RESPONSIBLE TRAVELLER

Lions, tigers, and manure? Oh my!

Allie Murray

The Toronto Zoo is more than just a fun place for families to visit and get up-close with animals! This August, the Toronto Zoo became the first in Canada to convert zoo manure into energy through the ZooShare Biogas project.

The ZooShare Biogas project is striving to make a wider impact on the fight against climate change. The project works to convert 2,000 tonnes of manure and 15,000 tonnes of food waste from grocery stores and restaurants into renewable energy for 250 homes across the Greater Toronto Area. The project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 20,000 tonnes per year.

“The mission of your Zoo is connecting people, animals, and conservation science to fight extinction,” Dolf DeJong, CEO of the Toronto Zoo, explained. “New initiatives and technologies like the ZooShare Biogas plant are important tools in that fight to save species. Conservation is a team sport and we need more players. I am grateful for partners like ZooShare for joining us on this journey to fight climate change and ensure a brighter future where wildlife and wild spaces thrive.”

The project ultimately works to fight climate change, and through that, fight animal extinction. To achieve this, the ZooShare Biogas project is working in partnership with Loblaw, Canada’s largest food retailer and industry leader in the fight to eliminate food waste. With the help from ZooShare and Loblaw, the

Toronto Zoo will work to educate students and the general public on the value of biogas and the importance of managing organic waste.

Similarly, this project will allow the zoo to participate in more low-carbon energy projects in the future, working alongside Canada’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

The zoo’s commitment to climate efforts doesn’t stop there—earlier this year, the zoo received a $380,000 grant from the Government of Canada’s Climate Action and Awareness Fund to continue their conservation initiatives. The funds will go towards the zoo’s Climate Action and Leadership Project created to engage youth from underrepresented communities to take action against climate change.

The program, which is referred to as the CALL, will offer a 12-week internship for individuals aged 18 to 30, as well as the Engaging Climate Action Champions leadership program for youth aged 15 to 17.

“I am inspired by the initiatives brought forward by Canadians from coast to coast to coast,” explained The Honourable Johnathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “All across Ontario, local groups like the Toronto Zoo are engaging in meaningful climate action that supports Canada’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Together we are building a cleaner, healthier future for our children and grandchildren.”

In addition to the two internships, participants will take on conservation projects at the zoo and in their own community. By showcasing the immediate action required for climate change on social media and working alongside community partners, the youth involved in these programs will make a big difference for conservation in Toronto.

Alongside their conservation efforts, the Toronto Zoo has launched various initiatives to support animals, protect endangered species, and more.

Partnering with the Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers, the zoo is committed to stopping the illegal trafficking of wildlife, specifically the harvesting of black bears. Similarly, they partnered with Giant Tiger to support endangered Amur tiger conservation. Today, there are fewer than 500 Amur tigers in the wild, one of which, named Mila, they have on-site at the Toronto Zoo. Online, visitors can watch a live stream of Mila adjusting to outdoor adventures and make donations towards care and conservation efforts at the zoo.

Mila was one of three Amur tiger cubs born at the Toronto Zoo and the only surviving cub of the bunch. Mila and her mother, who the zookeepers affectionately call Mazy, are a part of the zoo’s Species Survival Plan, where they work towards populating endangered species.

As part of their effort to save endangered species, they are building a new home for orangutans. The new habitat will enrich the lives of orangutans, allow for observational research and showcase the beauty of these animals to the public while explaining what efforts we can take to fight extinction.

The world has lost 120,000 orangutans throughout the last ten years due to habitat loss in the Sumatran rainforest. The Toronto Zoo is currently home to six orangutans, and with a new habitat, they can continue to rescue the endangered species.

Things to do at the Toronto Zoo

While there’s an abundance of animals to visit while visiting the zoo, there’s even more to explore—both in-person and online! The animal exhibits are split by continent—you can visit with ring-tailed lemurs and zebras in the African areas and get up-close and personal with polar bears, European reindeers, and Arctic wolves in the Tundra Trek.

While at the Zoo, book a Wild Encounter tour with scheduled behind-the-scenes visits to the polar bears, kangaroos, penguins, and so much more.

This Halloween, enjoy a spooktacular visit to the zoo! One of the nicest times of the year to visit the picturesque Rouge Valley, you can don your costume and enjoy the themed decor onsite.

Off the Beaten Path: Exploring the Trails of Waterloo Region

Alex Kinesella

Waterloo Region invites you to explore our wide-open spaces. Whether you’re looking for leisurely paths that meander into city parks and past historic sites, or trails that wind through scenic countrysides and forests, these trails are sure to inspire. SNYDER’S FLATS, WOOLWICH TOWNSHIP Located in the town of Bloomingdale in Woolwich Township, you’ll find this 100-hectare conservation area open to the public year-round. The reformed gravel pit is now a natural area featuring a large pond and a 4.5-kilometre trail. Snyder’s Flats is home to fantastic wildlife, including large brown and white raptors and beavers. FWR DICKSON WILDERNESS AREA, CAMBRIDGE Birders will find a fantastic selection of feathered friends at FWR Dickson Wilderness Area. This natural area includes great hills, two ponds, and a 4.8-kilometre walking trail. There’s also a wetlands area with a boardwalk to get you even closer to nature. HEALTH VALLEY TRAIL, ST. JACOBS The Health Valley Trail runs along the Conestoga River and winds its way into Waterloo. It’s an unpaved trail great for cross country skiing in the winter and mountain biking in the summer. URBAN EXPLORING ON KITCHENER WATERLOO’S IRON HORSE TRAIL This mixed-use trail connects Kitchener and Waterloo. The Iron Horse Trail runs from Erb Street West in Uptown Waterloo to Ottawa Street South in Kitchener. Along the trail, you’ll find opportunities to take a break and enjoy a bite to eat or pop into a craft brewery to sample a local beverage. The trail also runs through Kitchener’s beautiful Victoria Park and is a quick walk to downtown Kitchener. HURON NATURAL AREA, KITCHENER The Huron Natural Area is Kitchener’s largest nature space, with six trails that wind through woodlands and wetlands. Open year-round, the space is used for exploration and education. With the City of Kitchener’s support, Huron Natural Area is home to an Indigenous-led project to present the art and culture of past and present Indigenous communities that call the space home. WALTER BEAN TRAIL, WATERLOO REGION Waterloo Region’s longest trail is the Walter Bean Trail that runs through Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, and Woolwich Township. The 76 kilometre-long trail is open year-round and is enjoyed by hikers, cyclists, snowshoers, and more. The trail connects to the rare Charitable Research Reserve in Cambridge. RARE CHARITABLE RESEARCH RESERVE, CAMBRIDGE Located in Cambridge, the rare Charitable Research Reserve covers over 1,000 acres of protected natural area. The lands are used by researchers from across Canada as well as for hiking and exploring. rare is comprised of 24 different habitat types. It has an exceptional array of flora and fauna, with species that are ranked “significant” or “at risk” regionally, provincially, nationally and even globally. Although rare exists to protect these important landscapes, they also make them open to the public for appropriate recreation and independent learning. Discover more Waterloo Region trails at explorewaterloo.ca