durhamregion.com This Week | Thursday, February 24, 2022 | 8 ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a whollyowned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 70 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the newspaper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca newsroom@durhamregion.com facebook.com/newsdurham @newsdurham WHO WE ARE Vice President Dana Robbins Regional General Manager Anne Beswick Director of Content Lee Ann Waterman Managing Editor Mike Lacey Director of Advertising Tanya Pacheco Director Distribution Jason Christie Director Creative Services Katherine Porcheron Durham Advisory Council Dan Carter; Esther Enyolu; Jake Farr; Dr. Vidal Chavannes; Cynthia Davis; Elaine Popp/Don Lovisa; John Henry; Sue McGovern; Kerri King; Steve Yamada; Kelly LaRocca; Peter Bethlenfalvy; Dr. Steven Murphy; Norah Marsh; Tracy Paterson; Chris Darling; Christina Curry CONTACT US This Week Phone: 905- 579-4407 Newsroom: 905-215-0462 Sales: 905-215-0424 Classifieds: 1-800-263-6480 Fax: 905-579-2238 Web: www.durhamregion.com Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 320 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Published letters will appear in print and/or online at durhamregion.com Delivery For all delivery inquiries, call 905-579-4407 or visit the Contact Us page on durhamregion.com. OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT DURHAMREGION.COM Close your eyes. Picture yourself beneath a tree, and breathe deeply. In your yard, in a park or way up in the boreal forest, it doesn't matter where you're standing in your mind's eye. Your tree is cleaning the air you just breathed in, and it might also be sheltering a squirrel or boasting a choir of songbirds. That's the power of nature. Nature also serves as a refuge for many people who seek out its songs, fresh smells and vibrant colours when everyday stresses mount up. Over the last 24 months, the footsteps on trails in conservation areas and parks across Ontario have marked our rekindled connection with the natural world. Across the province, people are flocking to nature to help soothe anxieties brought on or amplified by the pandemic. In fact, results from a recent Ipsos Public Affairs poll for the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) pointed out that 40 per cent of people in Ontario are spending more time in nature now than they were before the pandemic began. One-third of all respondents said that being in nature helps them cope with stress and anxiety brought on by the pandemic. These findings underscore why protecting and caring for nature is so vital. People are turning to nature reserves and green spaces for physically distanced outdoor activities that support their physical, mental and emotional health. We are embracing opportunities to get fresh air, exercise, feel a sense of calm and take a break from increased telework and screen time. Of the 18 per cent of people in that poll who said they are spending less time in nature, lack of access was a barrier for many who said they require transportation or don't have natural spaces close to where they live. Others said they simply don't have time. From the nature in your garden to the remarkable 15 million hectares that NCC has helped protect across Canada -- roughly double the size of New Brunswick -- each leaf, bird and bug plays an important role, not just in our own well-being, but also in the natural systems that support biodiversity and help lessen the impacts of climate change. It's why we're taking significant steps to help protect 30 per cent of Canada's land by 2030, because when nature thrives, we all thrive. So, wherever you are, take a deep breath in and experience the power of nature surrounding you. Mike Hendren is the regional vice-president for the Nature Conservancy of Canada in Ontario. WELL-LOVED TRAILS TELL OF OUR RELIANCE ON NATURE It's about trust. Our relationship with our readers is built on transparency, honesty and integrity. As such, we have launched a trust initiative to tell you who we are and how and why we do what we do. This column is part of that project. When we set out to hear from leaders in our community and invited them to join our advisory council, we knew we'd be engaging in many meaningful conversations. These discussions have yet to disappoint. In fact, they've proven to be a source of great inspiration for many editorial initiatives, including today's themed edition: Our Changed World. It's thanks, in part, to members of Torstar and Metroland's advisory councils that we set out to explore the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our everyday lives. We heard through many discussions how the pandemic had forced municipalities, groups, businesses, not-for-profit organizations and residents to adapt to a new way of life. And this got us thinking: are these changes permanent? Sustainable? Innovative? Our Changed World is a probing examination of the impact of the pandemic on our lives. While our journalists dig deep to explore the impact on the local community, some of Canada's leading thinkers help us understand how the pandemic changed employment and work, health care, retail, government, our relationship with the natural world, housing, community, education, immigration, our children -- and more. Throughout this special edition, you'll also hear from local residents -- your friends and neigh- bours, who shared their personal experiences with us. Some tell us the pandemic hasn't had a significant impact on their day-to-day life, while others report having to shift and pivot to adapt to what they now consider to be the new norm. They have reconsidered how they operate their business, re-evaluated their relationship with nature, and reconsidered how they access health care. In all, we hope that this special edition will enlighten, delight and inspire you. Catherine O'Hara is deputy director of content for Metroland. We welcome your questions and value your comments. Email our trust committee at trust@metroland.com. ADVISORY COUNCILS INSPIRE THEMED EDITION CATHERINE O'HARA Column MIKE HENDREN Column