nature & environment

_ (Via Ottawa Public Health) _ ** Ottawa ** – Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has received lab confirmation of the first human case of the West Nile Virus (WNV) in Ottawa for the 2017 WNV season. OPH reminds all Ottawa residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites and to remove standing water where WNV-carrying mosquitoes can breed. ...

One of the key attractions of Rideau Hall are the extensive grounds, where most public events are held. Gov. Gen. David Johnston prepares to read a children’s book by astronaut Chris Hadfield to a group of children on the grounds in June, 2017. ...

** Canada’s Biggest Garden Party ** It’s here and it’s fantastic! You can’t miss this. ** ** It’s the ** Dows Lake Garden Party ** , July 22 from 10:00 am to 10:30 pm. Delight yourself with a wonderful assortment of free events and activities for families, friends and visitors. ...

** Ottawa Garden Days ** ** June 9-18 2017 ** Garden Days, is Canada’s coast to coast to coast, ten-day celebration of our National Garden Day which is held annually on the Friday before Father’s Day. This ten-day program of activities and events is for gardening enthusiasts, families, schools and tourists alike. ...

** Special performance by Twin Flames! ** The music of award-winning indigenous artists, Chelsey June and Jaaji of Twin Flames, takes listeners on a musical journey across Canada and the Arctic. Join us for a special concert by Twin Flames, which is part of the Museum’s Focus on the Arctic season of programming as we celebrate Canada 150 and the soon-to-open Canada Goose Arctic Gallery. ...

Grab your friends and unleash your inner geek at this annual, highly popular event. And it’s FREE! ** Thursday, May 18 • 5:00pm-9:00pm ** ** Canadian Museum of Nature • 240 McLeod Street ** Get into some cool hands-on science: ...

[caption id=“attachment_67668” align=“aligncenter” width=“1000”] Flooding behind Parliament Hill. The Ottawa River’s water level has increased by 33 cm on the Ontario side since Friday. (Dan Roodman/Submitted)[/caption] Officials in Ottawa and Gatineau are preparing for flood recovery, as water levels continue to drop. ...

Hydro Ottawa has posted some incredible aerial footage of the Ottawa River raging over Chaudière Falls. Watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhS4cATu2h4 The name “Chaudière” roughly translates as “Cauldron”, and was named by early French explorers. For centuries before the explorers, the falls were known as “Akikodjiwan”, the name given to the falls by the Anishinaabe people. ...

[caption id=“attachment_66517” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”] Taking a dip in Andrew Haydon Park in October, 2016. (Devyn Barrie/OttawaStart.com)[/caption] Katherine Forster over at _ Wild Here _ has a list out of all the nature organizations in Ottawa with volunteering opportunities. Great timing, with Earth Day on Saturday, April 22. ...

_ (Via OPP) _ The Ontario government and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are reminding people to take extra care not to attract bears to their neighborhood. In some parts of the province, this year’s mild winter means black bears are coming out of hibernation early. ...