Kids Jumping in Lake. Jake Good

As Canadians, we are lucky to have a large and diverse country to explore. Many of us don't appreciate that even in the city we are never too far away from the great Canadian wilderness. While some may find it easier to be active in the spring and summer, Canadians are also well known for our love of winter activities. Here are just a few of the activities to be enjoyed:

• Bird watching
• Walk the kids to school
• Kayaking and canoeing
• Soccer or touch football
• Swimming
• Skating, cycling, or roller blading
• Cross-country skiing
• Fishing
• Skiing/snowboarding
• Outdoor ice hockey
• Boating
• Sledding
• Hiking and walking
• Snowshoeing

Our local environment is an important part of each of these activities. The health of our environment directly affects our well-being and our ability to keep active and enjoy ourselves. We all take enjoyment from the environment, and in order to continue to enjoy it we must protect it. There are numerous ways you can become involved in protecting your local environment. Take a look at the Watershed Initiatives section for ideas. This section discusses some of the issues and health effects associated with the environment and our recreational activities, and provides useful information on how you can become involved and be a part of the local solution.

Read more: At the Beach

Read Local: Community Activities in My Watershed