Exploring Canada

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Expl ring Canada Visit truenorthliving.ca to read our Q&A with wildlife photographer Daisy Gilardini.

Q& A

“Adventure Is for Everyone”:

Q&A WITH DAVE AND DEB, FOUNDERS OF THE PLANET D From working in the film industry to travelling around the world, Dave and Deb, founders of the award-winning travel blog The Planet D, share their adventures.

P H OTO C R ED I T: J O S EP H R O BY

What inspired you both to start a travel blog?

After years of having one foot in travel and one foot in pursuing careers in movies, we decided we wanted to pursue a career in travel. We had an idea to pitch an adventure show where an ordinary couple takes on extraordinary adventures.

So, we decided to pitch a TV show and signed up for one of the world’s longest cycling races, the Tour d’Afrique which stretched from Cairo in Egypt to Cape Town in South Africa.

We created our website, The Planet D, to keep people up to date on our progress through Africa, and also to have a place to showcase all of our media appearances, news articles, and videos. When we returned from Africa, the TV show didn’t pan out, but we had this great website that people were already following and interested in reading about our adventures.

What makes Canada such a unique travel destination compared to any other country in the world?

From the French culture of Quebec to the cowboy culture of Alberta along with incredible First Nations experiences across the country, Canada is a mosaic of cultures and traditions.

Each area has its unique qualities and the vibe that you have on the west coast is completely different than the east. Yet, they all feel similar because of that welcoming spirit of Canadians who are so friendly and open.

Any tips and tricks on how to travel on a budget?

There are so many things to do in Western Canada for free in the great outdoors. Hiking and cycling are our top picks for sightseeing and if you are driving and camping, all you need to pay for is gas and your campsite fees. You can see a lot of sights without needing to pay. Our top recommendation is to purchase a National Parks pass ahead of time, that way you don’t need to purchase it separately.

Follow along with Dave and Deb's adventures on Instagram @theplanetd.

Publisher: Raman Walia Business Development Manager: Melanie Kosev Senior Strategic Account Manager: Anna Sibiga Country Manager: Nina Theodorlis Content & Production Manager: Raymond Fan Designer: Kylie Armishaw Content & Web Editor: Karthik Talwar All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve The National Post or its editorial departments. Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com.

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How You Can Have an Impact on Conservation While Travelling The Canadian Wildlife Federation is offering a potentially life-changing program to turn travel dreams into reality.

Mike Bingley Director of Education, Canadian Wildlife Federation

OVID-19 restrictions have had a significant impact on international travel over the last two years. But if there’s a positive, more Canadians are targeting domestic tourism destinations and local eco-travel to help satisfy their wanderlust. For young Canadians whose dreams of exploring their homeland are being restricted by limited finances, the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) offers a rare and potentially life-changing program to turn those dreams into reality: the Canadian Conservation Corps.

Wilderness training and impactful service learning

Jon Wiersma Youth Manager, Canadian Conservation Corps, Canadian Wildlife Federation

The Canadian Conservation Corps (CCC) is a program developed by the CWF education department and funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada Service Corps initiative. The CCC program, launched in 2018, is a three-stage conservation leadership and service-learning opportunity for Canadians aged 18 through 30 looking to develop a deeper conservation ethic and connection with nature. It allows participants to make a significant impact on conservation in Canada while also enjoying travel experiences without worrying about how they'll pay for them.

According to Mike Bingley, Director of Education at the CWF, the CCC was purposefully designed to combine service learning with an immersive outdoor adventure as the first stage in the journey.

“Expeditionary travel has been proven to help people deeply examine what they care about in nature,” says Bingley. “We included the expeditions to allow people to bond with other like-minded people and reflect on what they care about in conservation. It helps them create and deliver meaningful, long-lasting conservation projects with their peers.”

Any 18- to 30-year-old looking to explore Canada while making a difference in conservation need look no further than the opportunity provided by participation in the CCC program. Individuals are offered multiple choices of coast-to-coast travel adventures. These journeys include essential skills training and relevant conservation education designed to inspire them to create the service projects they'll deliver as part of their final stage in the CCC program. The Canada Service Corps funding has been instrumental in offering young Canadians the opportunity to travel to new and distant parts of the country to deliver impactful service projects.

