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Celebrating Heritage, Diversity and Nature

As June draws to a close and we embrace summer, we hope that this time finds you safe and well. We are lucky to live in a great land that offers a wealth of nature to enjoy, especially in the summertime—from sparkling rivers and lakes, magnificent mountains, majestic coastlines, and vast forests, to urban greenspaces close to home.

For now the museum remains temporarily closed as we await Step 3 of the Government of Ontario's phased reopening plan. We miss our visitors, and look forward to welcoming you back soon. Stay tuned for the reopening updates.

Look to our social media channels for new content posted regularly. Follow us on Twitter, FacebookInstagram and YouTube. Discover more on nature.ca. 


Highlights

Proud supporter
Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival

This year marks the 25th anniversary of National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21).  We encourage everyone to learn more about the history, culture and outstanding contributions of Indigenous Peoples in this country. The museum was proud to partner with the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival. You can still enjoy a variety of free activities available until June 30 on the festival's site, and on their Facebook page (facebook.com/SolsticeFestivals).

Bon appetit!
Recipes with foraged plants 

Follow along with botanist Paul Sokoloff as he prepares two awesome recipes using weeds commonly found near our homes. Follow the video to learn how you can make a pesto with garlic mustard and a dandelion-green salad with vinaigrette. Discover more about sustainable foraging at https://nature.ca/en/plan-your-visit/whats/canada-day. This activity is part of the official Canada Day celebration kit. Enjoy games, crafts and more at: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/canada-day/celebration-kit.html

Identify these plants
Play Weed Bingo

What plant, when crushed, smells faintly of garlic? What species has triangular leaves with irregular teeth around the bottom edge? Get into the "weeds"! Play weed bingo and have fun while learning what might be growing right in your backyard. A fun activity to do on Canada Day (or anytime!) with your family. Click below for the bingo card, and learn more at https://nature.ca/en/plan-your-visit/whats/canada-day

Pride Month
Special panel discussion with SOI alumni

Senior Research Assistant Paul Sokoloff, who has participated in Students on Ice Arctic (SOI) expeditions in his role as a botanist, was recently part of a panel of alumni sharing their experiences of  being LGBTQ+ in their field. The discussion was hosted by The Bridge, a youth engagement platform created by the SOI Foundation. Click the link below for the recording. Find out more about Paul, his background and field work in his talk: "Adventures as a midnight (sun) botanist": https://bit.ly/2RZtIKH

Species discovery
Mussels in a nutshell!

Discover the importance of the endangered Hickorynut Mussel species in this engaging animated video by the Ottawa Riverkeeper. It includes photos and video footage from our own mussel expert, Dr. André Martel, a research scientist and diver who has numerous collaborations with conservation organizations such as the Riverkeeper.


Collections Corner

Behind the scenes
Chamaenerion angustifolium

During the summer months, Chamaenerion angustifolium  grows along rivers, and on the edges of mountains and roads. Its common name (Fireweed) refers to the fact that it's one of the first plants to regrow in forest-fire areas. Fireweed is the official floral emblem of the Yukon Territory, but it's found in other areas of Canada as well. The above left image shows a specimen collected in the Northwest Territories; the middle and right photos were taken in Nunavut. Learn more about the provincial flowers, and how to make chalk-paint so you can add floral beauty to your driveway or garden path, at nature.ca. Click below to get started!

QUICK LINKS







Editor: Laura Sutin
Questions or comments can be sent to lsutin@nature.ca

Photos
Header image (Botany Pride): Paul Sokoloff
Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival
Chenopodium album : Creative Commons
C. angustifolium photos (Nunavut): Roger Bull


Canadian Museum of Nature
Canadian Museum of Nature
P. O. Box 3443, Station D / PO Box 3443, Stn. D
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1P 6P4