Free Nature Guides at Your Fingertips

For hiking, canoeing and other adventures, our Nature of the North Guide is the perfect resource for travelers. You can find information about the plants and animals of northern Ontario in our two other newly updated guides – one on species at risk and another on forest foraging. Originally published in 2017, the revised guides include newly listed species at risk and additional forest foods that can be found in the north.

Ontario Nature’s popular online nature guides provide an excellent (and free) resource to learn about Ontario’s charismatic wildlife and habitats.

In our nature guides, you can explore Ontario’s vast biodiversity by reading about:

Backyard Habitats
Learn how to turn your backyard into a thriving ecosystem for diverse species. Read on

Northern Forest Foraging Guide
For those who like to forage, our guide stresses best practices for safe and sustainable harvesting. Read on

A Traveler’s Guide to Nature in Northern Ontario
Hot off the press, this guide is intended to be a starting point for learning more about the natural history of northern Ontario. It provides a brief overview of amazing landscapes, plants and animals. Read on

Species at Risk in Northern Ontario
Many species in Ontario are in trouble. This guide provides information about species at risk which live, at least part of the year, in northern Ontario. Since publishing the first edition of this guidebook in 2017, 10 new species have been listed as “at risk” in the northern parts of the province. Read on

Bat Guide
Ontario has 8 species of bats. They’re beneficial to humans, including consuming pests. Read on

Butterfly and Moth Guide
An entertaining guide to identifying Ontario’s beautiful butterflies and moths. Read on

Reptiles and Amphibians Guides
From turtles to snakes, frogs and salamanders, Ontario’s reptiles and amphibians are fascinating species. Read on

Summer months are great time to refamiliarize yourself with Ontario’s wild side by checking out our nature guides.

Yours for nature,

– The Ontario Nature Team

P.S. You can also subscribe to our award-winning magazine published quarterly.