ReefShip to the rescue

Like trees in a breeze, golden forests of kelp once swayed beneath the waves off Nova Scotia’s coast. These highly productive ecosystems were both home and nursery to fish, shellfish and other ocean creatures. At the same time, they absorbed wave energy, protecting the coastline from erosion. But kelp is in steep decline in many places around the globe, including in Canadian waters. A recent Dalhousie University survey of a 100-kilometre study area on Nova Scotia’s coast documented an astonishing 85 to 99 per cent loss of kelp forests, mostly due to warming waters, which kill off the corals that kelp use as anchor points.

A chunky new concrete called Oceanite could play an important role in the recovery of these underwater forests, serving as an anchor on which kelp and other organisms can re-establish. The material has already proven successful in tropical coral reef restoration. Now, IntelliReefs, a division of American company Reef Life Restoration, is testing Oceanite for northern kelp forests. In November 2021, a 138-square-metre arrangement of Oceanite modules, dubbed ReefShip, was sunk on the seafloor of Halifax Harbour.

Wolves! Shape-shifters in a Changing World unpacks the complex social lives of wolves through culture and science alongside stunning images by photographer Michelle Valberg

For thousands of years, humans have regarded wolves as one of the animal kingdom’s most elusive mammals. Famous for their intricate social lives, adaptability and spine-tingling howls, these large canines can be found across the northern hemisphere and have proven themselves as an ecological wonder. Feared by some but admired by many, wolves are fierce predators with remarkable intelligence that can thrive in many different environments as a result of their high resilience.

Wolves! Shape-shifters in a Changing World, is the new exhibition at the Canadian Museum of Nature that explores the evolution and adaptation of these fascinating animals through cultural stories, scientific research, specimens and more. Also included in the exhibition are large-scale photographs by renowned Canadian photographer Michelle Valberg that truly bring the exhibition to life.

The Loewen-Nair family from London, Ontario have won the $50,000 grand prize
By Samantha Pope

When Andrea Loewen-Nair received the news that her family won Canadian Geographic’s inaugural Live Net Zero challenge, she almost couldn’t believe it.

“They said our name and I was like, ‘What?’” Andrea says with a laugh. “The way the competition was going, it was really hard to tell who was going to win. It was obviously an incredibly exciting surprise.”

After completing six themed challenges over 10 weeks, the family of four from London, Ont. walked away with a $50,000 grand prize and an expanded knowledge of how to live more sustainably.

The Live Net Zero challenge, which ran from September until mid-December, followed five households from across Canada as they competed in bi-weekly challenges. As more than 25 per cent of Canada’s carbon emissions come from household energy use, the challenges encouraged the families to explore ways to live with the lowest possible carbon emissions.

the Bow River, travel along a historic pack trail and then ride up Allenby Pass, where jagged rock formations line the route.

And although you do climb to an elevation of 8,100 feet on this trip, the terrain is gentle for the entire way. And for all the rugged scenery that surrounds you on this trek, the adventure itself is far from ‘roughing it.’ Unwind in rustic luxury at the spacious Sundance Lodge and later at the cozy Halfway Lodge – both are quintessential mountain cabins boasting comfortable beds, a crackling fire and some of the most delicious backcountry cuisine you’ll ever try.
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Check out these other upcoming trips:

- High Arctic Explorer with Joseph Frey
- Classic Dolomites with Marlis Butcher
- Patagonia Birds & Wildlife with Kim Gray