A Guest Blog by Erich Hoyt

On the morning of May 30, off Tofino, British Columbia, an orca calf, complete with fresh fetal folds and typical orange (instead of white) patches, surfaced between two mature females of J Pod.

There is always joy at the sight and sounds, the presence of a new baby. When that baby is a several hundred pound killer whale, born to J Pod in the southern resident orca community, the event turns into big news. This is a very welcome occurrence as the southern community has lost most of their calves in recent years and their numbers have dwindled to 75 — now 76 — individuals, down from a high of more than 100 before SeaWorld and other aquariums ransacked these pods with repeated captures in the 1960s and 1970s. The captures in BC and Washington State waters ended in 1976 but the southern orca community has had compounded pressures and threats including boat traffic, noise, pollution loads and reduced numbers of their preferred food, Chinook salmon. The southern community has been given endangered status by both the U.S. and Canadian governments.

Summer is a season of simple pleasures. Toes in the sand, the sun on your face, garden fresh fruit and vegetables, and a good book in a shady spot.

In keeping with the season, we’ve pulled together an easy but elegant menu perfect for a summer dinner party or an easy lunch with friends.

To quote the author of Grow What You Love —and creator of our first recipe — Emily Murphy: “The simplest recipes are often the most jaw-dropping, especially when made with the freshest ingredients.”

These recipes may be simple, but they will have jaws dropping and mouths watering all summer.

from 101 Things for Kids To Do Outside by Dawn Isaac

Butterflies are a lot like children. They are both more than happy just eating sugar. However, unlike children, butterflies can do this without running around like maniacs afterwards and feeling slightly ill.

So, why not use some sugar to set up a butterfly feeder in your backyard and watch to see which butterflies visit?

Make a Butterfly Feeder

June is Camping Month, and we can’t wait to get out into the great outdoors and enjoy all that nature has to offer.

We also can’t wait to fire up the camp stove and cook over the fire. Because we know a camper can’t survive on s’mores alone, we’ve turned to the Happy Camper himself, Kevin Callan, and the delicious recipes in his book The New Trailside Cookbook for some camping snack inspiration.

Written in collaboration with registered dietitian and nutrition expert Margaret Howard, this book features 100 tasty camping recipes that you can prepare at home and then serve on the go.

From a fruity dessert to the best trail mix you’ll ever taste, these are the go-to treats you’ll want to take on every camping trip this summer.

The days are getting warmer, brighter, and longer, and that means summer is on its way!

We’ve already fired up the barbecue and started planning our summer holidays, but what we really can’t wait for is to spend more time enjoying the great outdoors.

Since June is Great Outdoors Month, we’ve pulled together the Firefly Great Outdoors Instagram Challenge to inspire you to get outside and enjoy the wonders of nature.

The challenge is simple: we want you to post one photo each day for the whole month of June, each one inspired by the great outdoors.