Toronto Nature Now
Updated: Apr 14
Brought to you by Met Radio
Toronto Nature Now is a recurring nature radio segment that is produced in partnership with the Toronto Field Naturalists (TFN), and features guests who speak about various topics relevant to the environment in and around Toronto.
As for my role, I have only been the host of TNN for the past three episodes now, with previous episodes having been hosted by various Met Radio contributors, though in this short timeframe, I've been privileged enough to be a part of some illuminating conversations regarding the ongoing preservation/restoration efforts in Toronto's green spaces. The conservation experts I've spoken with are evidently very passionate about the work they do and have a lot of knowledge to share, so it makes me glad to know that I can help disseminate the this knowledge to the greater public.
That being said, the goal with a show like Toronto Nature Now is ultimately to educate and connect listeners across the GTA (and beyond) with the nature around them, hopefully helping them foster a greater appreciation for the rich biodiversity that reside within the delicate ecosystems that are their local parks, ravines, and waterfronts, as well as a sense of stewardship and shared responsibility.
Episode 198: The Grenadier Pond Phragmites Removal Project
In this episode, I had the privilege of interviewing Clara Greig and Chris Borowski, who are both with the City of Toronto’s Urban Forestry division. We discussed how Phragmites, an invasive perennial grass, has rapidly spread throughout Toronto, causing significant ecosystem degradation to Toronto’s natural heritage system, including Grenadier Pond in High Park. In response to this, the City of Toronto's Urban Forestry division has devised the Grenadier Pond Phragmites Removal Project, which is part of the greater work being done to restore Complex Urban Wetlands.
Guest Bios:
Clara Greig is a Natural Resource Specialist with over a decade of experience in forestry, environmental research using remote sensing and GIS, and ecosystem restoration. She has a Master of Science Degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo’s Joint Program, as well as a Certificate in Ecosystem Restoration from Niagara College. Clara joined the Natural Resource Management unit with the City of Toronto in 2021 and is now the Natural Resource Specialist for High Park and several other Environmentally Significant Areas within Toronto.
Chris Borowski is a Parks Program Officer with 8 years experience in environmental education and ecosystem restoration. Having graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a Certificate in Environmental Conservation, as well as completing a post graduate certificate in Ecosystem Restoration from Niagara College, Chris joined the Natural Resource Management unit with the City of Toronto in 2023 and is now the Parks Program Officer for High Park. As such he works to provide stewardship opportunities and environmental education to passionate community members at the park.
Episode 199: Prescribed Burns & Restoring Rare Black Oak Savannah
In this episode, I am once again joined by Clara Greig and Chris Borowski of the City of Toronto’s Urban Forestry division, and this time we discuss the restoration efforts surrounding Rare Black Oak Savannah of the Humber Plains, specifically through the process of traditional and prescribed burns. Savannahs are one of Canada’s most endangered ecosystems, with less than three percent of pre-European settlement savannah ecosystems remaining within Ontario.The rare fire-adapted Black Oak Savannah in particular has traditionally been stewarded by First Nations peoples, but for over 25 years now, the City of Toronto has been involved in a long-term management plan to restore and protect these rare ecosystems through the application of fire which evidently requires a lot of careful planning.
Guest Bios:
Clara Greig is a Natural Resource Specialist with over a decade of experience in forestry, environmental research using remote sensing and GIS, and ecosystem restoration. She has a Master of Science Degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo’s Joint Program, as well as a Certificate in Ecosystem Restoration from Niagara College. Clara joined the Natural Resource Management unit with the City of Toronto in 2021 and is now the Natural Resource Specialist for High Park and several other Environmentally Significant Areas within Toronto.
Chris Borowski is a Parks Program Officer with 8 years experience in environmental education and ecosystem restoration. Having graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a Certificate in Environmental Conservation, as well as completing a post graduate certificate in Ecosystem Restoration from Niagara College, Chris joined the Natural Resource Management unit with the City of Toronto in 2023 and is now the Parks Program Officer for High Park. As such he works to provide stewardship opportunities and environmental education to passionate community members at the park.
Episode 200: Responsible Pet Reptile Ownership in Toronto
In this episode, I speak with Natasha von Richter, a passionate wildlife educator and animal care provider, on the topic of proper practices when considering becoming a reptile owner—anything from doing extensive research beforehand, consulting reptile experts, adapting your living space to house a suitable enclosure, and of course being mindful of your reptile's specific needs so that it may thrive under your care.
Guest Bio: Natasha von Richter is a passionate wildlife educator and animal care provider with over a decade of experience in the zoological and veterinary field. She is currently an exhibit manager and reptile keeper over at Ripley’s Aquarium as well as the founder of RedsFaunaverse—a hybrid, wildlife educational platform and animal care initiative through which she creates outreach programs, facilitates hands-on animal encounters, and produces informative video content on the subject of ethical animal husbandry pertaining to reptiles, amphibians, and other exotic animal species. As an advocate for education surrounding reptiles & other exotics, Natasha’s ultimate goal is to inspire curiosity, compassion, and respect for wildlife as well as to help promote ongoing conservation efforts and celebrate diversity in both species and people!
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