Canada

I moved to Canada and I have been living in Parry Sound. Parry Sound, is a town in Ontario, Canada, located on the eastern shore of the sound after which it is named. Parry Sound is located 160km (99mi) south of Sudbury and 225km (140mi) north of Toronto. It is a single tier government located in the territorial District of Parry Sound which has no second tier County, Regional or District level of government. Parry Sound is a popular cottage country Region for Southern Ontario residents. It also has the world's deepest natural freshwater port.

The nature in this town is amazing, it is all around and you can enjoy it. It is as simple as this. I just put on my sneakers or boots and head outside. Whether I'm walking in the neighbourhood, lounging in the park or hiking a trail, anything goes. When I am out in nature, I always try to observe the sights and sounds around me. If I am short on time, I include an extra ten minutes into my commute to pause and I enjoy the scenery around me. I make a mental note of the things I often see or hear, such as a particular type of tree, a bird call or animal. Once I am back home, I usually can do research to learn more about it. If I visit the same place during different seasons, I will gain a new perspective and wonder at nature’s innate wisdom and ingenuity.

I was able to see large mammals like moose and black bear, predators such as wolf and fox, otters, mink, weasels and beaver, and waterfowl, birds of prey and songbirds abound.

Everyone loves mushrooms, right? I like mushrooms a lot. They’re not just delicious but play key ecological functions as decomposers in biodiversity. They spread enzymes that break down dead or decaying organisms and plants which spread nutrients in soil producing new plants and seeds. They are essential sources of food, health benefits, income, and forest health. They also absorb water for the trees. I have been collecting mushrooms since childhood and I get pleasure from it. I managed to collect at least 5 types of mushrooms on the Georgian Bay in the forest.

Also, an important part of my quiet hunting is gathering and harvesting herbs, flowers and tree branches. Afterwards, I dry them and use them to make herbal tea throughout the year. Fireweed (Epilobium Angustifolium) is the most significant herb for me, I use the inflorescences and leaves almost every time.

All of the above confirms that it was not for nothing that Ukrainians chose Canada for immigration because of its extraordinary natural beauty and wealth, and which has become their native home since a long time ago.