north past Sheppard Ave. E. Take the ramp leading to the Toronto Zoo, merging right to an open parking area.

Public Transit: Bus 85 or 86 via Toronto Zoo. Get off at the stop before the Zoo (before stoplights on the ramp) and walk east to the open roadway and parking area.

OPG Biodiversity is a series of province-wide conservation-focused, family-friendly action and education initiatives sponsored by OPG and its partners. Its goal is to get Ontarians involved in protecting and conserving biodiversity in our urban parklands and forest ecosystems. OPG Biodiversity builds on OPG’s commitment to conserving, sustaining and protecting nature and fighting climate change. For further information, visit opgbiodiversity.ca.

Rouge Park is over 40 km2, located in East Toronto (Scarborough) and Markham, encompassing a unique mosaic of river valley, creeks, forests, meadow and rural landscapes, within the Rouge River, Petticoat Creek and Duffins Creek watersheds in the Greenbelt, and represents Canada’s largest natural environment park in an urban-rural setting. The Park offers a range of enhanced visitor experiences, from exploring 16 kilometres of rustic hiking trails to participating in exciting wildlife monitoring programmes. Learn more at rougepark.com.

For detailed information about the Fall Biodiversity Walks Series, visit rougepark.com/hike or opgbiodiversity.ca.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Media Desk, Ontario Power Generation
1.877.592.4008
media@opg.com

or

Michelle Holmes, Manager of Visitor Experience, Rouge Park
905.713.6021
michelle_holmes@rougepark.com

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Escarpment Forest Hike Series – Free Guided Hikes

Join a BTC ecologist or volunteer on an exploration of Niagara Escarpment forest life at one of 14 locations on the Bruce Trail. On September 18, 2011 hikes will take place in Burlington, Waterdown, Milton, and the Caledon Hills. On October 2, 2011 — Bruce Trail Day – hikes will be offered at ten locations along the length of the Bruce Trail from Niagara to Tobermory.

These introductory hikes are a perfect way for the whole family to explore and learn about the Bruce Trail, the fantastic forests of the Niagara Escarpment, and what we can all do to preserve them.  After exploring the Trail with a Bruce Trail ecologist or volunteer, hikers will walk away with a special Bruce Trail forest field guide, a great tool for learning more about our treasured forests.

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 18

Two-hour family hikes starting at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

WHERE: Four locations: Burlington, Waterdown, Milton, Caledon Hills

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WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 2 – Bruce Trail Day

Times vary – visit brucetrail.org for details

WHERE: 10 locations between Niagara and Tobermory

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Heritage Tree Scavenger Hunt

Explore the Bruce Trail to find 16 remarkable and inspiring heritage trees in BTC’s first ever scavenger hunt and you may be the winner of a Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) gift card.  Visit brucetrail.org for details on how to find each tree, including full driving and hiking directions.  GPS coordinates are provided for those who’d like to ‘geocache’ their way to the trees. You will know you have found one of the scavenger hunt trees when you see two signs at its base: one with fun facts about the tree; and a second revealing a code word.  Record and submit ten unique code words to forests@brucetrail.org and you may be one of 10 lucky winners of a $50 MEC gift card.

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About OPG Biodiversity:

OPG Biodiversity is a program of province-wide, conservation-focused, family-friendly action and education initiatives sponsored by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) in partnership with local and provincial not-for-profit conservation and biodiversity organizations.  Its goal is to get people involved in protecting and conserving biodiversity in our urban parklands and forest ecosystems. OPG Biodiversity builds on OPG’s commitment to conserving, sustaining and protecting nature.

About The Bruce Trail Conservancy:

The Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC) is a charitable organization committed to establishing a conservation corridor containing a public footpath along the Niagara Escarpment, in order to protect its natural ecosystems and to promote environmentally responsible public access to this UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.  The BTC is one of Ontario’s largest land trusts, protecting over 7,000 acres of natural spaces along the Niagara Escarpment.

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For photos or more information contact:

+

Marsha Russell

Director of Marketing and Communications

The Bruce Trail Conservancy

PO Box 857

Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9

T: (905)529-6821

1-800-665-4453

mrussell@brucetrail.org

www.brucetrail.org

+

Ontario Power Generation

Media Relations

1-877-592-4008 or (416) 592-4008

media@opg.com

twitter/OntarioPowerGen

www.opgbiodiversity.ca

(Toronto, Ontario – September 3, 2011)

Celebrating the International Year of the Forest, Rouge Park and Ontario Power Generation invite residents of the Greater Toronto Area to explore a wilderness close to home with a guided walk. Rouge Park’s Fall Biodiversity Walks in partnership with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) celebrates its second year, offering 7 themed walks a week with trained guides, free to the public, through October 30th.

