"The cat doth strut and fret upon the stage, and leaves the rest but shadows." 😆

One person's weed is another person's flower... and that couldn't be more true than with Lantana. We came across this colourful cluster of blooms today, and while it's a favourite in many gardens, in other parts of the world it's considered a serious environmental threat. In Australia, lantana is considered one of the country's worst invasive weeds, spreading rapidly and crowding out native plants. In fact, a single plant can produce up to 12,000 seeds in a year! But here's the part I found fascinating. Lantana's tiny flowers actually change colour as they age. A single cluster can bloom in bright yellow and gradually shift to orange, pink, and even red, giving it the nickname "the Skittles of the garden." That colour change isn't just for show. It's nature's version of a traffic light. Once a flower has been pollinated, it darkens, sending a clear message: "Nothing to see here... move along to the fresh blooms!" It's a brilliant strategy that helps pollinators spend less time searching and more time feeding, while improving the plant's chances of successful reproduction. Nature so much to love, so much to learn from. #LoveNature #Mississauga #Outdoors #FlowerPower

I know this isn't everyone's idea of a close-up, but I thought it was pretty cool. While completely harmless to us, garter snakes have developed a natural resistance to the toxins found in some toads and newts, allowing them to eat prey that many other animals avoid. In fact, those toxins can make the snakes themselves slightly poisonous to predators. They also play an important role in our local ecosystem by helping control insects, slugs, and rodents. Unlike many snakes that lay eggs, garter snakes give birth to live young. A single female can have anywhere from 15 to 40 babies at a time. (That would be a pretty freaky discovery in your backyard, no?) Despite what many people think, the name "garter snake" has nothing to do with gardens. Early settlers thought the colourful stripes along their bodies resembled the garter straps once used to hold up men's socks. See you tomorrow for Day 13 of 30 Days of Nature! #LoveNature #EvenSnakes #Outdoors

This is so cool! Tilley is a true wonder dog. She is trained to sniff out invasive species! Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: A small invasive insect that feeds on eastern hemlock trees. Spotted Lanternfly: An invasive sap-feeding insect that attacks a wide range of trees and plants, weakening them and reducing growth and productivity. Red Swamp Crayfish: An invasive crayfish that can outcompete native species. Way to go Tilley and @CVC_CA

It stood out to me, for so many reasons. A simple but striking piece of driftwood, weathered by water and time. Its journey may have started in a forest, travelling through rivers and streams before reaching the lake. Along the way, driftwood helps shape shorelines, slows rushing water, creates habitat for fish and insects, and carries nutrients through the ecosystem. In fact scientists have discovered that driftwood can carry life and energy all the way to the deep ocean floor. In some coastal waters, dead trees and driftwood provide as much as 60% of the organic carbon that fuels marine ecosystems. Even after washing ashore, its work isn't done. Shorebirds rely on driftwood for nesting, feeding, and shelter, while countless other species find a home among its weathered branches. In a world where our waters are increasingly burdened by plastic pollution, driftwood reminds us that natural marine debris can be both beautiful and beneficial. What may look like something washed up and forgotten is actually playing an important role in the health of our planet. A beautiful reminder that in nature, nothing is wasted… and everything is connected. This is day 11 of my 30 days of nature. #LoveNature #Driftwood #Bythewater

Hackers target Peel Police daily in Mississauga and Brampton as cyber threats grow | INsauga “Right now, as we’re sitting here, there is someone — a 13-year-old, 15-year-old, a 25-year-old — somewhere in the world trying to penetrate our systems and access our data.” insauga.com/hackers-target-p…

A tragic day. Every day, first responders leave home not knowing what challenges lie ahead. This heartbreaking tragedy is a stark reminder of the risks they accept to help keep our communities safe. At just 43 years old, Toronto Police Constable Marc Pinizzotto leaves behind his wife and two children. Born in Mississauga and a former Ontario Junior Hockey League captain, he built a life defined by commitment to his family, his teammates, and his community. My heartfelt condolences go out to Constable Pinizzotto's family, his Emergency Task Force teammates, and the entire Toronto Police Service. We stand with them in grief and gratitude as we honour a life dedicated to serving others. May Constable Pinizzotto rest in peace, and may his loved ones find strength and comfort in the days ahead.

Tonight the #CNTower will dim for the first five minutes of every hour in honour of @TorontoPolice Constable Marc Pinizzotto, who died in the line of duty

I have a front-row seat to this. A pair of Black-capped Chickadees built a nest in a small birdhouse we placed in our garden, and it's been fascinating to watch them go about the business of raising a family. Both parents work tirelessly. Research suggests they can make up to 500 trips a day to the nest, delivering an incredible 6,000 to 9,000 insects and caterpillars before their chicks are ready to fledge at around 16 days old. These tiny birds are also surprisingly intelligent. Chickadees hide food for later and can remember thousands of cache locations for weeks. Scientists have even discovered that they can replace old brain cells with new ones, helping them make room for new memories as they age. In the summer, about 90% of their diet consists of insects, including caterpillars, weevils, spiders, and other species many of us would consider pests, making them valuable helpers in our forests and gardens. Even their nights are fascinating. To conserve energy, Black-capped Chickadees can lower their body temperature by 10–12°C and fluff their feathers to trap warm air close to their bodies. This is Day 10 of my 30 Days of Nature. Nature… so much to love. So much to learn from. #30DaysOfNature #BlackCappedChickadee #LoveNatureLovers #Mississauga

