September 2026. This past summer, ACER had the pleasure of mentoring Canada Summer Jobs students once again—six in total, ranging in age from just entering university to just having graduated. Over the eight-week term, the students worked in two teams to measure and record data on the growth and health
Each spring we look forward to finding the tell-tale signs of winter’s end: those first plants with their delicate green shoots pushing through the soil, tree buds emerging, and early blooms bursting with colour. The perennial white snowdrops and marsh marigolds often win the race among ground plants but, don’t
Ever wonder where the water in your tap comes from, or where rain goes once it hits the ground? Every drop of water belongs to a watershed. Across Canada, watersheds quietly support life, shape ecosystems, and sustain our communities. And…did you know? Canada supplies about 20% of the world’s freshwater,
Canada is home to some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, from boreal forests and grasslands to riparian zones and urban green spaces. But these ecosystems and all that live within, including humans, are increasingly under threat from a highly damaging force of nature: invasive plants. According to
What are wetlands?Wetlands are “lands that are saturated with water long enough to promote wetland or aquatic processes as indicated by poorly drained soils, hydrophytic vegetation and various kinds of biological activity which are adapted to a wet environment”, as defined by the Canadian National Wetlands Working Group. Wetlands encompass
Breathe in the Magic of Green! To keep breathing—we breathe around 16 times per minute—we depend on oxygen from TREES! This life-sustaining oxygen is produced by the incredible process of photosynthesis that is carried out in tree leaves, green plants, and aquatic plants. Photosynthesis, named from the Greek for “light”
Written by Patricia Pidoux, long-time ACER friend and supporter, and abstract artist! Is there any colour that sparks as many associations for us as the colour green? In spring, our happy anticipation of new green growth and floral abundance is rewarded with plants and flowers bursting from the ground with
What is urban biodiversity and why does it matter? Urban biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of living organisms, from genes to species to ecosystems, found within urban and peri-urban areas. As urbanization increases, more and more natural spaces, and the invaluable ecosystem services they provide; for example, trees
Introducing our new “In the Spotlight” series — first up: container gardening! Traditional garden not an option? Dig into container gardening! Besides being a great alternative for growing vegetables, herbs, flowers and other small plants when gardening space is limited or the ground isn’t garden-friendly, container gardens help expand green