In The News: Lakes & Rivers

2025-12-05

A national network for aquatic habitat protection and restoration is being created to help governments, local communities, Indigenous organizations, industry stakeholders and conservation organizations more effectively protect and restore healthy and resilient aquatic ecosystems.

2025-12-05

“CWF’s Ottawa team collected and incubated over 600 Blanding’s, Northern Map and Snapping turtle eggs in the Ottawa area this year,” said Rick Bates, CEO. “The release of these hatchings back to the areas where they were found is part of CWF’s comprehensive turtle conservation program, which is also working to help mitigate the impact of road mortality on at-risk turtles in Eastern and Central Ontario. In road surveys conducted the last two years in the Ottawa-area, over 1,000 dead turtles were found. These included over 100 Blanding’s Turtles, a threatened species in Ontario.”

2025-12-05

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is celebrating the passage of several updates to the Fisheries Act which improve the conservation of our oceans, lakes and rivers.

2025-12-05

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is pleased to announce the removal of multiple barriers to fish passage in B.C. CWF is working with diverse partners to restore access to critical spawning and rearing habitats for aquatic species at risk including Pacific salmon, Westslope Cutthroat Trout and Steelhead

2025-12-05

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) and partners in conservation will soon be gill-netting Chinook Salmon below the Whitehorse dam to assess fish ladder efficiency as part of a new pilot project.

2025-12-05

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) and Scales Nature Park found hundreds of dead turtles on roads around Muskoka and Ottawa this summer and are calling for more help to save these species at risk.

2025-12-05

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is calling Canadians to help chart a path forward for innovative actions to ensure abundant wildlife and habitat for future generations.

2025-12-05

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is pleased to release a new Hinterland Who’s Who (HWW) series of videos about Pacific Salmon as research on the migration patterns of these amazing fish continues.

2025-12-05

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) welcomes the federal government’s investment in ocean protection, freshwater conservation and aquatic invasive species management in the budget announced today. However, CWF continues to urge governments to address and prioritize conservation issues for the health, economic, social and spiritual well-being of Canadians.

2025-12-05

Nominations are now being accepted for the Canadian Conservation Achievement Awards, a national recognition program which is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2018. There are nine award categories to highlight the contributions of volunteers, professionals and projects dedicated to environmental stewardship

2025-12-05

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) expects to be applauding new federal investments to protect Canada's land, inland waters and oceans in tomorrow’s federal budget. Protecting key habitats are critical to the future of Canada’s terrestrial and marine wildlife and maintaining a strong connection to nature among Canadians.

2025-12-05

- Ottawa Riverkeeper, the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF), Ontario Rivers Alliance (ORA), and Ontario Nature joined forces today in calling for urgent and immediate action by the Ontario government to reverse the ongoing decline of the endangered American Eel, whose numbers have collapsed by a staggering 99% in Ontario since the 1980s. The call comes in the final days of the province’s public consultation on its draft Government Response Statement — in essence, it’s an action plan for recovering this endangered species. While applauding the publication of these long-delayed commitments, the groups and their supporters are urging Ontario to go further — and faster — than what it is proposing.

2025-12-05

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) predicts a brighter future for Canada’s oceans, lakes, and rivers and the species that inhabit them thanks to the proposed changes to the Fisheries Act.

2025-12-05

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is thanking Canadians for helping endangered species including turtles and pollinators as we approach International Day of Biodiversity May 23 and World Turtle Day May 24.

2025-12-05

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is hoping more Canadians put a wrap on single use plastics during Rivers to Oceans Week June 8-14 as part of its group of seven strategies for freshwater and marine conservation.

2025-12-05

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) applauds the federal government’s historic new investment of $1.3 billion to advance conservation in Canada and an additional $1 billion to support our environmental laws.

2025-12-05

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is pleased to announce the opening of nominations for the prestigious Canadian Conservation Achievement Awards.

2025-12-05

The Canadian Wildlife Federation is pleased to release two new videos about fish passage projects in British Columbia.