Council has voted to adopt permanent changes to the City’s Noise Control By-law that will allow more flexibility for live music. These changes will be limited to the City’s designated cultural districts. Learn more: bit.ly/3SwJhbo

I know... it's just a grasshopper. Right? But consider this: the ancestors of grasshoppers were hopping around more than 300 million years ago, long before dinosaurs ever roamed the Earth! This is a Two-striped Grasshopper, one of Ontario's largest species, with some growing to more than two inches in length. Their powerful hind legs are engineering marvels. On a microscopic level, their muscles can generate up to 10 times the power of our own, allowing them to launch themselves astonishing distances. If humans could jump proportionally as well as a grasshopper, we'd be able to leap the length of a football field in a single bound! Few people know that grasshoppers also have ears on their bellies. Tiny hearing organs tucked beneath their wings help them detect the songs and signals of other grasshoppers. While they're famous for their hearty appetites and the challenges they can create for farmers, grasshoppers also play an important role in the natural world. They are a vital food source for birds, reptiles, amphibians, and many other animals, making them an important part of a healthy ecosystem. This is day 9 of my 30 days of nature. #loveNature #Outdoors #Insects

Congratulations to @CVC_CA and Trees for Life on this wonderful partnership, which will see approximately 24,000 native trees and shrubs planted over the next three years. This investment will help strengthen the health of the natural systems that connect our communities. Native trees clean our air and water, provide habitat for wildlife, reduce flooding and erosion, and help make our neighbourhoods more resilient to a changing climate. Here in Mississauga, and especially in Ward 9, we're incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by beautiful natural spaces that are part of the Credit River watershed. Lake Aquitaine, for example, is much more than a scenic destination. It's an important stormwater management lake, collecting and filtering runoff before the water eventually makes its way to the Credit River. It's a wonderful reminder that our parks, wetlands, and waterways are all connected, and that by protecting and restoring nature today, we're investing in a healthier, more resilient community for generations to come. #Mississauga #Ward9 #CreditValley #TreePlanting #Nature #Community #ClimateResilience

The world is coming to our doorstep! Catch FIFA action on the big screen at Celebration Square starting this Thursday! Between June 11 and July 19, Mississauga's Celebration Square will transform into a gathering place for football fans from around the globe as select FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches are screened for free. Whether you're cheering for Canada, your family's home country, or simply the beautiful game, it's a wonderful opportunity to come together, celebrate our cultures, and create lasting memories with friends and neighbours. #Mississauga #Fifa #CelebrationSquare

RT @PeelPolice: Project Icarus: Former Air Canada Captain Arrested for Allegedly Flying Over 900 Flights Without Licence READ MORE: http…

For several years now, I've welcomed the month of June with my annual 30 Days of Nature. It is a daily celebration of the natural wonders that surround us. Every day is a chance to discover something new and appreciate the beauty that's often hiding in plain sight. This is Day 8: Moss. It's a shaggy green rug that would leave Austin Powers envious! Moss is a remarkable plant that has been around for more than 400 million years. Unlike most plants, moss doesn't have true roots. Instead, it anchors itself with tiny hair-like structures called rhizoids and absorbs water and nutrients directly from its surroundings. Think of moss as nature's sponge. It helps soak up rainfall, keeps soils moist, and creates the humid conditions that allow other plants and wildlife to thrive. With an estimated 20,000 species found on every continent where plants can grow, these tiny green carpets play a surprisingly big role in keeping ecosystems healthy. A gentle reminder that some of nature's greatest wonders aren't the tallest trees or the largest animals, sometimes they're the small, quiet miracles beneath our feet. Nature so much to love, so much to learn #30DaysOfNature #Lovenature #Moss #Biodiversity #Mississauga #OntarioNature

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I've been following Council's recent decision to extend Mississauga's development charge waiver program, which is intended to help spur the construction of new housing across our city. It's an important conversation because it touches on two priorities many residents care deeply about: creating more housing options and ensuring growth is supported by the infrastructure our communities rely on. The discussion comes at a time when the City is also reporting a significant decline in development charge reserves, highlighting the importance of balancing housing growth with long-term financial sustainability. Ward 9 is front and centre for upcoming growth and redevelopment and it's important we get it right. We need to create housing opportunities while making sure our roads, parks, community centres, transit, and other essential services continue to meet the needs of residents. As our community evolves, thoughtful planning will be key to preserving the quality of life that makes Ward 9 such a special place to call home. I look forward to connecting with many residents in person about this issue and others in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, you can always reach out to me at VoteAnwarKnight.ca. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Mississauga extends developer fee waivers to 2029 despite dwindling reserve funds mississauga.com/news/council… via @MissiNewsRoom

Their journey starts here. This World Ocean Day, let’s help keep our oceans healthy for sea turtles and the countless species that call them home. 🌊🐢