“Canada is a remarkable place filled with amazing natural spaces, but it’s pretty common to hear people talk about visiting Europe, Australia, or Asia before exploring

their own backyards,” says Bingley. “We wanted to allow young people to learn about the biodiversity that exists in different parts of the country they may never have previously visited and share it with their friends back home.”

Developing key life skills To deliver the highest-quality adventure travel experience, the CWF has partnered with Outward Bound Canada. This registered charity offers social-emotional education through experiential adventures in the outdoors.

According to Andrew Young, Executive Director at Outward Bound Canada, participating in the CCC program aligns perfectly with Outward Bound Canada’s mission.

Everyone, almost to a person, says it’s changed their life in some way.

They’ve gained a new perspective of the world and a new perspective of what they’re capable of.

“A lot of people come to us because we do outdoor adventure and outdoor education with a higher purpose,” says Young, whose company runs upward of 200 expeditions a year. “Not only are you getting a great experience in the wilderness, but you also get a chance to develop more of your own interpersonal and social-emotional skills.

These are precisely the skills that help youth succeed in their schools, communities, and future careers.”

Young says the individual takeaway for participants engaging in travel opportunities through the CCC is more than just memories of incredible scenery and team building.

“Everyone, almost to a person, says it’s changed their life in some way,” says Young.

“They’ve gained a new perspective of the world and a new perspective of what they’re capable of. A lot of people say they’ve found themselves out there. Others say they’ve gained a much greater sense of appreciation for the natural environment.”

Unique travel and service learning opportunity continues in CCC Stage 2 The opportunity for the CCC participants to travel outside of their home province continues beyond their Stage 1 adventure.

According to Jon Wiersma, Youth Manager at the CCC, travelling to other parts of the country to complete their service learning opportunities is a primary reason why many individuals register for the program. The fact that the expenses are covered removes one of the most significant barriers to participation.

In addition, the CCC participants get to enjoy a much longer experience in a new part of Canada as part of their Stage 2 placement volunteering with one of the CCC’s partners in conservation.

“Adventure travel is often something people have never done before, so it has significant appeal for registrants,” says Wiersma. “However, the main reason they join the CCC is because they want to have a meaningful impact on ot her pa r t s of Canada as well.

For ex a mple, they could be from Newfoundla nd and do their Stage 1 team-building and expedition in British Columbia. They could then choose to complete their Stage 2 placement with a partner in Alberta or Manitoba.

That's a three-month placement where they’d have a chance to explore more of the surrounding area, guided by a conservation mentor, to develop a deeper connection to the province before returning home to complete Stage 3.”

Removing financial barriers to participating in the program makes it more accessible to all young Canadians looking for ways to give back to Canada through service learning opportunities. Wiersma says such accessibility is welcomed by youth eager to complete their own future conservation projects to address issues like climate change, pollution, and habitat loss.

“They’ve been shocked since day one that this program is available,” says Wiersma.

More than 435 individuals have completed the program since it began in 2018. “We’re thankful the Canada Service Corps funding has allowed us to offer this incredible program to young people interested in service learning related to conservation that includes an incredible chance to travel and see new parts of Canada.”

For more information, visit canadian conservation corps.ca.

This article was sponsored by the Canadian Wildlife Federation.

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David DeRocco, Senior Manager: National Marketing & Events, Canadian Wildlife Federation

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Discover Canada: Enjoy Purposeful Travel with the Canadian Conservation Corps The Canadian Conservation Corps offers a life-changing experience that includes relevant social-emotional education, adventure training, skills development, and more.

David DeRocco, Senior Manager: National Marketing & Events, Canadian Wildlife Federation

T

he 18-to-30 age group is an important one for the future of Canada. Many of these individuals are struggling with university costs, living expenses, and the prospect of making big life decisions. The Canadian Conservation Corps (CCC) program offers this group an amazing opportunity: a chance to connect with like-minded peers across the country, deliver meaningful service, and recognize the value

of that service as it relates to conservation, their community, and the needs and impact of their efforts in other provinces.

Developed by the Canadian Wildlife Federation and fully funded by the Government of Canada through its Canada Service Corps initiative, the CCC is a life-changing experience that includes relevant social-emotional education, adventure training related to each journey, first aid, skills development, and team building.

