On Sunday, Nov. 13, Santa went green at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair handing out native White Spruce seed kits to one and all. Growing a tree from a tiny seed is an up-close, first-hand way to learn about biodiversity, which is why Trees Ontario and OPG have teamed up this International Year of Forests to distribute native tree seed kits at the “Royal.”

This fall, visitors to Canada’s largest urban national park had one more reason to enjoy the beauty of Rouge Park – the OPG Biodiversity viewing platform. Overlooking the scenic Rouge River, the platform is the result of an ongoing partnership between OPG and Rouge Park. This is in addition to the second annual fall hike series, which features seven environmentally diverse guided walks.

“Today, we want to thank our partners at Ontario Power Generation for your contribution … which has enabled us to continue these wonderful public outings, and bring a whole new way to see the Little Rouge Valley from this lookout,” said Alan Wells, Chair of the Rouge Park Alliance. “Supporting the growth of this program really does help us make stronger connections with our visitors.”

Sunday, Oct. 2 was Bruce Trail Day, an annual event celebrating Canada’s oldest and longest footpath. The BTC, Ontario Power Generation and various Clubs of the Bruce Trail Conservancy hosted several free guided hikes and family activities along the Niagara Escarpment. These photos are from the morning hike at the Terra Cotta Conservation Area.

In mid-May, station staff at the Nanticoke Generating station discovered three peregrine falcon chicks under one of the station’s conveyor systems. Recently hatched, the chicks – named Volt, Coalton and Kay by station staff – were retrieved with the help of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Canadian Peregrine Foundation. Following an overall health check, the chicks were banded and then returned to their nest. The mother of the peregrines, which are considered to be “species at risk,” returned later that morning and was spotted feeding her young.

Bird banding helps researchers identify birds to understand dispersal and migration, behaviour and social structure, lifespan and survival rate, reproduction and population growth.

For more, read the article that appeared in the Simcoe Reformer.

Click on the thumbnails to view larger images.

On Apr. 9, 10, 16 and 17 LEAF – Local Enhancement  & Appreciation of Forests and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) teamed up for the International Year of Forests to build awareness and promote the value of urban trees. They gave away free White Spruce seed kits at select Cadillac Fairview malls in the GTA. Representatives from LEAF and OPG were on hand to answer questions about trees and the importance of urban forests. Growing a tree from a tiny seed is an up-close, first-hand way to learn about biodiversity. While supplies last, families were given a tree seed kit with growing instructions, including online registration where they can record and track the progress of their own tree.

On Sunday, Nov. 14, Santa went green at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair handing out native White Spruce seed kits to one and all courtesy of Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and Trees Ontario.

Growing a tree from a tiny seed is an up-close, first-hand way to learn about biodiversity, which is why Trees Ontario and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) have teamed up this International Year of Biodiversity to distribute native tree seed kits at the 2010 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. For the duration of the Fair, families joined OPG, Trees Ontario and Santa as they encouraged Ontarians to grow trees to help reduce carbon dioxide, protect existing forests and provide new habitats for forest wildlife.

Recently a few employees captured these photos at Lambton Generating Station in St. Clair Township. Biodiversity abounds at this site; click on a thumbnail below to take a look.

This year OPG and the Bruce Trail Conservancy teamed up for a number of guided hikes along the Bruce Trail. Browse through a few pictures from those hikes here.

Rouge Park kicked off its new Fall Biodiversity Walks – a series of themed walks with trained guides – in partnership with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) on Saturday, Sept. 25.  The official launch event, held on Saturday, Oct. 23 included migratory bird watching and hikes guided by a few honourary guests, including the Chairman of the Rouge Park Alliance, Alan Wells, and Scarborough East Councillor, Ron Moeser. Throughout the fall, visitors discovered parts of the Park they might not have visited yet, and learned and shared a bit more about their favourite spot in the Park.

Over 50,000 people from around the province attended this well known, award-winning event in Port Elgin on Oct. 2 and 3. The drama again this year was at the big tent where a pumpkin weighing in at 1,618.2 pounds was only 50 pounds short of the Canadian record. After this excitement, crowds gathered in OPG’s Feathered Friends tent along with groups that work with wildlife and habitats such as Saugeen Conservation Authority, Marine Heritage, Friends of McGregor Provincial Park and SauGreen. The main attraction, however, was the Canadian Raptor Conservancy’s Birds of Prey free-flying presentation where a golden eagle, red-tailed hawk and peregrine falcon performed three shows daily. After the show, crowds flocked to OPG’s Feathered Friends tent where OPG volunteers helped over 850 people - young and old - make bird feeders from seeds, ice cream cones and lard.