2025-12-05

New research by the Canadian Wildlife Federation, relying on documents obtained through a freedom of information request, reveals that Ontario and hydropower producers in the province have failed to meet legal responsibilities for conserving the American Eel.

2025-12-05

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is pleased to announce the full release of the Canadian Aquatic Barriers Database (CABD), the first publicly accessible inventory of its kind in Canada.

2025-12-05

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is calling on the federal government to decide whether to give protection to each aquatic species that has been scientifically assessed as at risk of extinction under the Species at Risk Act by June 2023 following the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development’s fall audit. Further, the federal government must focus resources on implementation and action to recover these species and report to Parliament and Canadians on progress.

2025-12-05

CWF supports development of government policy and legislation, industry action and consumer actions to reduce emissions to a level that meets Canada’s commitment to the global target to not exceed a 1.5 degree increase in the average temperature of the planet.

2025-12-05

Watersheds Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) are celebrating another successful year of their Love Your Lake program as it expanded to British Columbia in the summer of 2019.

2025-12-05

iNaturalist Canada (also known as iNaturalist.ca) has hit a major milestone – more than 1 million verifiable observations in Canada. These confirmed sightings span from Canada’s East Coast to the western edges of British Columbia, and from Southern Saskatchewan all the way up to the most northern reaches of the country.

2025-12-05

As temperatures warm outdoors, many anglers are restocking their tackle kits and preparing their rods and reels for another season of fishing.

2025-12-05

Canada’s Fisheries Act has now been re-jigged and cast to the Senate for final review before becoming law

2025-12-05

The turtle with the bright yellow throat is special for many reasons, one of which is that it is a globally endangered species.

2025-12-05

They have been in decline for decades, with some populations having declined by as much as 99 per cent. The American Eel’s life cycle is very unique.

2025-12-05

Recent research published in the journal Environmental Research has revealed alarming findings.

2025-12-05

In March 2025, a group of First Nations knowledge holders, known as Guardians, and allied conservation practitioners from across Canada traveled to Antigonish and Paqtnkek First Nation.

2025-12-05

Many birds fly south to avoid the long, cold Canadian winter. Turtles don’t have that option.

2025-12-05

It is no secret that plastic pollution is a massive threat to our wildlife.

2025-12-05

Slow and steady may help turtles win the race to find the perfect nesting site to breed, but humans have a vital role in ensuring they reach that finish line. With summer here, turtles are more mobile now as they search for partners and ideal grounds to lay their eggs.

2025-12-05

As Rivers to Oceans Week comes to a close, we are ending with your garden and a nasty pesticide that’s commonly used: Neonicotinoids.

2025-12-05

The American Eel’s numbers have been devastated here in Canada.

2025-12-05

Are we witnessing a mass extinction?

2025-12-05

Dominant year means more fish expected to return to spawning grounds

2025-12-05

An old concrete bridge was removed this week in a section of the Mill Creek in eastern P.E.I. The goal of the project is to make an easier passage for fish in the river, including Atlantic salmon.

2025-12-05

The Souris and Area Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation is spearheading the work, with support from the Canadian Wildlife Federation, the Atlantic Salmon Federation and the provincial government.

2025-12-05

Slowly and steadily, turtles can help win the race to find the perfect nesting site to breed, but humans play a crucial role in ensuring they reach the finish line.

2025-12-05

Turtles and roads are a dangerous combination.

2025-12-05

Even during the pandemic, the Friends of Petrie Island (FOPI) turtle conservation initiatives continued. Petrie Island — located in Orleans (East end of Ottawa) — was purchased in the late 1950s by the Grandmaitre family. In the 1960s, they used it as a cooperative sand extraction operation, which ended in 2002. The sand operation increased the amount of sand on the island which in turn increased the turtle nesting areas.

2025-12-05

Dams have limited lifetimes, large numbers of which have now been exceeded and need to be decommissioned responsibly. It can be tricky to find a balance between the social and economic benefits provided by these structures and the negative ecological impacts. However, with a strong basis in science and with the support of dedicated organizations, we are starting to see dams being removed across the country.