HERE ARE EXAMPLES OF THE IMPACT THE CCC EXPERIENCE HAS HAD ON THE LIVES OF RECENT PARTICIPANTS Sonia Dharni, 27, Brampton, Ont. My journey featured a 14-day sea-kayaking expedition along British Columbia’s Pacific coast, departing from Tofino in Clayoquot Sound. Being able to travel through the CCC and experience the vast amount of biodiversity across Canada has made me realize one thing: we need to act now to help the future of our planet and the species of wildlife that inhabit it. Engaging in conservation service activities through the program not only fostered my personal relationship with nature but also helped spark curiosity in individuals in my community to step up, learn, and consider ways they could also contribute to improving the nature around them. By sharing my personal experiences and newfound connection with the natural world, I was able to showcase the value of providing service and encourage others to do more for wildlife!

Paul Emerson Almontero, 27, Calgary, Alta.

Through the CCC program, I was able to travel multiple time zones away from Calgary, Alta., to Gander, Nfld., for my first visit to Atlantic Canada. Our CCC cohort spent two weeks kayaking in the Bay of Exploits and conducting a citizen science project called “Bioacoustics — Bird Survey Data Collection through Recording” in partnership with Birds Canada for its Newfoundland Breeding Bird Atlas program. It was very special as it was the first time that Birds Canada was able to collect bird recording data in the Bay of Exploits area.

It was truly an expedition with a mission. The trip to Newfoundland has made me fall in love with Canada even more. It has motivated me to get further involved in conservation work and to promote a sustainable Canada.

Eamon Berteotti, 20, Raymond, Alta.

Travelling to Newfoundland and traversing the wilderness there has helped me build a connection with the natural world I live in. This connection has fostered a desire to give back to the wild and green spaces at home in southern Alberta, Canada, and the world.

Through the service projects delivered through my field-learning placement, I feel that I’ll be able to fulfill the desire to give back by helping conserve these beautiful wild spaces for the benefit of all.

Caitlin Brant, 26, Niagara Falls, Ont. Travelling across Canada to fulfill my CCC service opportunities has made me appreciate the value of conserving nature. I've seen other parts of the world that have unfortunately lost much of their wild spaces. I developed a project to create pollinator habitats with native plants across Canada in the hopes of preserving and creating new natural spaces, even in more populated areas of the country. Having seen the natural beauty that we're lucky enough to still have, I felt as though I needed to give back and help keep Canada the most beautiful country.

For more information, visit canadian conservation corps.ca.

This article was sponsored by the Canadian Wildlife Federation.

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Improving Access to Green Spaces Helps Ontarians to Thrive Ontario’s Greenbelt offers innumerable benefits to Ontarians, but equitable access to large parks remains a concern.

Tania Amardeil

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ntario’s Greenbelt is a permanently protected area of green space, farmland, forests, wetlands, watersheds, rivers, and lakes in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. It covers over two million acres, including the Niagara Escarpment and the Oak Ridges Moraine. The Greenbelt provides Ontarians with fresh air, clean water, and world-class outdoor recreation and tourism experiences. It offers protection to 78 at-risk species and offsets 71 million tonnes of carbon each year. It also helps support climate resilience, prevents further loss of farmland and natural heritage, restricts urban sprawl, and provides a reliable local food source. In short, it helps Ontario thrive.

Protecting Ontario’s Greenbelt As stewards of Ontario's Greenbelt, the Greenbelt Foundation works to ensure the Greenbelt remains permanent, protected, and prosperous. One of the great benefits of the Greenbelt is that it is home to many of the region’s large publicly-accessible parks and green spaces. Large parks are particularly important because of the wide range of benefits they provide, such as higher likeli-

hood of use for physical activity, their ability to provide a nature experience, and their provision of cooler areas during increasingly hot summers.

Green spaces are integral to the health and well-being of our residents and especially our children.

For a growing province, a new study shines light on gaps and inequities in Ontario’s larger park system. The Greenbelt Foundation recently released the “Improving Access to Large Parks in Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe: Policy, Planning, and Funding Strategies” report in partnership with Green Infrastructure Ontario, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Re:Public Urbanism, and the Ontario Parks Association. The report presents an analysis of the Golden Horseshoe’s current and planned large parkland distribution.

Addressing the need for large parks “Green spaces are integral to the health and well-being of our residents and especially

our children,” says Paul Ronan, Executive Director of the Ontario Parks Association.

