Toronto's Biodiversity Booklet Series

Since 2009 the City of Toronto has been working on different booklets that showcase the biodiversity found in the region. With each booklet focusing on a different flora or fauna (birds, mammals, trees, etc.), a great series has been built to familiarize the citizens of Toronto with their "non-human" neighbours.

From the website:

Imagine a Toronto with flourishing natural habitats and an urban environment made safe for a great diversity of wildlife species. Envision a city whose residents treasure their daily encounters with the remarkable and inspiring world of nature, and the variety of plants and animals who share this world. Take pride in a Toronto that aspires to be a world leader in the development of urban initiatives that will be critical to the preservation of our flora and fauna.

... It is hoped that despite the severe biodiversity loss due to massive urbanization, pollution, invasive species, habitat loss and climate change, the Biodiversity Booklet Series will help to re-connect people with the natural world, and raise awareness of the seriousness that biodiversity loss represents and how it affects them directly. The Series will help cultivate a sense of stewardship in residents; inform the City of the current state of local biodiversity and how current City policies, procedures and operations can be enhanced, altered or revised in order to help mitigate local biodiversity loss.

The Reptile and Amphibian Booklet was released last June (2011) by Julia Phillips. Check out the complete series here: Toronto's Biodiversity Series