The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and gardening season has arrived across Canada. From melons and marigolds -- gardens are a great way to put home grown produce on your table and provide a colourful backdrop. And while most store shelves will be cleared of tulips and lilies, it's the untraditional plants that you may want to consider to set your yard apart from the rest.

(National Volunteer Week - April 22-26)

Volunteers across the country are being recognized this week as National Volunteer Week kicks off. From Goose Bay to North Bay, Canadians who donate their time and talents continue to be a driving force in Canada's economy.

Erica Thompson spends her days coordinating the cross-country Conservation Volunteers program for the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). She sees the positive impact Canadians make every day on the environment.

By Laura Mousseau, Nature Conservancy of Canada

If you haven't been enjoying some winter skiing or snowshoeing, then surely spring's arrival means it's time to hit the trails! Across Ontario, many Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) properties are open and accessible to hikers, and I've got some tips to help you enjoy nature while keeping yourself and wildlife safe. Here are five great hiking DOs for any trail:

Whether as a present for a loved one or a personal indulgence over Boxing Week, electronics are always a popular gift during the holiday season. Sometimes all the hype about new features and tech advances can distract us from thinking about what to do with the gadgets hiding in our basements, closets and drawers.

Showing your loved ones that you care by making a charitable gift in their name resonates with the true holiday spirit of giving. It also ensures your gifts won't be returned, left unused, or re-gifted. But with so many options to choose from, where do you start your search for the right charity?

Tired of the same ill-fitting gifts? The busy malls and the race for that last parking spot? Want your gifts to stand out this year? Then leave the mall behind and give a gift from the heart. Here are a few ideas to get you started!

Ontario is celebrating an important environmental milestone of diverting more than 100,000 tonnes of electronic waste from landfill. Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES) is building on this achievement by motivating gadget-loving individuals to act responsibly by reusing and recycling their electronics when out of use.

According to a recent RBC Insurance survey, only 20 per cent of Canadian homeowners have a rain barrel at their home. However, homeowners may be surprised to learn that installing rain barrels during heavy rainfalls not only helps to reduce the amount of water taxing our sewage systems and overflowing and polluting our rivers and lakes, but can also help prevent water backing up into their basements.

As Ontarians gear up to watch the Giants and Patriots battle it out this Super Bowl Sunday, many will be adding a brand new TV to their list of party essentials to pick up before the big game. But while you're looking to upgrade existing equipment to get that ultimate game day, big-screen experience, it is important to think about what to do with the equipment that is being replaced.

Did you know there are more wetlands in Canada than in any other country in the world? Canada is home to about one quarter of the world's wetlands, covering 14 percent of our country. February 2nd is World Wetlands Day, and if you're wondering why you should care, consider what wetlands do for us. They play a vital role in our day-to-day lives.

From providing ecological services such as flood control and water filtration, to food production