Nature Hikes: Near-Toronto Trails and Adventures - Softcover

Eagleson, Janet; Hasner, Rosemary

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1550463241 ISBN 13: 9781550463248

Publisher: Boston Mills Press, 2000

Synopsis

This beautifully illustrated book leads the way to 56,000 acres of Ontario's most compelling natural features, in five of the most accessible conservation authority preserves near Toronto: Credit Valley; Nottawasaga Valley; Toronto and Region; Lake Simcoe Region; and Central Lake Ontario. Includes detailed directions to each destination, facilities, activities, complete trail information, geological highlights, notes on flora and fauna, historical facts and more.

About this title

About the Author:

Janet Eagleson and Rosemary G. Hasner

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

Introduction

Close your eyes and imagine your favorite moment in the great outdoors. Perhaps it's that instant, just after the rain stops, when the pine forest smells so green. Maybe it's the thrill of seeing your first black and white warbler creeping around a branch, just an arm's length away. It could be the rush of adrenaline that surges through your body as you approach the edge of a sheer rock face. Or maybe, very simply, it's that moment of relief when you realize that the tiny hiker beside you actually enjoys nature more than that television show you hate so much.

Welcome to Nature Hikes: Near-Toronto Trails and Adventures, a book that celebrates the natural world and recognizes that nature touches each of us in very different ways. As you thumb through the pages that follow, you will be introduced to the many treasures of natural resources and wildlife habitats that you can discover close to your own home. These areas have been protected by your local Conservation Authority, which works diligently to preserve the quality and health of your regional environment.

USING THIS BOOK
For your convenience, this book is organized into geographic sections -- east, west, north, south and central. Each Conservation Area or park includes a summary of critical site information, an at-a-glance activity list, a map of the trails, and a first-person interpretive account of everything from flora and fauna to geology and history. The stories you will soon read are factually accurate but their tone is definitely casual -- if you're looking for a traditional field guide, this book is not for you. The stories reflect the many different experiences I stumbled upon (or fell over) during my outdoor adventures.

RESPECT FOR NATURE
As you make your way along the pathways described in Nature Hikes, you will be struck by both the majesty and the delicacy of our natural world. With this in mind, I hope that you continue to develop a respectful relationship with nature. Always keep your dogs on a leash. Please stay on the designated trails to avoid damage to sensitive vegetation. View wildlife quietly from a distance. Baby birds and animals may be adorable, but please do not approach nests or dens. The stress of your approach is likely to drive the adult bird or animal away, causing them to leave their eggs or their young vulnerable to predators or extreme weather. If you see a young bird or baby animal that seems either to have fallen from its nest or to have been abandoned, do not touch it. Most of these seemingly helpless creatures are actually being cared for by their parents and are more likely to survive in their parents' care than yours. It is also good to remember that while sunscreen and insect repellent are essential for humans, they leave oils on your fingers that can cause considerable harm to wildflowers, insects, frogs, salamanders and just about every species of flora and fauna imaginable. Please look without touching, take out everything you bring into an area and leave only with photographs.

Nature provides different meanings and different inspirations to everyone. The beautiful parks in Nature Hikes: Near-Toronto Trails and Adventures have captured my imagination and my soul... I hope they capture yours, too.

About this edition

• Publisher: Boston Mills Press
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 1550463241
• ISBN 13: 9781550463248
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 168