2025-12-05

Today, as I write this blog, I am looking out the window at the changing leaves on the trees, and it with a little sadness that I accept that the Monarchs are gone from this part of Ontario on their long journey to Mexico.

2025-12-05

If you have a shoreline property and are having issues with Canada Geese and the amount of droppings they leave on your lawn, it could be that you are unintentionally inviting them.

2025-12-05

A lot of pet stores sell hatchling turtles.

2025-12-05

Plastic is everywhere. Some of it is important – think medical equipment, but others are just wasteful.

2025-12-05

A four-year collaborative project led by the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) has explored what is happening to salmon migrating through Traditional Lands of the upper Yukon River.

2025-12-05

All freshwater turtles in Canada are species at risk under federal law. Eight turtles are also on Ontario’s list of species at risk. Spiny softshell, spotted, and wood turtles are endangered – facing imminent extinction or extirpation.

2025-12-05

As the world increasingly shifts towards renewable energy, hydropower remains a leading source of electricity. In 2022, hydropower produced more power than all other renewables combined.

2025-12-05

Turtles are in serious trouble. All eight species of freshwater turtles in Canada are listed as Species At-Risk. This makes turtles one of the most endangered groups of wildlife in Canada.

2025-12-05

They face so many threats along the way, like facing barriers such as dams and turbines that can kill adults as they return to sea. They’re having such a hard time that they’ve declined by more than 99 per cent in Ontario.

2025-12-05

Conservationists say salmon at ‘unprecedented’ lows and just keep getting hit

2025-12-05

As a four-year study on Chinook salmon in the Yukon wraps up, CWF contract researcher William Twardek says he is hoping it might raise questions about how fish are navigating the Whitehorse fish ladder.

2025-12-05

It’s #GivingTuesday. #GivingTuesday is a day when we think not of packages and bows, but of those in need this season.

2025-12-05

Many people enjoy spending a day fishing on the lake. It’s a great way to get outside and possibly bring home a fish for supper. Unfortunately, unwanted animals, such as turtles, sometimes take an interest in the hook at the end of the fishing line.

2025-12-05

The Canadian Wildlife Federation's David Seburn and other experts in amphibians and reptiles hope a new designation will raise awareness of these creatures in the Thousand Islands region.

2025-12-05

SILT has partnered with Watersheds Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Federation to pilot the highly successful Love Your Lake (LYL) program for the first time in British Columbia, at Vaseux Lake and along the shore of Okanagan Lake in the District of Summerland.

2025-12-05

Researchers have mapped out the true extent of habitat loss for salmon in the Lower Fraser River

2025-12-05

Canadian Wildlife Federation team rescues eggs from danger, animal and human

2025-12-05

Tammy MacKenzie drove thousands of kilometres this spring and summer, crisscrossing parts of Lanark County, in a trusty yellow 2004 Chevy Aveo to help local turtle populations. MacKenzie brought the nest protection project to life through a partnership with Lanark County, the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) and Tay Valley Township.

2025-12-05

Canadian Wildlife Federation Freshwater Turtle Specialist Dave Seburn spoke with CBC Ottawa Morning June 26, 2019 regarding the need to help Canada's at-risk freshwater turtles.

2025-12-05

Canadian Wildlife Federation team rescues eggs from danger, animal and human

2025-12-05

The United Nations warns that 1 million species worldwide are at risk of extinction

2025-12-05

Our little turtles are hatching quickly. Once all the eggs from a nest are hatched, the young will be released together in the area they were laid — only this time they will be a safe distance from the road!

2025-12-05

All eight of Canada’s freshwater turtles are listed as Species at Risk. Turtles have survived and thrived on earth for more than 200 million years - until now. Today, all eight of Canada’s freshwater turtles are listed as Species at Risk, and are one of the most endangered groups of animals in the country.

2025-12-05

The Canadian Wildlife Federation is pleased to announce the public launch of the Canadian Aquatic Barriers Database (CABD)!

2025-12-05

iNaturalist.ca was featured recently in the Ottawa Citizen as one of the best travel apps.