Take a walk with us on these specially-themed outings. We’ll introduce you to Rouge Park and help you learn more about the diverse wildlife and landscapes that make up this natural quilt. Look for walks just for kids, just for adults, for everyone and dog-friendly outings. With trained leaders to guide the way and some special guests adding extra colour to the walks, we promise you’ll fall in love with Rouge Park!

Located in Toronto, and in the Ontario Greenbelt, Rouge Park represents Canada’s largest natural environment park in a near-urban setting. Join us to explore a truly unique area of biodiversity within a half hour’s drive of downtown Toronto. Rouge Park is over 40 km2, encompassing a mosaic of river valley, creek, forest, meadow and rural landscapes, within the Rouge River, Petticoat Creek and Duffins Creek watersheds.

WHEN: September 3rd to October 30th, 2011 – Wednesdays at 9:30am, Weekends 9:30am, noon and 2pm. Walks go rain or shine. Please dress and have footwear appropriate for trail walking.

WHERE: Meeting at various points in the Toronto area of Rouge Park. Check out the schedule for details and meeting points at rougepark.com/hike. For further details on the walks, contact Diana Smyth, Trail Coordinator, at hike@rougepark.com or 905 713 3184 (Monday to Thursday).

EXAMPLES OF WALK THEMES:
Welcome to Rouge Park If you are new to Rouge Park or a regular visitor, this walk will get you ready for further adventures with us! As we always say, “You never know what will happen.”

Get Your Binoculars! It’s Fall Bird Migration! We’re coming on to the peak of fall bird migration. Join us to see who’s around and about as our winged neighbours get ready to make a move… or stay right here in Rouge Park!

Fall Fit Join us for a walk in the woods to stay Fall Fit! We take things faster than our usual pace, but always stop when something catches our eyes or ears. Trail walks at a fitness pace are a great natural workout, training you in different ways than you’d expect. Come away from this walk feeling the challenge but having seen lots more than you would in a gym! It’s a win win for your body and spirit.

Fall Colours It’s that time again! Time for Rouge Park to show off it’s colourful autumn coat. Come often for these walks on different trails to watch the progression and profusion without the long drive in search of a ‘colour corridor’. Learn more about how this hallmark of Ontario’s fall landscape happens, and captivates us every year.

Rouge Park Junior Hikers Kids are the focus of these walks, as we will take to the trail for a mix of activities to awaken the nature nut within your little ones. Don’t forget to dress for the sun as well as the rain; we go either way!

Animals Getting Ready for Winter Let’s talk about the types of habitats Rouge Park’s wild residents need to thrive, and how our actions can help keep their homes and food sources safe. How are our winged, shelled and furry neighbours getting ready for winter? Along the way, it’s likely we’ll hear and see some of the creatures that call the Park home.

About Rouge Park
Rouge Park is over 40 km², located in East Toronto (Scarborough) and Markham, encompassing a unique mosaic of river valley, creeks, forests, meadow and rural landscapes, within the Rouge River, Petticoat Creek and Duffins Creek watersheds in the Greenbelt, and represents Canada’s largest natural environment park in an urban setting. The Park offers a range of enhanced visitor experiences, from exploring 16 kilometres of rustic hiking trails to participating in exciting wildlife monitoring programs.

About OPG Biodiversity
OPG Biodiversity is a program of province-wide, conservation-focused, family-friendly action and education initiatives sponsored by Ontario PowerGeneration (OPG) in partnership with local and provincial not-for-profit conservation and biodiversity organizations. Its goal is to get people involved in protecting and conserving biodiversity in our urban parklands and forest ecosystems. OPG Biodiversity builds on OPG’s commitment to conserving, sustaining and protecting nature. For further information, visit opgbiodiversity.ca.
For detailed information about the Fall Biodiversity Hikes Series, visit rougepark.com/hike or opgbiodiversity.ca

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Media Desk, Ontario Power Generation
1.877.592.4008
media@opg.com

For more information, read the Thunder Bay Newswatch article or view a short video clip.

(TORONTO August 22, 2011) – Monarch Butterfly sightings will be in full swing when Monarch butterflies start their annual journey of more than 3,500 kilometres from Canada to Mexico where they spend the winter. This incredible migration takes place between August and November and begins with the gathering of Monarchs at places like Tommy Thompson Park,  Toronto’s largest greenspace that provides critical habitat for butterflies. More than 55 species of butterflies have been recorded to date at the park. On Saturday, August 27 at the third annual Tommy Thompson Park Butterfly Festival, , children, families and nature lovers can be part of this migration phenomenon, experience Monarchs up close and learn all there is to know about the butterfly conservation.

The festival is sponsored by Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA), Ontario Nature and Ontario Power Generation (OPG).

WHEN: Saturday, August 27, 2011 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Some activities require registration. Visit www.butterflyfest.ca for activity details and registration.
• For media registration, please see contact information below.

