An expanded guide to the best places in Ontario to connect with the natural world.

The best-selling 100 Nature Hot Spots in Ontario now features 10 additional destinations. This reader-friendly guide explores the remarkable splendor and diversity of the province, from its soaring clifftops, subterranean caves and thundering cataracts to the province's tallest white pine, the oldest rocks on Earth and the warbler capital of North America.

The guide is organized by region, and each destination includes a descriptive profile illustrated with color photographs and at-a-glance information about special features and contact details. Regional maps showcase locations. Some of these hot spots are surprisingly close to towns and cities, some are hidden urban treasures, and many are ideal for a day trip.

All new in this edition -- a how-to guide with tips on finding and experiencing nature in your own backyard.

The ten new hot spots include:

Central Ontario South -- The York Region Forest, 2,300 hectares of protected land with 120 kilometers of nature-rich trails.

Eastern Ontario -- Mattawa River Provincial Park, with gorgeous waterfalls, granite cliffs, forests and wetlands; Meisel Woods Conservation Area, offering five kilometers of trails that provide stunning views of Crow Lake and a forest rich with animals and plants; Perth Wildlife Reserve Conservation Area, a 275-hectare reserve, home to diverse plant and wildlife species; and Thousand Islands National Park, a dramatic granite landscape largely accessible only by boat.

Other destinations include:

Southwestern Ontario -- Rock Glen Conservation's fossil beds, trails and Carolinian forest; Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area's northern flying squirrels, Butler's garter snakes, and spotted turtles; Pelee Island's breeding marsh birds and world-renowned annual songbird migration.

Niagara Region -- The dramatic lower and upper waterfalls at Ball's Fall's Conservation Area; passerine bird watching in the Woodend Conservation Area; the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve's unique microclimate and plants.

Central Ontario South -- The Scarborough Bluffs' rock formations; the Minesing Wetlands' network of sensitive flora and fauna; Toronto's unusual lakeside reserve, Tommy Thompson park.

Central Ontario North -- The towering cedars and cliffs of Bruce Peninsula Park; Flowerpot Island's orchids; Huckleberry Rock, some of the oldest rock in the world; the peaceful idyll that is Silent Lake Provincial Park; three unforgettable trails in Algonquin Park.

Eastern Ontario -- Wintertime sightings of snowy owls, hawks and coyotes on Amherst Island; geological eras collide in Frontenac Provincial Park; spectacular views of lakes and forests from Foley Mountain and Rock Dunder.

Northwestern Ontario -- The iconic Sleeping Giant in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park; windswept Pukaskwa National Park; Ouimet Canyon with rare arctic plants growing at its base; spectacular 130 feet (40 m) plummet of Kakabeka Falls.

These family-friendly destinations will appeal to naturalists, budding botanists and biologists, photographers, hikers, campers and paddlers.

 

Chris Earley is a zoologist and environmental biologist He is the Interpretive Biologist and Education Coordinator at The Arboretum, University of Guelph His previous books include Falcons in the City, Warblers of the Great Lakes Region and Eastern North America, and Birds A to Z He lives in Guelph, Ontario

Chris Earley's profile page

by Tracy C. Read

Tracy Read's profile page

[Review of previous edition:] Nature Book of the Year

London Free Press

[Review of previous edition:] Recommended.

American Reference Books Annual

An update of Chris Earley and Tracy Read's excellent bestselling guide to natural hot spots across the province. 110 Nature Hot Spots in Ontario includes new locations and updated details for naturalists, photographers, families, and hikers. The photo-rich entries are arranged geographically, so locations close to home or further afield are easy to find.

London Free Press

Required reading. This reader-friendly guide explores the remarkable splendour and diversity of the province, from its soaring clifftops, subterranean caves and thundering cataracts to the province's tallest white pine, the oldest rocks on Earth and the warbler capital of North America. The guide is organized by region, and each destination includes a descriptive profile illustrated with color photographs and at-a-glance information about special features and contact details, while regional maps showcase locations.

Canadian Geographic Newsletter

Mother Nature has blessed Canada with lots of forests and majestic views... [The authors] focus on describing the natural scenery and regional geographical features... The authors also outlined reasons why travellers should visit each location, making the book engaging and practical.

Culture Magazine

[Review of previous edition:] Maps out the province's best natural sites with details about why they are must-see attractions.

Guelph Mercury Tribune

This expanded and updated edition is definitely a book that will be opened often, and it should be pointed out as well that just because it is Summer, does not mean you cannot use the information inside for the other seasons of the year... You have 110 reasons to travel in Ontario, and one very big reason why you should own this book: because it is information packed!

Shelf Life Magazine

[Review of previous edition:] A beautiful and useful new volume... Provides inspiring descriptions of our province's best parks natural places and conservation areas... The book is a real pleasure to page through.

London Free Press

For anyone who aspires to engage in bird watching across our entire province, 110 Nature Hot Spots in Ontario is a beautiful and valuable resource book... As enjoyable as it is to look up locations that I know, the true value of this book is learning more about unfamiliar locations.

Paul Nicholson

The nature guide provides interesting text, beautiful photographs, "What Makes This Hot Spot Hot?" and icons for available activities for each nature area in the book... Most of us need to get into nature more and receive the health benefits that wilderness provides and this guide provides lots of good suggestions. This is a good resource to help you plan your next nature outing or to take with you when you go on vacation!

Simcoe.com

Featuring Ontario's best parks, conservation areas and wild places, this guide will inspire adventures near and far... Colour photos, at-a-glance information, and regional maps showcase a vast array of family-friendly destinations. Some are urban gems that can be found close to towns and cities, making them ideal day trips any time of year.

City Parent

[Review of previous edition:] You will have fun perusing the photo-filled guide while deciding on your next wilderness adventure... Whether you want to go somewhere local to spend a few hours or travel to a more distant part of the province for a vacation this guide makes it easy as it is divided into six areas of the province: Southwestern Ontario, Central Ontario South, Niagara Region, Eastern Ontario, Central Ontario North, Northern Ontario. For each of the areas there is information about activities you can do there, if it is open year round or not and what makes the nature spot special. Helping you decide where you want to go are numerous, beautiful photographs that are throughout the book (there are more than 250 photos in the 224-page book). Ontario is blessed with an incredible number of wilderness areas and this book highlights 100 of them. 100 Nature Hot Spots in Ontario would make a thoughtful gift for those who enjoy getting out into the natural world.

DurhamRegion.com