“This report takes a snapshot of where we’re at now and where we need to go. This information will help our politicians and senior decision-makers ensure that parks receive the funding and support needed to maintain and sustain these valuable components of green infrastructure.”

The report found that 30 percent of visible minority and low-income neighbourhoods in the Golden Horseshoe have low access to large parkland, as do 55 percent of neighbourhoods with high ratios of Indigenous populations. The Golden Horseshoe needs to create 32,000 hectares of parkland over the next 30 years to maintain the current provision of large parkland based on projected population growth. “There’s a gap in large park planning across the region that needs to be addressed,” says Edward McDonnell, CEO of the Greenbelt Foundation. “All levels of government must ensure that as parkland grows, it is grown equitably in areas that need it most.”

The Golden Horseshoe is characterized by increasing land values, rapid development, and land scarcity, which makes establishing large parks quite difficult.

Many large parks in the area are already experiencing high user rates and the population is continuing to grow. The report offers planning, policy, and funding recommendations to improve park access for Ontarians.

After all, Ontario’s Greenbelt was created to help all Ontarians thrive.

To learn more about the Greenbelt Foundation, visit greenbelt.ca.

This article was sponsored by the Greenbelt Foundation.

P H OTO S C O U R TE SY O F TH E G R E E N B E LT FO U N DATI O N

LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT NORTHERN ADVENTURE?

The Northern Rockies Is a Must Majestic mountains, jade-coloured lakes, and amazing wildlife — Northern Rockies is a travel experience like none other.

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Ken Donohue

anadians are itching to experience new travel destinations w it hout t he crowds. The Northern Rockies offers the kind of jaw-dropping scenery and storied history that will have you asking why you haven’t visited before.

Tucked up in the northeastern corner of British Columbia, the Northern Rockies is waiting to be explored.

Majestic mountains, jade-coloured lakes, amazing wildlife, and welcoming towns — it’s a travel experience guaranteed to be like none other.

Stock up in Fort Nelson, the hub of the region, and hit the Alaska Highway to Muncho Lake, but leave lots of time, because waterfalls, hiking trails, and coursing rivers will tempt you to stop and explore along the way. Further on, you can relax in the Liard River Hot Springs, the second-largest hot springs in Canada.

The Northern Rockies is nature’s playground for all seasons. The days linger during the summer, allowing lots of time to explore. Come winter, the landscape turns into a winter wonderland perfect for many more outdoor activities and warming by the fire.

The region is home to several Indigenous communities whose people have been guardians of this spectacular landscape since time immemorial. Plan your visit around events throughout the year that showcase the traditional activities and cultures of these communities.

Discover a World of Adventure IN ONTARIO'S ALGOMA COUNTRY

Are you ready for amazing nature and wildlife experiences with a small-town feel? The Northern Rockies is waiting for you. Start planning by visiting tourismnorthernrockies.ca.

This article was sponsored by Tourism Northern Rockies.

Algoma Country, located in Northern Ontario, offers stunning natural landscapes, plenty of options for adventure, fascinating cultural experiences, and much more.

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Martin Lortz

tretching along the rugged shore of Lakes Superior and Huron, up north into a landscape of forest, lakes, and rock, Ontario's Algoma Country is truly an adventurer's playground. And getting there is as easy as a trip over the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge from the United States or following the Trans-Canada Highway 17 from anywhere in Canada.

Hike to the edge of the world's largest freshwater lake or explore along its shore and beyond by motorcycle, car, or RV. No need to rush — pitch a tent, park the RV along a wild beach, or take the view from the comfort of a cozy lodge.

Inland, access pristine lakes by road, train, or plane, where a fishing experience of a lifetime is guaranteed.

In the winter, traverse the landscape by snowshoe, ski, or snowmobile

along 3,000 kilometres of world-class groomed snowmobile trails.

Step into history and follow the path of Canada's renowned Group of Seven artists and experience the sites that inspired their creations. Retrace the steps of the voyageurs or learn the ways of the area's Indigenous Peoples. Along the way, discover museums, galleries, and the hospitality of the northern communities.

Whatever your definition of adventure is, Algoma has it all covered.

Experience northern hospitality at its best.

Learn more and start planning your trip to Algoma by visiting algomacountry.com.

This article was sponsored

by Algoma Country.