Sweeping from Toronto to Lake Huron and Lake Erie is a region of biological richness unmatched in Canada. Here the native trees have unusual names -- Sassafras, Cucumber Magnolia, Tulip-tree, Black Walnut, Pawpaw -- evoking the distinctly southern character for which the region is named. The zone is also home to dozens of species of plants, grasses and wildflowers, as well as animals, birds, fishes and mussels, amphibians and reptiles, butterflies, dragonflies and other insects not found elsewhere in Canada. The Carolinian region is only a quarter of a percent of the country's total land area, but close to one-third of Canada's rare and endangered plants and animals live here. So does more than a quarter of the country's population. Many unique species depend on the region's distinctive habitats, many of them also in jeopardy. The Carolinian landscape is one of the most threatened in North America. This book is a labour of love for the contributors, naturalists and scientists who share their knowledge of the diverse richness and rarity of the species and spaces in Carolinian Canada through engaging and informative text.

Policies promoting Toronto as a global city and provincial economic engine have been seen as beneficial to the development of all of Ontario, yet much of the province has borne significant environmental, social, economic, and political costs as a result of one city's growth. Contributors to this volume call for a radical re-imagining of public policy at local, provincial, and federal levels, that accounts for Ontario's overlooked regions. Beyond the Global City presents a kaleidoscopic view of the province - the rich fields and small towns of the southwest, the productive agricultural lands of rural Huron County, historic Kingston and the Upper St Lawrence, the social and cultural diversity of the Ottawa valley, the near mythical woodlands and waters of Muskoka and Georgian Bay, and the heavily exploited coasts and waters of the Great Lakes - to provide a deeper understanding of its various communities. In a series of regional studies, contributors describe each area's distinctive qualities and challenges and offer recommendations about what is needed to move them forward in a more equitable and sustainable way. Two initial historical chapters lay the framework for the regional discussions, while cross-cutting and integrated chapters analyze the state of natural and cultural heritage and current development theory provincially, offering guidance for the future.

More trees. Hydrogen-fuelled cabs. Urbiology. A new model of taxation. Solar panels on big-box stores. The art of salvage. Composters for dog poo in city parks. Retrofitting our urban slabs. Gardening the Gardiner. Ravine City. What would make Toronto a greener place? In the third volume of the uTOpia series, dozens of imaginative Torontonians think big and small about sustainability. From suggestions for changes to our transit system and more mixed-use neighbourhoods to a tongue-in-cheek proposal for a painted line aroudn the city and a short comic book about Toronto in the year 2057, GreenTOpia challenges the city and its residents to rethink what it means to be green in a metropolis, and how to take their love of the city one green step further. Other pieces include an interview with Mayor David Miller and a breakdown of the ecological impact of our morning coffee. GreenTOpia features photos, maps and a 56 page green directory of resources, organizations, incentives and programs promoting sustainability in the GTA.

With many pollinators threatened, gardeners can make a real difference by planting native species that support these amazing creatures. If you're a gardener (or aspiring gardener) in the northern US, this beautiful 4-color guide will become your go-to reference to the most beneficial plants in your area. Through profiles of more than 300 native plants, featuring lovely illustrations and photos, you'll discover everything you need to know about blooming periods, exposure, soil moisture, and good plant companions. You'll also find helpful tips about how to prepare your site and sample garden designs, whether you're growing black-eyed Susans on your balcony or a mix of native grasses, trees, shrubs, and vines in a community garden. Throughout, you'll discover the power of plants to not only enrich your personal environment but to support the pollinators necessary for a thriving planet.

The Grand River, winding for nearly 300 kilometres through southwestern Ontario, is a Heritage River, its watershed rich in prehistoric, historical and contemporary features. It is important in the history of First Peoples, and the story of European settlement along its banks is a microcosm of that in Canada as a whole. The watershed contains many treasures, such as part of the Carolinian Forest, some of the best farmland in Canada, the spectacular Elora Gorge and a wealth of historic architecture. Far more than that, the Grand is both uniquely itself and also typical of many of the planet’s rivers in the challenges it faces: issues of water management, farmland versus urban development, exploitation of natural resources and restoration of a polluted environment. Each of us lives in a watershed, and this is the story of our world. In the images and words of two artists, The Grand River explores the river’s history, beginning with its formation after the end of the last Ice Age. The book gives insight into the private life of a river—the dialogue of land and water—as well as the ways in which a river interacts with humans, vegetation, wildlife, weather and the planet. It takes the reader on an imaginary journey from the Grand’s first drop of moving water at the source to the point where it flows into Lake Erie.

Support biodiversity with this practical guide to creating habitat gardens for native pollinators in Southern Ontario. Saving the bees is an environmental cause that resonates deeply with Canadians. While much of the popular focus is on honeybees, an introduced species, many people are largely unaware of the importance of native bees. These pollinators are of crucial importance and are threatened by climate change, habitat loss and fragmentation, and disease and competition from non-native species and modern intensive agriculture. A Garden for the Rusty-Patched Bumblebee provides all the information needed for gardeners to take action to support and protect pollinators—by creating habitat in yards and communal spaces, and on balconies and rooftops. There are approximately 400 species of native bees in Ontario, including bumblebees, sweat bees, mining bees, cuckoo bees, leafcutter bees and cellophane bees. This book introduces and deepens the concept of pollinator gardening—creating gardens that help bees thrive—by exploring specialist relationships. For example, the native-to-Ontario sweat bee Lasioglossum oenotherae specializes in pollen from the native evening primrose plant. With plant recommendations specific to Southern Ontario, as well as useful garden designs and numerous tips for success, this compact, full-colour guide will enable gardeners to discover the crucial connections between native plants and native pollinators—and learn how to cultivate their own patch of pollinator paradise.