2025-12-05

Middletown is home to a Best Cleaners, where an unofficial part of staff member Jennifer Malon’s job has become protecting turtles from perhaps the most perilous stage of their migratory journey: two lanes of asphalt.

2025-12-05

The Canadian Wildlife Federation Turtle Team spends a lot of our time focusing on the Blanding’s Turtle.

2025-12-05

The Canadian Wildlife Federation is in its second year of identifying places of high turtle road mortality, or “hotspots.” By surveying roads and finding these areas, we are able to inform municipalities on where it is important to put up mitigation measures to prevent further turtle deaths on the road.

2025-12-05

Canada is home to eight native freshwater turtle species, all of which are at some level of risk.

2025-12-05

The Canadian Wildlife Federation is pleased to announce the public launch of the Canadian Aquatic Barriers Database (CABD)!

2025-12-05

This particular story began in 2018. We were in the middle of a survey for turtles killed on roads when we encountered a dead turtle that we couldn’t identify to species.

2025-12-05

2020 was a solid year for chum salmon returns in West Van’s creeks, according to the local stream stewardship group. Volunteers from the West Vancouver Streamkeepers Society counted 307 spawning chum salmon in 2020 – up from the record low 85 the year before. The group made their annual presentation to West Vancouver council on Monday night.

2025-12-05

This year, the Canadian Wildlife Federation Aquatic Science Team conducted research on American Eel in the Ottawa River. Our research has focused on the downstream migratory routes the eels take while passing the Chaudière Falls Generating Station in the heart of Ottawa.

2025-12-05

Dr. Scott Hinch predicts the disparity will become more prominent in coming years, calls upon the DFO to help ease their migration journey

2025-12-05

Have you ever seen a turtle digging on the side of the road and wondered what they were doing? That was likely a female turtle nesting.

2025-12-05

Turtles watch potential mates to scope out their competition, according to recent research by Carleton biology instructor Grégory Bulté.

2025-12-05

In June of this year, CWF’s turtle team spent many long evenings searching for turtles laying eggs. In particular we were looking for Snapping Turtles and Blanding’s Turtles in the process of laying their eggs. Our goal was to let the females lay their eggs and afterwards we would dig up and collect the eggs to incubate them back at CWF headquarters.

2025-12-05

This week, CWF’s CEO Rick Bates testified to the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans for better protection for fish habitat.

2025-12-05

CWF and Scales Nature Park Work to Reduce Turtle Deaths on Muskoka Roads

2025-12-05

You can conserve wetlands. That’s right. I said it. Just to be clear: You can conserve wetlands. Learn how.

2025-12-05

Late 2023 study suggests positive and negative environmental impacts on the chinooks’ productivity

2025-12-05

Residents aged 15 to 18 invited to play an active role in maintaining a healthy turtle population

2025-12-05

As we near the end of May and soon enter June, many freshwater turtles in Canada are on the lookout for mates and adequate nesting spots. But they are often crossing roads to do so, putting them in harm's way.

2025-12-05

Still, a historically low number of salmon are expected to return this year

2025-12-05

Here at the Canadian Wildlife Federation, we love all turtles, but the Blanding’s Turtle is special.

2025-12-05

Physical barriers can prevent fish from accessing habitat needed for all stages of their life cycle, a prevalent issue in B.C. that prompted the provincial government and conservation groups to step in to resolve.

2025-12-05

Canada needs to do more to protect all fish and their habitats. A diverse range of experts from across Canada met in Alberta this week to seek collaborative solutions for fish, wildlife and biodiversity conservation.

2025-12-05

It’s Friday, and you’re anxiously awaiting 5 o’clock. You’ve got the car packed and are ready to go! Sound like you? Well, you might have a case of cottage fever! But while we’re de-stressing up at the cottage, we’re unknowingly putting our lakes under stress

2025-12-05

It sometimes seems like half of the year in Canada is winter. That might not be quite true, but it can make people wonder if the Great White North is important for species like turtles that prefer warm summers to frozen winters. Here are five reasons why Canada is important to turtles and turtle conservation.

