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

Taking painful stock of where we’re at

6 days 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

1 week 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

1 week 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?

3 weeks ago | 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?

3 weeks ago | 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.
A guide to spring birding in the Kawarthas

1 month ago | thepeterboroughexaminer.com | Drew Monkman

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Monkman: Climate change hurts your wallet — and your health

Jan 24, 2025 | thepeterboroughexaminer.com | Drew Monkman

Writing in the National Observer this week, Max Fawcett reminded us of a prescient quote from Canadian sci-fi novelist William Gibson. “The future is already here. It’s just not very evenly distributed.”A sobering preview of our future is on display right now in Los Angeles. Raging wildfires have destroyed thousands of homes, killed at least 24 people and caused as much as $100 billion in damage.
Monkman: Christmas bird counts are a citizen science tradition

Jan 17, 2025 | thepeterboroughexaminer.com | Drew Monkman

“Wow! There must be at least 20 chickadees that have flown in,” I exclaimed to my friend Brian. “All you do is pish a bit, and they appear like magic. I think we’re over 150 for the day.”While much of this year’s Peterborough Christmas Bird Count felt slow at times, at least we could count on these ubiquitous birds to bolster our list. The Christmas Bird Count is the world’s longest-running citizen science project. The counts are organized at the local level, often by a naturalist club.
Monkman: 2024 was a standout year for local bird sightings

Jan 9, 2025 | thepeterboroughexaminer.com | Drew Monkman

For bird enthusiasts in Peterborough County, 2024 proved to be an exceptional year. Among the 252 species recorded, four rarities stand out: the county’s first-ever Barnacle Goose in April, first-ever Buff-breasted Sandpiper in September, third-ever Western Cattle Egret in October and, in December, the first Harlequin Duck since 1978.
Monkman: Autumn aromas and the enchanting scents of fall

Oct 24, 2024 | thepeterboroughexaminer.com | Drew Monkman

One of my favourite fall memories is raking and burning leaves with my grandfather at our family cottage. The air was filled with the spicy aroma of the fallen foliage, beautifully blended with the sweet smoke from the fires. Now, these same smells impart a certain nostalgia, a reminder of the deep bond I shared with my grandparents and how quickly time passes. Those autumn days remain etched in my heart. Every fall, a symphony of scents fills the air.