Drew Monkman

Peterborough

Contributing Columnist at The Peterborough Examiner

Naturalist & writer - Co-author of BIG BOOK OF NATURE ACTIVITIES Interests include climate crisis, evolution, phenology, skepticism & connecting kids to nature!

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Articles

Nature’s calendar: A summer almanac

1 week ago | thepeterboroughexaminer.com | Drew Monkman

The celestial wheel has once again brought us to the summer solstice and a new, exciting season. The American nature writer Hal Borland spoke of late June as “long, sweet days we bought and paid for with long, cold nights and short bitter days at the dark turn of the year.” Thinking back to this year’s snowy, cold winter, we have every right to relish and embrace summer’s arrival.
10 key reasons to say ‘No!’ to Bill 5

1 month ago | thepeterboroughexaminer.com | Drew Monkman

The housing crisis is real and urgent — but so too are the twin emergencies of biodiversity loss and climate change. Is it truly responsible — or even ethical — to tackle one crisis by worsening the others? In the eyes of Premier Doug Ford, the answer is clearly yes. As part of a broader push to accelerate housing development in the province, the Ontario government has introduced Bill 5, also known as the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025.
10 key reasons to say ‘No!’ to Bill 5

1 month ago | thespec.com | Drew Monkman

The housing crisis is real and urgent — but so too are the twin emergencies of biodiversity loss and climate change. Is it truly responsible — or even ethical — to tackle one crisis by worsening the others? In the eyes of Premier Doug Ford, the answer is clearly yes. As part of a broader push to accelerate housing development in the province, the Ontario government has introduced Bill 5, also known as the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025.
Seeking out the iconic Andean cock-of-the-rock

1 month ago | thepeterboroughexaminer.com | Drew Monkman

This week, I’d like to continue with more highlights of the unforgettable trip I made to Colombia last November. Colombia has emerged as a premier destination not only for birdwatchers but for anyone who appreciates nature. The incredible biodiversity is also remarkably accessible, with so much to discover right at the eco-lodges themselves.
A birder’s dream

1 month ago | thepeterboroughexaminer.com | Drew Monkman

“Suba, suba, suba. Arriba, arriba, arriba. Pancho, Pancho, Pancho.” Kneeling low to the forest floor, eyes sharp and focused, Carlos Mario was coaxing in one of Colombia’s most sought-after birds: the antpitta. Likened to a tennis ball on stilts, this elusive forest-floor dweller was in no rush to show itself. For almost ten minutes, the eight of us stood silently in the cold mountain air of Rio Blanco, seeing our breath and scanning the undergrowth for movement.
Taking painful stock of where we’re at

2 months ago | thepeterboroughexaminer.com | Drew Monkman

When I was still teaching, Earth Day was a major event on our school calendar. It wasn’t just a day — it was a celebration and a time of action. We organized litter cleanups, ran fundraisers for environmental causes, and always capped it off with a big assembly. One of the assembly traditions I remember most fondly was singing a song called “Signs of Hope.” I can still hear the chorus in my mind:“Signs of hope are coming. They’re beginning to appear. Signs of hope are everywhere.
Lessons from the ice storm

2 months ago | thepeterboroughexaminer.com | Drew Monkman

The recent ice storm that swept through central Ontario has left a trail of devastation in its wake. While power lines, homes and vehicles suffered significant damage, the most severe and widespread impact has been to the region’s trees. Tragically, one individual also lost his life near Peterborough due to a falling tree. The amount of tree damage appears to have surpassed that of the derecho storm of May 2022.
Lessons from the ice storm

2 months ago | mykawartha.com | Drew Monkman

The recent ice storm that swept through central Ontario has left a trail of devastation in its wake. While power lines, homes and vehicles suffered significant damage, the most severe and widespread impact has been to the region’s trees. Tragically, one individual also lost his life near Peterborough due to a falling tree. The amount of tree damage appears to have surpassed that of the derecho storm of May 2022.
How are Canada’s birds doing?

Mar 28, 2025 | thepeterboroughexaminer.com | Drew Monkman

Lost in the political turmoil consuming all of our attention since the re-election of Donald Trump is the worrisome state of biodiversity in both Canada and the U.S.The situation stands to get even worse as Trump and Elon Musk take a chainsaw to nearly all the American agencies whose work is vital to species protection. If you value nature, it’s therefore crucially important to choose wisely when you cast your ballot on April 28.
How are Canada’s birds doing?

Mar 28, 2025 | mykawartha.com | Drew Monkman

Lost in the political turmoil consuming all of our attention since the re-election of Donald Trump is the worrisome state of biodiversity in both Canada and the U.S.The situation stands to get even worse as Trump and Elon Musk take a chainsaw to nearly all the American agencies whose work is vital to species protection. If you value nature, it’s therefore crucially important to choose wisely when you cast your ballot on April 28.