2025-12-05

While every action, individual and specific interest in wildlife is important to us, we are here to tell you that it can very easily be your name on the press release, awards trophy and banquet reception honouring today’s Conservation Heroes. Whether you submit your name now, or plan to enter for next year, here are a few things to keep in mind.

2025-12-05

The Southern Interior Land Trust has partnered with Watersheds Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Federation on the pilot project. This year, shorelines along Okanagan Lake within the District of Summerland and the entirety of Vaseux Lake are being examined.

2025-12-05

Turtle species across Ontario are under threat, and it’s up to us to save them

2025-12-05

Below are some suggestions on actions you can do, actions that can make a real difference –no matter your budget!

2025-12-05

Targets will be established to 'gradually' reduce plastic pollution over time within the private sector

2025-12-05

Canada is home to eight native species of freshwater turtles. Recently, however, another kind of turtle has been showing up in Canadian waters – the False Map Turtle, which is native to the United States.

2025-12-05

Pets become part of our families and the death of one can be heart-breaking. Is it possible, though, that some pets can outlive their welcome? A pet turtle is often purchased when the turtle is a small and adorable hatchling. That cute hatchling will grow, require a larger aquarium, and can live for many, many years. A Red-eared Slider, the common pet shop turtle, can live for more than 25 years in captivity. How do I know that? Well, let me tell you a story…

2025-12-05

Hundreds of at-risk baby turtles were incubated over the summer

2025-12-05

There are 700 species at risk of extinction. Which animals are on the brink and how can we save them?

2025-12-05

t’s a new school year! Now is the perfect time for you to incorporate a few fun celebrations and wild activities into your upcoming plans. There are so many things in Canada — and the world — to celebrate. Pick your favourites from these options and plan something special! If you do, let us know on your favourite social media channel.

2025-12-05

A grant from the Canadian Wildlife Federation and Watersheds Canada through their Love Your Lake program provided the supplies and rain garden plants. Plants for distribution came through the City of Greater Sudbury Lake Stewardship Grant Program.

2025-12-05

Let’s celebrate International Migratory Bird Day on May 12 by learning more about some of the coolest feathered travelers that are, or will be, arriving up North for a few months!

2025-12-05

Decline in species such as salmon harms entire ecosystems and livelihoods, say researchers

2025-12-05

It’s true! Every summer our waters are invaded by gentle giants from the south! Read more.

2025-12-05

n celebration of World River’s Day (September 24, 2024), the Canadian Wildlife Federation launched even more features to the Canadian Aquatic Barriers Database (CABD) web tool. These updates help us better understand the effects aquatic barriers are having on fish and fish habitat and to provide a new way for Canadians to help us improve the information included in the CABD.

2025-12-05

This year, the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is encouraging Canadians to join their “be on with nature challenge,” while practicing physical distancing during COVID-19.

2025-12-05

Your shoreline was meant to be naturally beautiful.

2025-12-05

A new dam database allows experts to target freshwater connectivity barriers. The connectivity of our freshwater ecosystems – rivers, streams, and lakes – has been a topic of increased public discussion recently, both in Canada and around the world. Large-scale human development has led to the fragmentation of Canada’s freshwater systems, with infrastructure acting as barriers to the natural flow and connectivity of streams and rivers.

2025-12-05

Pacific Salmon are a keystone animal. What exactly is a keystone species? A keystone species holds an ecosystem together. They are the glue that holds the health, function, and survival of other species in the ecosystem together, it maintains balance and supports biodiversity.

2025-12-05

You’re driving down a back-country road and suddenly there’s a turtle on the road. What do you do? Read on to learn how to move a turtle across the road.

2025-12-05

Happy Mother’s Day! As you celebrate, keep a lookout for turtles — she could be a mom, too!

2025-12-05

As the largest supporter-based conservation charity in Canada, we thought we’d report back to you on some of what we’ve accomplished during the 2018 summer conservation field work season. There were both successes and failures, but all of the work we do helps further our understanding of these species in order to best conserve Canada’s wildlife.

