LEO Network

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The LEO Network is a worldwide network of observers and experts that share their observations of environmental change.
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Observations

Cut off from Natural Flow- Changing Waterways and Realized Impacts
I’ve realized over the years that the “pond” seems to be changing in size and becoming much more channelized/shallow in spots.
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada

Deforestation of the British Columbia Pine due to Pine Beetle infection
Since the pine beetle infestation during the 1980's much of the alpine vegetation as yet to return, resulting in the areas looking bare and uncultivated.
Bowron Lake Provincial park

Why Are There So Many Thistles In Alberta?
An unusual surge in the invasive Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) has been observed in Alberta, attributed to climate change, land disturbances, and poor pasture management.
Central Alberta

Reduction of Flying Insects
An observer reports a significant decline in flying insects in Chetwynd, British Columbia, noting fewer bugs on windshields and a lack of pollination in blueberry bushes.
Chetwynd, British Columbia, Canada

Worsening Eutrophication of Charlie Lake, BC
The high productivity of Charlie Lake is leading to alarming deterioration.
Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada

Bobcats in urban neighbourhood
A resident of Calgary observed two bobcats in an urban setting, a rare sighting for an area where such wildlife is typically solitary and less visible.
Panorama Hills, Calgary, Alberta

Sudden erosion shoreward of retaining seawall after rainfall event
Soil erosion, ground subsidance, and structural damage to a public square occurred just shoreward of a retaining seawall in Alert Bay after high rainfall events.
Alert Bay, BC, Canada

Occurrence of Western Hemlock Looper Moth in Metro Vancouver
An outbreak of Western Hemlock Looper Moths in Vancouver, linked to climate stressors, has led to significant tree damage and is part of a global trend of increasing insect infestations.
Mt Seymour, North Vancouver, British Columbia

Invasive Species, Lily Beetle (Lillioceris lilii) Observed in Regina, Saskatchewan
These beetles are invasive and can devastate gardens and wild lily populations, as they feed on all parts of lily plants. They are likely being introduced to the region by traveling on imported lilies, and are able to survive in the warmer temperatures brought about by climate change.
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Drought-Related Tree Mortality
Merritt, British Columbia, Canada

Huge quantities of sargassum seaweed on the coast of Tulum, Mexico.
An observer reports an unusually large influx of sargassum seaweed on Tulum's coast, requiring constant cleanup by resort staff, a phenomenon studied for its diverse impacts.
Tankah Tres, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Capelin (Mallotus villosus) on the Shores of Ugpi’ganjig
Eel River Cove, New Brunswick, Canada

Increasing Impact of European Elm Scale (Eriococcus spurius) in Calgary’s Urban Forest
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Homes for Barred Owls (Strix varia) After Nova Scotia Deforestation
Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada

Raccoons (Procyon lotor) Arrive in Fort Frances
Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada

Big bams (Populus balsamifera) coming down
The Balsam Poplar in the Montney Valley are weakened and after a somewhat gentle winter of snow and wind are subject to unusual amounts of blowdown, uprooting, and breakage.
Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada

Impacts of Wastewater Effluents

Increase of Invasive Species Locally
Construction of flood control berms in the city of Medicine Hat appears to have facilitated the proliferation of invasive flora in the city.
Medicine Hat Alberta

Boreal Chickadees seen on the Jack Pine Trail
Jack Pine Trail, Bells Corners, Ontario, Canada

Increased Number of High Particulate Matter Pollution Events in South Korea
Seoul, Seoul, South Korea

Pine Beetle in Jasper National Park
Patricia Lake, Alberta, Canada

Gypsy Cuckoo Bumble Bee (Bombus bohemicus) in Whitehorse
Whitehorse, YT

Recent Disruption of Lake Ecosystem by Flood Reduction Measures
Ghost Lake, Alberta, Canada

Downy Brome (Bromus tectorum) Infestation on Native Prairie
Taber, Alberta, Canada

Increased forest fires in NWT
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada

Increased severity of wildfires in BC
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

2017 Okanagan Wildfires
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

Bee Decline in ON
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Altered streamflow in North Saskatchewan River due to construction
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Increased number of Significant Rain Events - January to April 2018
Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada

Increased Overwintering of Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)
There were increased interactions with Canada Goose that took place over the winter months when the birds are expected to migrate south.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Flooding in Southern Alberta
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Cold and Snowy Spring
The below average temperatures and higher than average volumes of snow have been observed this Spring (mid March to mid April) in Calgary Alberta. My observation is based off a comparison experience with spring 2017, where there was no snow and warmer than average temperatures.

Record April Snowfall in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Marquette, Michigan, United States

Increased Snowpack and reduced weather fluctuations in Calgary

Long-billed Syndrome in Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Recent trend of beak abnormalities have been discovered across orders of birds in North America.
Richmond, British Columbia, Canada

Increasing pollution in Baridhara Lake Park, Dhaka
Baridhara Lakeside Park, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Eastern Musk Turtle Death in Unusual Habit - Village of Petworth
Napanee, Ontario, Canada

Flooding in Grand River, Ontario
This high temperature resulted in a large and quick melt of the snow which caused significant flooding through the watershed.
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) Sighting
A Snowy Owl was observed midday in a tree beside the parking lot of the Vancouver International Airport.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) Mortality
North Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) at Pinawa Landfill
Pinawa, Manitoba, Canada

Invasive Virile Crayfish (Orconectes virilis) found in Nose Creek

Abundant growth of algae in Mountains lake, Chelsea, Quebec
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Increase Prevalence of Tent Caterpillars in the Canadian Prairies
Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Canada

Shift to Nocturnal Foraging by Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni)
Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada

Badger (Taxidea taxus) Family at Teck Resources Line Creek Mine
Sparwood, British Columbia, Canada

Death and Disease in Urban Maple Trees
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Increased wolverine (Gulo gulo) sightings in Upper Lillooet Drainage
Upper Lillooet Drainage

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) Irruption
Over 30 Snowy Owls observed at Boundary Bay Regional Park.
Delta, British Columbia, Canada

Thousands of Spongy moth caterpillars (Lymantria dispar dispar)
For a decade, Fenwick, Ontario faced severe defoliation by invasive spongy moths, despite aerial bacterial treatments reducing their numbers.
Fenwick, Ontario, Canada

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