WHAT: Tommy Thompson Park Butterfly Festival

• Free!
• Guided walks through park meadows to view migratory butterflies
• Live bird banding demonstrations by experts
• Learn how to grow a garden to attract and sustain butterflies
• View insect and butterfly displays – learn from expert entomologists
• See birds of prey presented by Wild Ontario

WHERE: Tommy Thompson Park, 3 Leslie Street, south of Lake Shore Boulevard East.

Free parking is available at the TTP parking lot or on Unwin Avenue and Leslie Street.

TTC directions: #83 Jones S. bus to Commissioner Street and Leslie Street, or Queen

Streetcar to Leslie Street stop.

NOTE: The park shuttle van will run throughout the festival area, but bicycles and walking shoes are recommended. Private vehicles and pets are not permitted in the park.

“As meadow enhancements continue and mature we are hoping to see an improvement in the number of butterfly species and their populations at Tommy Thompson Park. Just two weeks ago we received a report that a Horace’s Duskywing butterfly was observed at the park,” said Karen McDonald, , project manager at Toronto and Region Conservation “We are very excited about this sighting, as it is a new record for the park and for Toronto.  We look forward to celebrating butterflies and Toronto’s amazing biodiversity at the third annual Tommy Thompson Park Butterfly Festival.”

“Observing butterflies in their native habitat is a great hands-on way to learn about nature. Kids are naturally attracted to butterflies because of their intriguing shapes and colours and their accessibility,” said Caroline Schultz, Ontario Nature’s executive director. “The Tommy Thompson Park Butterfly Festival is a great way to celebrate the Monarch’s epic fall journey to Mexico and to learn about conserving Ontario’s butterfly species.”

About TRCA

With over 50 years of experience, Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) helps people understand, enjoy and look after the natural environment. Our vision is for The Living City®, where human settlement can flourish forever as part of nature’s beauty and diversity. For more information, call 416-661-6600 or visit us at www.trca.on.ca or

www.ttpbrs.ca

About Ontario Nature

Ontario Nature protects wild species and wild spaces through conservation, education and public engagement. Ontario Nature is a charitable organization representing more than 30,000 members and supporters and over 140 member groups across Ontario. For more information, call 416-444-8419 or www.ontarionature.org

About OPG Biodiversity

OPG Biodiversity is a series of conservation-focused, family-friendly events sponsored by Ontario Power Generation in partnership with Ontario Nature, the Bruce Trail Conservancy, Earth Rangers, LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests), Rouge Park and Trees Ontario. Its goal is to spread the word about protecting and conserving biodiversity in our urban parklands and forest ecosystems, making it easy for people to get involved with the environment and help fight climate change. OPG Biodiversity is part of OPG’s commitment to conserve, sustain and protect nature.

For further information on these and other upcoming events, visit opgbiodiversity.ca.

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For information contact:

Rowena Calpito, Supervisor, Media Management
Toronto and Region Conservation
T: 416.661.6600 ext 5632
E: rcalpito@trca.on.ca

Kimberley MacKenzie, Director of Development
Ontario Nature
T: 289-231-1339
E: kimberleym@ontarionature.org

Ontario Power Generation
Media Relations
1-877-592-4008 or (416) 592-4008
@mediaopg on Twitter
opg.com

[Toronto, Ontario]: LEAF – Local Enhancement  & Appreciation of Forests and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) have teamed up for the International Year of Forests to build awareness and promote the value of urban trees. They will be giving away free White Spruce seed kits at select Cadillac Fairview malls in the GTA for the next two weekends.

Look for the booth with the Cardinal at the following locations:

• Promenade Shopping Centre – April 9
• Sherway Gardens – April 10
• Fairview Mall – April 16
• Markville Shopping Centre – April 17

Representatives from LEAF and OPG will be on hand to answer questions about trees and the importance of urban forests. Also find out more about tree conservation, the International Year of Forests and upcoming OPG Biodiversity programs.

Growing a tree from a tiny seed is an up-close, first-hand way to learn about biodiversity. While supplies last, families will be given a tree seed kit with growing instructions, including online registration where they can record and track the progress of their own tree.

Earlier this month, LEAF and OPG also collaborated to launch the Urban Forest Stewardship Network, an online resource where organizations, community groups and individuals from across Ontario can come together and learn about ways to protect and promote their living green infrastructure.

OPG Biodiversity is a series of province-wide, conservation-focused initiatives sponsored by OPG and its partners. Its goal is to get Ontarians involved in protecting and conserving biodiversity in our urban parklands and forest ecosystems. Find out more at opgbiodiversity.ca.

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For information contact:

Ontario Power Generation
Media Relations
1-877-592-4008 or (416) 592-4008
@mediaopg on Twitter
opg.com

LEAF – Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests
Kyle Ferguson, Manager, Marketing and Communications
Office 416-413-9244 ext. 16 or Cell 416-819-5631
@LEAF_to on Twitter
yourleaf.org