https://davecoulson.ca https://davecoulson.ca/Contact/1 https://davecoulson.ca/About/Bio/1 https://davecoulson.ca/About/tearsheets/1https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/CWM-SlowSteady_05-2018-01.jpgCanadain Wildlife Magazine may/june issue slow and steady https://davecoulson.ca/About/tearsheets/2https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/CWM-SlowSteady_05-2018-04.jpgCanadain Wildlife Magazine may/june issue slow and steady https://davecoulson.ca/About/tearsheets/3https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/TearSheet_NationalPost_2018-01-25-CWFCitSci.jpgNational post story CWF and the emergence of citizen scientists https://davecoulson.ca/About/tearsheets/4https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/TearSheet_NationalPost_2018-01-12-10000CitSci.jpgNational post website story on bioblitz https://davecoulson.ca/About/tearsheets/5https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/EarthWatch_OntarioNature.jpgOntario Nature Magazine Winter 2016, Earth Watch by David CoulsonOntario Nature Magazine, Winter 2016 https://davecoulson.ca/About/tearsheets/6https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/RAREBlog.jpgrare Charitable Research Reserve Blog, A Rare Experience, by David Coulsonrare Charitable Research Reserve https://davecoulson.ca/About/tearsheets/7https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/BWCfa17-01copy.jpgBird Studies Canada newsletter on bioblitz https://davecoulson.ca/About/tearsheets/8https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/BWCfa17-02copy.jpgBird Studies Canada newsletter on bioblitz https://davecoulson.ca/About/tearsheets/9https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/TheLens_Macrofeature.jpgCanadain Geographics top instagrammers of 2017 feature https://davecoulson.ca/About/tearsheets/10https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/CG_Instagram150-Website.jpgCG_Instagram150-Website https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Discovering-Nature/thumbs https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Discovering-Nature/1https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-BioBlitz-1.jpgA pair of hands pointing at a skipper butterfly on a flower during a BioBlitz A group of people spot a skipper at the 2016 Ontario BioBlitz in the Credit River Watershed. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Discovering-Nature/2 https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Discovering-Nature/3https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-BioBlitz-5.jpgA group of BioBlitz participants surround a canoe at Rough Park A group of aquatic researchers and biologists surround a canoe as they make plans for the day. Toronto Rouge Park, Canada BioBlitz 2017. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Discovering-Nature/4https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-BioBlitz-3.jpgA scientist sweeps through a field with a net looking for spiders © David Coulson conservation photojournalistDr. Gergin Blagoev sweeps through a grassy field looking to collect spider. rare Charitable Research Reserve, BioBlitz 2016. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Discovering-Nature/5https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-BioBlitz-4.jpgA researcher using an aspirator to suck insects out of her sweep net at BioBlitz Biologist Crystal Sobel uses an aspirator to suck out insects from her sweep net. Credit River Watershed, Ontario BioBlitz 2016. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Discovering-Nature/6https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-BioBlitz-6.jpgA boot walking across a mossy log in a swamp Carefully walking through a swamp in Norfolk County. A BioBlitz is a great way to discover nature, while getting your hands and feet a little dirty in the process. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Discovering-Nature/7https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-BioBlitz-7.jpgA child and her parents looking through binoculars in Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness AreaA family spots a bird in the distance in Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Area. Halifax, Canada BioBlitz 2017. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Discovering-Nature/8https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-BioBlitz-9.jpgA researcher with an electrofishing backpack walking through a forest Dr. Nick Mandrak and his team of fish biologists head out sample fish using an electrofisher backpack. Toronto Rouge Park, Canada BioBlitz 2017. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Discovering-Nature/9https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-BioBlitz-10.jpgA group of people trying to electrofish fish out of water at a BioBlitz in Cambridge, Ontario © David Coulson conservation photojournalistElectrofishing is a common technique used by fisheries biologists to sample fish to determine abundance, density, and species composition. The process does no permanent harm to fish, which return to their natural state in as little as two minutes after being caught. rare Charitable Research Reserve, BioBlitz 2017. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Discovering-Nature/10https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-BioBlitz-11.jpgThree people looking a fish in a fish tank at a BioBlitz in Cambridge OntarioA group of bioblitzers avidly look on at fish recently collected from their electrofishing experience. rare Charitable Research Reserve, BioBlitz 2017. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Discovering-Nature/11https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-BioBlitz-12.jpgWebsite2019_David_Coulson_Stories-BioBlitz-12Two aquatic biologists from the Ecology Action Centre remove fishing pots out of the Atlantic ocean to see if any crustaceans have been collected. Halifax, Canada BioBlitz 2017. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Discovering-Nature/12https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-BioBlitz-13.jpgBioBlitz participants gather to see spiders collected by a scientist A group of bioblitzers huddle around Dr. Gergin Blagoev to see if any spiders have been caught in his sweep net. rare Charitable Research Reserve, BioBlitz 2016. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Discovering-Nature/13https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-BioBlitz-14.jpgA group looking at a salamander in the hands of a BioBlitz guide © David Coulson conservation photographerA BioBlitz leader shows a group out on an amphibian walk a redback salamander in her hand. rare Charitable Research Reserve, BioBlitz 2016. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Discovering-Nature/14https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-BioBlitz-15.jpgA hand holding up a milk snake © David Coulson conservation photojournalistMilk snake, Lampropeltis triangulum. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Discovering-Nature/15https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-BioBlitz-16.jpgA small mirror looking at the underside of an orange mushroomThe underside of a mushroom is an important feature used for identifcation. A small mirror is often used to the underside. Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Area, Canada BioBlitz 2017. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Discovering-Nature/16https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-BioBlitz-17.jpgTwo girls looking a bee in a container at a BioBlitzTwo girls fascinated at a bee caught moments earlier. BioBlitzes are a great way to connect children to nature, allowing them to observe the natural world and encouraging them to spend time outdoors. Credit River Watershed, Ontario BioBlitz 2016. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Discovering-Nature/17https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-BioBlitz-18.jpgA researcher looking for clams in a tray at a BioBlitz A bioblitzer carefully sorts through, looking for aquatic invertebrates. Norfolk County, BioBlitz 2017. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Discovering-Nature/18https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-BioBlitz-19.jpgHand holding up a dragonfly with green eyesHolding up a dragonfly. Algonquin Park, BioBlitz 2017. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Discovering-Nature/19https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-BioBlitz-20.jpgA researcher holding out a flower wile using a book trying to identify itIdenfication is an important part of the BioBlitz process, the result producing a produces a snapshot of biodiversity for a particular area. Norfolk County, BioBlitz 2017. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Discovering-Nature/20https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-BioBlitz-23.jpgTwo people using a white sheet and light to look a moths at nightMothing is a way to see a variety of nocturnal insects that are attracted to light, and often uses an ultraviolet light source and a white sheet for bugs to land on. Norfolk County, BioBlitz 2017. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Discovering-Nature/21https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-BioBlitz-22.jpgA hand using tweezers under a microscope to identify an aquatic invertebrateThe careful process of identification. Credit River Watershed, Ontario BioBlitz 2016. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Discovering-Nature/22https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-BioBlitz-24.jpgWebsite2019_David_Coulson_Stories-BioBlitz-24Conservation efforts need to engage people, young and old, in meaningful ways to their natural areas â a BioBlitz is a great start. Toronto Rouge Park, Canada BioBlitz 2017. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/thumbs https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/1https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PoachingPoverty-1.jpgA dehorned southern white rhino paying down in the grass at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre in South AfricaIt is estimated that three rhinos are being killed a day in South Africa. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/2 https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/3https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PoachingPoverty-3.jpgAfrican savanna with an elephant in South AfricaAn elephant grazes in the distance, in the African savanna of Kruger National Park. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/4https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PoachingPoverty-4.jpgA baby southern white rhino dehorned on the other side of a wooden fence © David Coulson conservation photographerA recused rhino calf at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/5https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PoachingPoverty-5.jpgArial view of Nourish NPO ecovillage in South AfricaNourish's eco village houses gardens, a library, creche and eco campsites. It is a place where Nourish hopes will a place bring in sustainable food, and income, and be a point of learning for the children and adults from the local village. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/6https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PoachingPoverty-6.jpgAn African girl leaning on a wall inside a house in South AfricaMany of the children who Nourish work with are from the community of Sugagule and surrounding rural villages, where access to running water, electricity and proper sanitation is a daily struggle. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/7https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PoachingPoverty-7.jpgAn African boy laying on the ground with a pillow with a ray of light across boy’s faceDavid lays on the concrete floor of his home. His grandmother Grace works at Nourish, and helps support eleven other grandchildren. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/8https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PoachingPoverty-8.jpgAn African boy leaning against a wooden structure made from recycled bottles at Nourish NPOMany of the structures and buildings at Nourish's eco village are made from recyclables. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/9https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PoachingPoverty-9.jpgA granny worker at Nourish NPO opening the lid of a pot filled with porridgeGrace, one of the village granny's who work at Nourish, opens a pot filled with pap, a traditional porridge made from coarsely ground maize. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/10https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PoachingPoverty-10.jpgA granny looks through a moringa tree at Nourish eco village in South AfricaA granny looks on through a Moringa tree. The trees are planted, used and sold as health supplements and beauty products to local communities and lodges. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/11https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PoachingPoverty-11.jpgA worker at Nourish eco village holds a handful of mulchThrough their sustainable farming project, Nourish has established vegetable gardens in their village and has incorporated permaculture principles such as composting and mulching to inspire local community members in sustainable practices. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/12https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PoachingPoverty-12.jpgChildren hands padding the dirt while planting © David Coulson conservation photographerA group of children help plant vegetables in Nourish's garden. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/13https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PoachingPoverty-13.jpgChildren jumping on a trampoline at Nourish eco village in South AfricaChildren come from the local village of Sigugule for Nourish's aftercare program, where they can enjoy a safe place to learn and have fun. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/14https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PoachingPoverty-14.jpgArial view of children playing soccer at Nourish eco village in South AfricaChildren playing soccer at Nourish's eco village. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/15https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PoachingPoverty-15.jpgTwo children backpacks hanging against a colourful wooden wallIn 2016, Nourish started its own preschool (creche) in order to cater to vulnerable and marginalised families in the community who could not send their children to preschool. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/16https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PoachingPoverty-16.jpgA teacher writes on a chalkboard in South AfricaNourish's Green Kidz Initiative focuses on environmental education at a Primary School level. The hope and goal is that, through education, a âbuffer zoneâ can be created of conservation minded children that will protect and conserve. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/17https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PoachingPoverty-17.jpgA teacher points and children listen in a classroom in South AfricaNourish works with 11 primary schools throughout the rural villages around Acornhoek, focussing on bringing a knowledge of wildlife and the environment to children. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/18https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PoachingPoverty-18.jpgAn African school girl in uniform looks on with classmates behind her in South AfricaA young student attentively looks on during class. She is one of 1700 students that Nourish directly impacts every week through their classroom teaching. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/19https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PoachingPoverty-19.jpgThree African school boys in a van in South AfricaA group of excited boys on a field trip to a snake park and wildlife rehabilitation center. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/20https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PoachingPoverty-20.jpgAn african school boy holds a python next two classmates at Kinyonga Reptile Center in South AfricaField trips are meant to create immersion experiences and opportunities for children, and to break fears and traditional beliefs. For many of the children, the field trips are the first time seeing these animals. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/21https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PoachingPoverty-21.jpgA young African boy listening in a chair listening to a Protrack Anti-Poaching Unit instructor in South AfricaA young boy listens to a Protrack Anti-Poaching Unit instructor. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/22https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PoachingPoverty-22.jpgA sign reads "Impala & Nayla snare" with a Protrack Anti-Poaching Unit instructor pointing behind itPro-Track takes children through their education site, where they talk about the dangers and damage caused by poaching. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/23https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PoachingPoverty-23.jpgA Protrack Anti-Poaching Unit instructor helping a school girl over an obstacleA Protrack Anti-Poaching Unit instructor helping a school girl over an obstacle. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/24https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PoachingPoverty-24.jpgProtrack Anti-Poaching Unit ranger holding a rhino snare in hands © David Coulson conservation photojournalistProtrack Anti-Poaching Unit ranger holding a rhino snare in hands. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Beyond-A-Gun/25https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PoachingPoverty-25.jpgThe face of a dehorned southern white rhino at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre in South AfricaThrough food security, education and entrepreneurship projects, Nourish hopes to create resilient communities and a better future for rhino in South Africa. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/People-of-the-Forest/thumbs https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/People-of-the-Forest/1https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-1.jpgAn aerial view of a palm oil plantation in Northern Sumatra, Indonesia © David Coulson conservation photojournalistA palm oil plantation, sprawling like a suburb, in Northern Sumatra where endemic rainforests used to stand. In 2008 the Guinness Book of World Records declared that Indonesia was experiencing the fastest deforestation rate in the world, largely due to a burgeoning global demand for palm oil. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/People-of-the-Forest/2 https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/People-of-the-Forest/3https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-3.jpgWebsite2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-3A palm oil worker sorts through bunches of the harvested fruit in the heat of midday sun. Working in a palm oil plantation is a labor-intensive, year-round job where workers endure long days to try to meet extremely high targets. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/People-of-the-Forest/4https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-4.jpgA palm oil worker rides a motorbike through a palm oil plantation in Northern Sumatra, IndonesiaA palm oil worker drives through a palm oil plantation, on his way to collect the fruit. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/People-of-the-Forest/5https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-5.jpgA palm oil worker hooking palm oil next to a wheel barrow filled with palm oilWell over half of the worlds palm oil comes from these plantations, resulting in Indonesia's biggest and most lucrative export. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/People-of-the-Forest/6https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-6.jpgA boy collecting palm oil fruit on the ground in Northern Sumatra, IndonesiaA young boy collects palm oil fruit from the ground. The involvement of children in plantation work, along with the risk of child labour in palm oil supply chains, have been highlighted in the past several years. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/People-of-the-Forest/7https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-7.jpgBunches of palm oil fruit on the back of a truck © David Coulson conservation photographerA truck filled with bunches of harvested palm oil. Each tree can produce 10 tonnes of fresh fruit bunches per hectare, almost every two weeks. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/People-of-the-Forest/8https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-8.jpgA truck filled with palm oil drives through a dirt road in Northern Sumatra, IndonesiaIn Northern Sumatra, the dirt roads rattle with trucks filled with the fruit, on their way to be processed. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/People-of-the-Forest/9https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-9.jpgWebsite2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-9Fumes rise over palm oil trees in Northern Sumatra. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/People-of-the-Forest/10https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-10.jpgAerial view of a palm oil extraction mill in Northern Sumatra, Indonesia © David Coulson conservation photojournalistLarge-scale mills are needed to extract palm oil, the by-product of which is palm oil mill effluent (POME), which releases large amounts of greenhouse gases and contaminates local water sources when disposed. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/People-of-the-Forest/11https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-11.jpgWebsite2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-11The enigmatic and translucent views of the Sumatran rainforest. These forest jungles are known globally for their biological diversity and prized locally as the core source of life-sustaining clean water, and yet they are being devoured everyday by deforestation. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/People-of-the-Forest/12https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-12.jpgA baby orangutan hanging from branches in the rainforest in Sumatra IndonesiaA baby orangutan frolicks through the canopy of the rainforest in the the Gunung Leuser National Park. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/People-of-the-Forest/13https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-13.jpgA female orangutan holds on to a branch of a tree inside the Gunung Leuser National ParkDerived from Malay and Indonesian words, the name orangutan means âperson of the forestâ. These iconic species are the only great ape found outside of Africa, but are critically endangered, with less than 14,600 remaining in the wild. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/People-of-the-Forest/14https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-14.jpgOrangutan Information Centre communications coordinator stands next to an information boardNayla Azmi, communications officer for the Orangutan Information Centre (OIC), has dedicated the past 6 years to protecting orangutan in Northern Sumatra. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/People-of-the-Forest/15https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-15.jpgWebsite2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-15A mother orangutan and her child sit in a disbanded feeding station where, just years before, tourists would flock to the same spot to feed and watch her. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/People-of-the-Forest/16https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-16.jpgA restoration technician walks through a nursery filled with seedlings at the Orangutan Information CentreInside the nursery of a restoration program, the first of its kind in the region, pioneered by the Orangutan Information Centre (OIC). https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/People-of-the-Forest/17https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-17.jpgAerial view of palm oil plantation next to a restoration site in Northern Sumatra, IndonesiaThe OIC has reclaimed 100 hectares of illegal palm oil plantation within the Gunung Leuser National Park. The Cinta Raja Restoration Site began in April of 2017 and is in the early stages of replanting. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/People-of-the-Forest/18https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-18.jpgOrangutan Information Centre restoration technician checks on seedlings in a nurseryRestoration technician Pandy monitors seedlings in the Cinta Raja nursery. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/People-of-the-Forest/19https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-19.jpgSeedlings in a plastic containers at the Orangutan Information Centre Cinta Raja restoration site20 different species of native trees, mostly fruit trees, are cultivated in this nursery, sometimes up to six months, before they are ready to be planted. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/People-of-the-Forest/20https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-20.jpgOIC's restoration manager for the Cinta Raja site, stands beside thousands of seedlings in his nurseryRio Ardie, OIC's restoration manager for the Cinta Raja site, stands beside thousands of seedlings in his nursery. For Rio, these seedlings represent the hope of a forest and habitat renewed in Northern Sumatra. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/People-of-the-Forest/21https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-21.jpgHands pat the ground after planting a tree at the Orangutan Information Centre Cinta Raja restoration siteIn just under a year, OIC has planted over 88,000 trees. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/People-of-the-Forest/22https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-22.jpgA young forest at the Orangutan Information Centre Cinta Raja restoration siteA young forest takes root at the Cinta Raja restoration site. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/People-of-the-Forest/23https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-PalmOil-23.jpgA female orangutan with her child hanging on top inside the Gunung Leuser National ParkThe slow, steady gaze of an orangutan and her child. There is thought and feeling in the depths of those eyes, perhaps unease at a world rapidly changing around her. Perhaps hope, that there can be a future for her child. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Keeping-Track/thumbs https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Keeping-Track/1https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-LBPO-1.jpgA volunteer bird bander walks through a forest at Long Point Bird Observatory © David Coulson conservation photojournalistA volunteer bird bander makes her way into the forest at the Long Point Bird Observatory. From the time mist nets are first put up to when they are taken down, banders will walk through the forest every 20 minutes to check and remove birds from the nets. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Keeping-Track/2 https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Keeping-Track/3https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-LBPO-3.jpgA bird upside down caught in a bird banding mist nest at the Long Point Bird ObservatoryMist nets are a commonly used method for capturing birds for research. Made of fine nylon or polyester mesh, and suspended between two poles, the nets are virtually invisible. When a bird hits the net, it falls into a pocket, where it becomes tangled. