Friends of Elk Island Society

06/19/2026

FEIS will have a booth at the Astotin Beach area on Canada Day, Wednesday July 1, 2025 from 12-4 pm. Stop by and say hello!

06/16/2026

06/13/2026

June 22-28, 2026 is National Pollinator Week! This annual event is actually celebrated internationally in support and protection of pollinator health. Native plants in Elk Island National Park attract pollinators of all kinds, including bees, butterflies, and bats. Stop by our FEIS display of native plants at the Elk Island visitor centre and see if you can catch a glimpse of a pollinator hard at work. Envision a future where pollinators not only survive but thrive. (Photo from pollinator.org)

06/13/2026

Mosquitos - are they friends of foes? Most people would have an easy answer to that question for these annoying, potentially disease-carrying insects. But, for the bats, birds, frogs, and dragonflies in Elk Island National Park, they are an important source of food. National Mosquito Control Awareness Week is traditionally observed the last full week of June.

06/08/2026

Rivers to Oceans week 2026 runs June 8 - 14. It highlights the connection between inland watersheds, local waterways, and the ocean. Enjoy some local waterways at Elk Island National Park.

Astotin Lake connects to Astotin Creek, which acts as the primary drainage stream and ecological corridor originating from the lake and its surrounding wetlands in Elk Island National Park.

06/08/2026

The UN World Environment Day on June 5, 2026 highlighted the Earth’s native ecosystems and the necessity of nature-based solutions for climate resilience. The theme this year is “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.”

06/08/2026

Clean Air Day in Canada is the first Wednesday in June and is part of Canadian Environment Week. This annual event raised awareness about the importance of clean air and encouraged actions that reduce air pollution. It also highlighted the connection between plastic pollution and air quality.

06/01/2026

Make a Difference Week runs from May 30 - June 7, 2026. The Society for Ecological Restoration supports local volunteer restoration events around the world to positively impact local communities in hands-on restoration projects.

05/23/2026

The International Day for Biodiversity (IDB) is Friday, May 22, 2026. IDB is a United Nations observance that celebrates the variety of life on Earth and raises awareness about the importance of protecting it. When we document species on iNaturalist, we’re contributing real data that can help countries and communities make progress toward those goals.

05/15/2026

Members of the Board assisted again this year with supporting EINP’s amphibian survey. Volunteers went out one night a week over three weeks (end of April to mid May), counting boreal chorus and wood frogs. Members started the count half an hour after sunset. This was done by counting the male frogs’ distinct sounds to attract a mate. The scale to measure the numbers is 0, 1-5, 6-10 and over ten. Air and water temperatures, along with the wind speed were also recorded. The Park is a different world after sunset.