2025-12-05

School is over, summer is on... cue the Canadian wilderness! Camping, cottages, long hikes - and possibly, a life-changing encounter with a wild beast. What was your unexpected encounter with a wild animal?

2025-12-05

rotecting a turtle’s nest is an investment in the future. Each protected nest represents turtles that may reach adulthood 10 or even 20 years into the future. Each unprotected nest is a likely meal for a hungry raccoon. In many areas, raccoons and other nest predators can destroy 60 per cent or more of all turtle nests.

2025-12-05

Rescued from precarious nests, hatchlings now being returned to their natural environment

2025-12-05

Pacific salmon are some of the most iconic fish species in Canada.

2025-12-05

Look at a map of Nova Scotia and you’ll see a lot of lakes. There are more than 3,000 in the province and many - particularly in Halifax Regional Municipality - are magnets for property owners and nature lovers. Given the impact of human activity on these waterways, we should know more about them than we do, said Kelly Schnare of the Love Your Lake project.

2025-12-05

On February 5, 2018, the federal government tabled Bill C-68, An Act to Amend the Fisheries Act. This Bill is the product of roughly two years of study and public consultation by both the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans (FOPO) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) – study and consultation that was promised by the then-opposition Liberals during the last federal election campaign.

2025-12-05

'Sometimes it works fairly well, and at other times fish don't make it through,' says CWF's William Twardek

2025-12-05

In recent years, Yukon First Nations have severely restricted Chinook salmon harvesting due to low fish numbers. Now, a study has found only a third of tagged upper Yukon River Chinook salmon are making it past the fish ladder near Whitehorse to swim upstream and spawn.

2025-12-05

Make Rain Barrels a Fun Feature of Your Garden — Not an Ugly Tool to Hide!

2025-12-05

Many of Canada’s lakes, streams and rivers are part of ancient migratory routes that have been travelled by aquatic species for thousands of years.

2025-12-05

A six part film series that highlights the efforts by DER and our many partners to advance dam removal projects in the Commonwealth.

2025-12-05

Le printemps est de retour et, lorsque le monde retournera un peu plus à la normale, il se pourrait que vous vous trouviez davantage sur la route.

2025-12-05

A new project has just launched on P.E.I. focusing on removing barriers for salmon and other fish in Island streams. The work has started elsewhere in Canada, but beach access and beavers are two different challenges being faced on Prince Edward Island.

2025-12-05

hey now outnumber endangered B.C. turtle species 2.5 to 1: study

2025-12-05

Spring is here once again, and when things start to return to a sense of normalcy, you may find yourself driving more.

2025-12-05

Take a look below at some of Canada’s most popular scavengers and some that just may surprise you.

2025-12-05

Cross Creek — Nedut’en of the Witsuwit’en Lake Babine Nation — runs through the center of Pendleton Bay Provincial Park.

2025-12-05

New fish ladder a success, Streamkeepers say

2025-12-05

To get to the wetland on the other side. It is spring and turtles are active, often moving from one wetland to another. Or females are looking for a place to lay their eggs. These movements often mean turtles must cross roads to get where they want to go.

2025-12-05

There are more than 14,000 dams across the country, but not all provinces have legislation or record-keeping to monitor their maintenance or assess the risks they pose

2025-12-05

Organization helping remove fish barriers on Horsefly River watershed

2025-12-05

With fall comes sweater weather, beautifully coloured leaves, cooler temperatures, and for many — time to close the cottage for winter.

2025-12-05

Raging wildfires have left visible scars on much of Manitoba’s landscape this season, but the impacts of the fires can go much deeper, including right to the bottom of the lake.

2025-12-05

From rubber duckies to plastic straws, everything we throw away ends up somewhere.

2025-12-05

New culverts installed over creek near Babine Lake; help provided by government, LBN

2025-12-05

Campaign seeks to remove the Hanlon Creek weir which is affecting water quality for brook trout in the creek

2025-12-05

Canada geese are rarely given credit for their intelligence and ability to adapt to life in the city, according to a wildlife biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Nathan Clements says the growing number of Canada geese in Vancouver are an example of a species exploiting a niche in an urban environment.