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Keeping-Track/4https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-LBPO-4.jpgA bird bander removing a bird from a mist net at the Long Point Bird ObservatoryVolunteers undergo extensive training in bird banding and ornithological field techniques, such as safely removing tangled birds from mist nests. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Keeping-Track/5https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-LBPO-5.jpgLooking into the window of the research station at the Long Point Bird ObservatoryEstablished in 1960, the Long Point Bird Observatory (LBPO) is the oldest bird observatory in the Western Hemisphere. The research station banded its millionth bird in the spring of 2017. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Keeping-Track/6https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-LBPO-6.jpgTwo bird banders banding a bird at the Long Point Bird ObservatoryThrough wires filled with bird bracelets, i.e. bands, a bird bander carefully handles a bird recently removed from a mist net. For experienced banders, the process of recording a bird's information, to banding to release can take less than two minutes. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Keeping-Track/7https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-LBPO-7.jpgA bird bander uses banding pliers to place a band on a birds leg at the Long Point Bird Observatory research stationUsing special banding pliers, a uniquely numbered metal band is placed on the leg of a bird. This band will allow the tracking of this bird throughout its lifetime as well as tracking of its movements globally. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Keeping-Track/8https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-LBPO-8.jpgA volunteer bird bander carefully blows on a bird's furcular hollow to check its fat score at the Long Point Bird ObservatoryTo check a bird's fat score, an indicator of health, a volunteer bird bander softly blows on it's furcular hollow. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Keeping-Track/9https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-LBPO-9.jpgA volunteer bird bander checking a birds feathers and mottling cross-referencing with a book to estimate the birds ageA bird bander studies a red-winged black bird's molt and plumage patterns to try and determine its sex and age. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Keeping-Track/10https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-LBPO-10.jpgA bird upside down in an empty juice container on a scale to measure weight at the Long Point Bird ObservatoryUpside down in a tube, a bird's weight is recorded. This keeps the bird remaining still and causes little stress. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Keeping-Track/11https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-LBPO-11.jpgTwo volunteer bird banders reading a book under the lights of the Long Point Bird Observatory research station at nightEven after the sun comes down, bird banding and monitoring continues at the LBPO research station. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Keeping-Track/12https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-LBPO-12.jpgA bird bander with a head lamp untangling a Northern saw-whet owl caught in a mist net at nightA bander carefully untangles a Northern saw-whet owl caught in a mist net. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Keeping-Track/13https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-LBPO-13.jpgA hand holding up a Northern saw-whet owl in Long Point Bird Observatory research stationThe Northern saw-whet owl (Aegolius acadicus) is one of the smallest owl species in North America. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Keeping-Track/14https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-LBPO-14.jpgNorthern Saw-whet owl wing under ultra violet light © David Coulson conservation photographerUltra violet light is used to classify the age of a northern saw-whet owl by examining flight feathers and molt patterns. New feathers glow pink while the older feathers are washed out. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Keeping-Track/15https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-LBPO-15.jpgA bird bander reaching for banding pliers to place a band on a Northern saw-whet owl at the Long Point Bird ObservatoryA bander about to place a metal band on a Northern saw-whet owl. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Keeping-Track/16https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-LBPO-16.jpgA flock of ducks flying in the morning sky in Long Point, OntarioA flock of ducks flying in the morning sky in Long Point, Ontario. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Keeping-Track/17https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-LBPO-17.jpgLong Point Bird Observatory coordinator looking through binoculars on a viewing platformEvery morning, LPBO Program Coordinator Mark Conboy heads out to a viewing platform to observe and record birds in the area. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Keeping-Track/18https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-LBPO-18.jpgWebsite2019_David_Coulson_Stories-LBPO-18Banded and ready to be released, a handsome song sparrow shows off it's feathers. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Keeping-Track/19https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-LBPO-19.jpgA bird flying out of ashoot © David Coulson conservation photojournalistAnother bird banded. