Connecting Lake Simcoe's Community

Luney is an affectionate 10-year-old black cat with mesmerizing green eyes.

The Ontario SPCA in Stouffville has the sweetest senior dog who needs a little extra TLC in her forever home.

Meet Rose, who is available for adoption.

Hey there! Our names are Gabbie and Tumble. We are seven-year old Calico ladies.

UPDATE (Feb. 19, 2019) Lugnut has been adopted! Have a great life, sweet dog!

NATIONAL CUPCAKE DAY! Are you ready to "bake" a difference for animals in need?

Are you looking for a little critter to keep you company?! Look no further! The OSPCA Barrie Animal Centre has 3 guinea pigs available for adoption - Mocha, Coco and Latte!

By Katherine Haas, Guest Blogger: In the Town of Uxbridge, a proposal has been made for a by-law amendment to rezone approximately 5.3 hectares of forested land to permit the clear cutting of a heritage forest, and construction of a 52-unit medium density condominium townhouse development. The development proposal is an 'infill' application in a forested area in the community of Coral Creek/Avonlea.  
 
Uxbridge is “The Trail Capital of Canada,” a well-deserved designation recognizing our amazing natural trail systems, heritage bridges, and a strong partnership of local businesses and residents supporting the environment and giving it a voice and identity.   The forested area that is the subject of this proposed development is a small, but mature forest, in the heart of Uxbridge. For the residents of this town, it symbolizes what it means to live here with a strong community, in harmony with nature, and is proudly identified as “The Trail Capital of Canada.”
 
This forested area is not something that can quickly be dismissed or assumed to be easily re-created.  There are no studies that support the removal of the forest and, also, no studies that claim removing the forest will have no real impact on the environment or the wildlife habitat.  That is easy to understand.  This forest is an established wildlife habitat, untouched for decades, with tall, mature and thriving trees that are estimated to be perhaps 100 years old.  This small forest should not be disregarded, nor destroyed, in the name of urban growth and development, especially given readily available brownfield development lands, with an estimated capacity for 800 new homes, within a 5-minute walk of this forest, on the other side of the street.  The distinction of ‘infill vs brownfield’ is an important point as Provincial requirements specify that development of brownfield lands must take precedence over 'infill' applications.  Simple compliance with this provincial government requirement would result in the saving of this heritage forest.  
 
To be clear, there are 13 homes that share the property line with this heritage forest site, and the residents are clearly opposed to destruction of this forest.  However, more importantly, over 400 people, from throughout Uxbridge, and its surrounding communities, who do not live on that street, have signed a petition in support of this forest and have voiced their disapproval for this proposed development.  To the residents and others it defies understanding that a small, heritage forest in the heart of “The Trail Capital of Canada” would be destroyed to build 52 condominium townhouses when there are available brownfield lands immediately nearby for over 800 homes.

The week of March 7 is Research & Innovation Week at Lakehead University - Orillia.

Have you ever wondered how something works or whether or not what you’ve heard is actually true? This is the first in a series of posts that I will be sharing that have been written by two of our exceptional professors, and members of our Sustainability Sciences Department, Dr. Chris Murray (left) and Dr. Thamara Laredo.

I recently had the chance to visit the home of one of Lakehead University’s professors, Dr. Florin Pendea, who specializes in climate change and historical ecology and is a member of the departments of Sustainability Sciences and Geography.

Over the summer, Lakehead University gives students the opportunity to gain experience as research interns.

On Tuesday May 19, from 2-3:30pm at the Orillia Public Library, community leaders will gather to discuss the importance of a local food policy, and discuss the how and why such a food policy could be established.

Since moving to Orillia, Dr. Michael Stevenson, professor of History at Lakehead University, has been fascinated by the Champlain monument. 

Research on Display

Mark your calendars for March 9-13, 2015, as Lakehead University’s Orillia campus is hosting its annual Research & Innovation Week. All events are FREE and open to the public, and will take place in Simcoe Hall, at Lakehead’s 500 University Avenue campus.

What do you get when you cross a physicist, a food chemist, and a cup of coffee? As a university student, coffee is one of my main food groups, so I couldn’t wait to find out the answer to this question.

On Jan. 6, 2015, the Innisfil Historical Society unveiled the "Emily May" a replica of the paddlewheeler that plied Lake Simcoe in the late 1800s. The unveiling took place in the lobby of the Innisfil Town Hall where the boat will be permanently on display.

2014 was an exceptional year for research at Lakehead University’s Orillia campus. Here are some photos that help depict the many achievements that helped make 2014 one of the best years yet!

If you ask any Ontario resident what some of their favourite pastimes are, I guarantee many answers would involve being in and around water.

My name is Stephanie Edwards and I am a third year Honours Bachelor of Arts & Science/Anthropology student at Lakehead University’s Orillia campus. I will be writing this blog alongside some of Lakehead’s exceptional professors who are involved in many different kinds of research. Much of their research is focused on the development of sustainable communities.