Split Lip is one of the Bow Valley’s most famous grizzly bears, right up there with the Boss. Our wildlife lucky streak held strong, as we were lucky enough to have a private moment with this big bruin as he was gearing up for the winter ahead. What an impressive bear!

Yesterday on CBC’s Power & Politics, Shachi Kurl - one of our featured voices on Nature Labs - highlighted that education is the single most important tool to help us navigate this moment we're facing. At Nature Labs, we’re answering that call. naturelabs.ca/the-full-can...

Elk are amazing at the best of times and throw in the prehistoric sounds of the rut, and you get a killer time in nature. But how about adding water to the scene? Maybe magic light? Maybe a reflection? How about some rut behaviour too? Are we getting greedy? 🤷🏼‍♀️

We were thrilled to encounter multiple grizzly bear families in one of our favourite haunts. Honestly, it’s always a good month when you can say you’ve watched a grizzly and its cubs wandering through the wild!

It had been a long while since we spent some quality time with the pika...probably since we tied the bow on the wildlife vignette we created about these tiny alpine water-purifying experts. Watching them bustle about is a perfect reminder of how even the tiniest creatures can leave a big impression.

Who’s up for some mustelid highlights from my peers in 2025? Simon at @naturelabs.bsky.social and MacNeil at Yellowstone Insight had fun with a marten and long-tailed weasel in Canada and Yellowstone. (Photos ©️Simon Jackson and MacNeil Lyons, respectively. Shared with permission.)

We were absolutely overjoyed to discover several fox dens this spring - including one family we have been following/documenting since 2010. Watching these tiny foxes play, tumble, and quietly practice their survival skills never gets old.

Welcome back to class, students and teachers! Over the break, the news has been…well, very newsy. So, we worked double time to get Chapters Four and Five of our Canada at a Crossroads series out to you because it’s feeling especially timely right now. Head to our website now to view them!

We were in awe to witness a quiet, joyful moment with a saw-whet owl fledgling. We were able to watch two fledglings - our first saw-whet young - from a respectful distance as they slept, stretched, scratched, and went about their day.

For at least 30 minutes, we watched this wolf toss sticks and bounce around. Just like any dog, it wanted to play. A fun reminder that even in wolf society, teenagers don’t listen - and that the line between our worlds is thinner (and funnier) than we often assume.

Last year marks two notable anniversaries: our ten year wedding anniversary and, proceeded by a week, our first photographic encounter with a marten. And guess who decided to help us mark these anniversaries with us? You guessed it, a marten.

On a very crispy winter morning, we discovered an otter family popping in and out of holes in a frozen lake, pausing to chew on fresh sashimi. Watching them surface, snack, and disappear again was pure joy.

Top encounters of 2025: January naturelabs.ca/top-images-o...

Enjoy our top images and video captures by month, and a big HAPPY NEW YEAR to you! naturelabs.ca/top-images-o...

Happy holidays! - Simon & Jill

Lynx survival depends on shared rules shaped by the ecosystem, such as territory boundaries and prey availability, rather than top-down control. Like a healthy democracy, stability comes not from force or hierarchy, but from cooperation, limits, and respect for common resources.

Monte was 1 of the 1st Members of Parliament elected under the banner of the Reform Party – a political movement that helped give voice to feelings of western alienation. Monte is one of the featured voices in our new series Canada at a Crossroads. Check it out on our homepage!

Big case of the Monday’s going on here.

Happy #FoxyFriday! Get outside and play in the snow this weekend.

Why does it feel like winter has already been here for a year? Or is that just us?

Explaining the Notwithstanding Clause with the person who wrote the book on it - Peter Biro: naturelabs.ca/the-notwiths...

Chapter 3 of Canada at a Crossroads is at the top of our homepage. Check it out, & dive deeper with lessons and activities for high school students. This story discusses how historical issues of land, identity, and sovereignty are coming full circle in the face of US threats and global disruption.

The cross fox: part-melanistic colour phase of the red fox that produces a silvery-black cross on their normally red fur. They aren’t that rare - the further north you go, the more common it becomes. More common than the rare full-melanistic colour phase, commonly referred to as a silver fox.

Coyotes might not hold elections or give speeches, but their social lives actually have a surprisingly democratic vibe. Coyote families make many decisions together, like when to move, where to hunt, and how to respond to threats. They rely on cooperation, communication, and shared responsibility.

Have you watched our newly released chapter from our series Canada at a Crossroads yet? Check it out right on our homepage! We discuss how historical issues of land, identity, and sovereignty are coming full circle in the face of US threats and global disruption.

Today is all about supporting the projects and communities that help make the world a little better, and we’d love for you to consider supporting Nature Labs. Nature Labs is free for educators. Your support helps us keep it that way. naturelabs.ca/make-a-diffe...

Feelin a bit snowy today. #snowyowl

Happy #FoxyFriday! Have a wonderful weekend and be sure to check out the latest chapter in our new series ‘Canada at a Crossroads’. You can find it right at the top on our homepage!

New Lesson Alert: Canada at a Crossroads: Chapter 3... ....released early in light of today's announcement between Alberta and the Federal Government You can find this story right on our homepage (naturelabs.ca)!

And just like that…winter showed up in Canada uninvited and WAYYYYY too enthusiastic.

If you’re just checking in on us- indeed, this is still our vibe this weekend.

Weekend vibes. If anyone needs us, we’ll be channeling this energy until Monday.

Explaining the Notwithstanding Clause with the person who wrote the book on it - Peter Biro: youtu.be/Yu-YVjYB6E4?...

Have YOU watched the second chapter of Canada at a Crossroads yet? If you're a teacher, we've also created lessons for your Science, Civics, English, Art, and Careers class!

Happy #FoxyFriday! Enjoy a nice meal with your friends and family this weekend.

NEW Lesson: Understanding COP30 and Canada’s Role in Global Climate Action naturelabs.ca/understandin...

Red foxes can hear small prey from over 30 metres away, even under a layer of snow. They’ll leap high into the air and dive nose-first into the snow, pinpointing exactly where their prey is hiding, and is commonly called ‘mousing’. Happy #FoxyFriday! Have a great weekend.

Canada must navigate the difficult balance between expanding its economy and protecting the environment. Chapter Two of Canada at a Crossroads is out! Join us on Nature Labs for the full lesson for FREE!

You’ve probably heard: The government just released its new budget – the first in a while – and it’s the talk of the nation. But what exactly is a budget and why does it matter? Let’s break it down!: naturelabs.ca/the-budget/

The territorial elections in Nunavut and Yukon mark more than just leadership changes, they’re a pivotal moment in Canada’s evolving stewardship of the Arctic. View our analysis of both elections - head to NatureLabs.ca for the full details!

Happy Halloween 🎃 🐦‍⬛ 🦉 🕷️

Sign up for NatureLabs.ca to get the full lesson plan for high school Socials, Science, English, Art and Careers!

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High school teachers - have you started this lesson yet? ‘Canada at a Crossroads’. This five-part story will be featured across each of the first five chapters of Nature Labs. Sign up now at NatureLabs.ca to get the entire lesson FOR FREE!

Happy #FoxyFriday! Get outside and explore this weekend.

Find all the updates and analysis from last nights Newfoundland & Labrador election: naturelabs.ca/newfoundland...

Dr. Kate Moran is a Canadian ocean engineer and climate science leader known for her deep-sea research and big-picture thinking. Kate is featured in a five-part story that will be featured across each of the first five chapters of NatureLabs.ca!

We’re covering the Newfoundland & Labrador election tonight and what it means for Canadians! Join us on TikTok or our blog later today! NatureLabs.ca/blog

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