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Glimmer-of-Hope/thumbs https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Glimmer-of-Hope/1https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-TurtleRestoration-1.jpgResearch Assistant taking out containers of spiny softshell turtle eggs from an incubator at Upper Thames River Conservation AuthoritySpecies at Risk research assistant Kaela Orton removes containers of spiny softshell turtle eggs from an incubator, ready to be hatched. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Glimmer-of-Hope/2 https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Glimmer-of-Hope/3https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-TurtleRestoration-3.jpgA tub full of baby spiny softshell turtles recently hatched from their eggs at a lab at the UTRCAA tub of newly hatched spiny softshell turtle babies. Eggs are collected from the wild and hatched in a lab at the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) to ensure juveniles safely hatch, and are protected from predators, poachers and disturbance. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Glimmer-of-Hope/4https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-TurtleRestoration-4.jpgA research aassistant measures a baby spiny softshell turtle with a Vernier caliperBefore being released back into the Thames River, the UTRCA lab collects and database information of each newborn. Here, Vernier calipers are used to measure size. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Glimmer-of-Hope/5https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-TurtleRestoration-5.jpgA research assistant measures a baby spiny softshell turtle weight on a scaleA newborn is about the size of a dollar. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Glimmer-of-Hope/6https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-TurtleRestoration-6.jpgA bucket of hatched spiny softshell turtle eggs with two researchers in the backgroundHundreds of newborns are hatched every day in the UTRCA lab every day during the summer. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Glimmer-of-Hope/7https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-TurtleRestoration-7.jpgA hatched spiny softshell turtle baby in a plastic container in a lab at the UTRCAA newborn spiny softshell turtle peaks out of a container, waiting for the moments its released back into the river. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Glimmer-of-Hope/8https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-TurtleRestoration-8.jpgA research assistant puts moss and seaweeds into a plastic tub at Upper Thames River Conservation AuthorityA research assistant puts seaweed and freshwater plants into a plastic tub. Once hatched and recorded, newborns are placed in these tubs to be taken out into the Upper Thames River. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Glimmer-of-Hope/9https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-TurtleRestoration-9.jpgTwo baby spiny softshell turtles in a plastic tub with seaweedThe spiny softshell turtle is the only freshwater turtle to have a pliable, leathery shell and long, snorkel-like snout. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Glimmer-of-Hope/10https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-TurtleRestoration-10.jpgBiologist Scott Gillingwater holds a baby softshell turtle in the Upper Thames RiverBiologist Scott Gillingwater holds a baby softshell turtle, ready to be released in the Upper Thames River. For over 20 years, Scott has pioneered this restoration program and has finally started to see a rebound in the population. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Glimmer-of-Hope/11https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-TurtleRestoration-11.jpgA hand releases a baby spiny softshell turtle into a river bank © David Coulson conservation photographerIt is estimated that for every 100 turtles placed into the river, maybe one will survive; sometimes it can be as low as one in every 1,000. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Glimmer-of-Hope/12https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-TurtleRestoration-12.jpgFour baby softshell turtles poke their heads out of the sand in the Upper Thames RiverBurying themselves in mud, sand, and shallow water, spiny softshell's extend their head and neck so that the snout just breaks the surface in order to breathe in a snorkel-like manner. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Glimmer-of-Hope/13https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-TurtleRestoration-13.jpgResearch assistant sticking hands in river sand to check for turtles in the Upper Thames RiverSpecies at Risk research assistant Kaela Orton carefully massages through sand and mud to try and find adult softshell turtles hiding underneath. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Glimmer-of-Hope/14https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-TurtleRestoration-14.jpgFoot prints in the mossy mud with person walking away in the distance in the Upper Thames RiverScott Gillingwater walks across the freshwater wetlands of the Upper Thames River with turtle in hand. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Glimmer-of-Hope/15https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson_Stories-TurtleRestoration-15.jpgA spiny softshell turtle head poking up from the sand in the Upper Thames River © David Coulson conservation photojournalistDuring the summer of 2017, the ULTRCA restoration program released over 6,000 baby turtles back into the river. For every baby turtle that that the team watches disappear into the river banks, a glimmer of hope remains. https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Museum-Collections/thumbs https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Museum-Collections/1https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson1-MuseumCollections-1.jpgBlue Jay wings, Royal Ontario Museum specimens © David CoulsonBlue Jay wings, Cyanocitta cristata https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Museum-Collections/2https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson1-MuseumCollections-2.jpgCedar Waxwing wings, Royal Ontario Museum specimens © David CoulsonCedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Museum-Collections/3https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson1-MuseumCollections-3.jpgGrey Partridge wings, Royal Ontario Museum specimens © David CoulsonIndigo Bunting wings, Passerina cyanea https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Museum-Collections/4https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson1-MuseumCollections-4.jpgTwo Peacock Pansy butterflies, Royal Ontario Museum specimens © David CoulsonPeacock Pansy, Junonia almanac https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Museum-Collections/5https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson1-MuseumCollections-5.jpgTwo Crabs, Royal Ontario Museum specimens © David CoulsonCrab https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Museum-Collections/6https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson1-MuseumCollections-6.jpgTwo Sea Urchins, Royal Ontario Museum specimens © David CoulsonSea Urchin https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Museum-Collections/7https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson1-MuseumCollections-7.jpgChambered Nautilus shell cut in half, Royal Ontario Museum specimen © David CoulsonChambered Nautilus, Nautilus pompilius https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Museum-Collections/8https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson1-MuseumCollections-8.jpgNautilus shell, Royal Ontario Museum specimen © David CoulsonNautilus, Nautilidae https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Museum-Collections/9https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson1-MuseumCollections-9.jpgSand Dollar, Royal Ontario Museum specimen © David CoulsonSand Dollars, Echinodermata echinoidea https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Museum-Collections/10https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson1-MuseumCollections-10.jpgMagnificent Bird of Paradise tail, Royal Ontario Museum specimen © David CoulsonMagnificent Bird of Paradise, Diphyllode https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Museum-Collections/11https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson1-MuseumCollections-11.jpgKing Bird-of-paradise tail, Royal Ontario Museum specimen © David CoulsonKing Bird-of-paradise, Cicinnurus regius https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Museum-Collections/12https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson1-MuseumCollections-12.jpgBlack Billed Magpie tail Royal Ontario Museum specimen © David CoulsonBlack Billed Magpie, Pica hudsonia https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Museum-Collections/13https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson1-MuseumCollections-13.jpgSouthern crested caracara skeleton, Royal Ontario Museum specimen © David CoulsonSouthern crested caracara skeleton, Caracara plancus https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Museum-Collections/14https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson1-MuseumCollections-14.jpgBird Nest, Royal Ontario Museum specimen © David CoulsonNest https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Museum-Collections/15https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson1-MuseumCollections-15.jpgThree Prarie Falcon eggs, Royal Ontario Museum specimens © David CoulsonPrarie Falcon eggs, Falco mexicanus https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Museum-Collections/16https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson1-MuseumCollections-16.jpgBlack-billed Cuckoo babies, Coccyzus erythropthalmusThree Black-billed Cuckoo babies, Royal Ontario Museum specimens © David Coulson https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Museum-Collections/17https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson1-MuseumCollections-17.jpgThree Hawk Moths, Royal Ontario Museum specimens © David CoulsonHawk Moths, Sphingidae https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Museum-Collections/18https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson1-MuseumCollections-18.jpgWebsite2019_David_Coulson1-MuseumCollections-18Scarlet Ibis, Eudocimus ruber https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Museum-Collections/19https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson1-MuseumCollections-19.jpgBeetle, Royal Ontario Museum specimen © David CoulsonBeetle https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Museum-Collections/20https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson1-MuseumCollections-20.jpgSouthern African Catharsius dung beetle, Royal Ontario Museum specimen © David CoulsonSouthern African Catharsius, Catharsius pandion https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Museum-Collections/21https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson1-MuseumCollections-21.jpgAnts in a row, Royal Ontario Museum specimens © David CoulsonAnts https://davecoulson.ca/Stories/Museum-Collections/22https://davecoulson.ca/pf-media/Website2019_David_Coulson1-MuseumCollections-22.jpgButterfly Collection, Royal Ontario Museum specimens © David CoulsonButterfly Collection