Like many regions across Ontario, West Lake in Prince Edward County is experiencing altered shorelines, habitat fragmentation, and growing development pressure. The 1,903-hectare lake is bordered by the largest freshwater baymouth barrier dune system in the world, found within Sandbanks Provincial Park. West Lake contains a large provincially significant wetland and is home to at least 35 species at risk.

West Lake Community Association (WLCA) is a volunteer non-profit that was formed to engage residents and visitors of the small community with the aim of preserving its uniqueness and protecting West Lake’s biodiverse and fragile ecosystems. WLCA is a member of Ontario Nature’s Nature Network.

Understanding the Threats to West Lake

WLCA and Ontario Nature began a collaborative project with a fundamental question: where is the most vulnerable habitat around West Lake? Several major threats are impacting the ecosystems in and around the lake, including shoreline erosion and development pressure. Parts of West Lake are being choked out by rapidly spreading invasive aquatic vegetation. These threats are affecting a variety of species at risk in the area, including Blanding’s turtle, monarch butterfly and bobolink.

Creating Habitat Suitability Models for Species at Risk in West Lake

Through a collaborative effort to identify where species are most vulnerable in West Lake, partners created habitat suitability models to show where important habitat exists and where habitat restoration and stewardship efforts may be needed.

Selecting Species for Our Models

Our project chose four “representative species” whose habitat needs overlap with those of many other plants and animals in the area: butternut, Eastern meadowlark, Eastern musk turtle and pugnose shiner. These species were selected because together they represent a range of terrestrial and aquatic habitat needs. When the models for these four species were combined, it highlighted these specific vulnerable habitats: healthy woodlands that support butternut, open meadows and fields used by Eastern meadowlark, wetlands and shorelines that are needed by Eastern musk turtles, and clean, vegetated water where pugnose shiner live.

Identifying Important Habitat for Protection and Restoration

Much of the ideal habitat was near the provincially significant West Lake Wetland, along shorelines in the northeast corner of the lake, and within Sandbanks Provincial Park. These areas may represent priority locations where habitat restoration and conservation efforts could be focused.

Sharing the Importance of West Lake with an Interactive Story Map

Engaging with the community and sharing knowledge about West Lake was another goal of the project. WLCA works to encourage interest and engagement among residents to help preserve the uniqueness of the West Lake watershed. They have hosted numerous educational workshops and events, including an annual Environmental Symposium, creating signage to raise awareness of the West Lake Wetland, and partnered with Water Rangers on their Youth Engagement project to train youth on water quality monitoring.

Through collaboration, partners have created the West Lake StoryMap, an interactive mapping tool that blends maps and images to share information about West Lake’s history and ecology. The West Lake StoryMap allows residents and visitors to:

• Discover the history of West Lake
• Identify threats to its ecosystems
• Explore areas vulnerable to flooding, erosion and other natural hazards
• Learn about actions WLCA has taken to steward West Lake

By bringing together community perspectives and spatial analyses, the West Lake community has a clear picture of what makes this place special and what threatens its ecosystems. These tools are intended to inspire residents and visitors to get involved in the conservation and protection of West Lake, through shoreline restoration, invasive species removal or by simply learning more about the species that call this area home. With this StoryMap and the continued leadership of the West Lake Community Association, everyone can play a part in keeping West Lake in Prince Edward County healthy for generations to come.

Contact Us

If you or your organization are interested in exploring a conservation or habitat modelling project in Ontario like this, please reach out to Graeme Smith by email at graemes@ontarionature.org or by submitting a request form.

By Graeme Smith and Cathie Coultis

Graeme Smith is the GIS Coordinator at Ontario Nature. He has completed a B.Sc. in biology at Laurentian University and a M.Sc. in environmental and life sciences at Trent University. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, playing board games and exploring the outdoors.

Cathie Coultis is the Chair and Co-Founder of West Lake Community Association. She lives in the hamlet of West Lake with her husband and family dog, enjoys kayaking, cycling, bird watching, gardening, snowshoeing and being active in their rural community.

SINGAPORE: Does earning two or three times Singapore’s median income make life feel easy?

That was the question one Redditor posed online after wondering what life is really like for people bringing home around two to three times the median take-home pay in Singapore.

“What’s life like in Singapore? Do you also feel the inflation, or does everything feel easy? Would SG feel like Utopia at this point?” the Redditor asked, inviting others to share their experiences.

Many commenters were quick to point out that earning two or three times the median income does not make someone “crazy rich.”

Instead, they described it as being financially comfortable, with more flexibility in daily life but not complete freedom from money worries.

One commenter said that regardless of how much people earn, many eventually adjust their lifestyles to match their income.

“Earnings increase, lifestyle choices become more premium,” the commenter wrote.

Others said the key is not necessarily how much a person earns, but how much they spend.

One Redditor argued that learning to live below one’s means brings a greater sense of security, adding that even high earners can feel stressed if they spend everything they make.

Another commenter who said they earn around three times the median income shared that they still do not feel rich.

“You don’t have to think so hard about the money you spend. Upgrade. More expensive restaurants. Can afford more extra activities for children. More holidays. Can give parents more,” the commenter wrote.

“That being said, we still count our pennies and live within our means. Money can come in and go the next day. Stay humble and be grateful.”

This article (Singaporeans share what life is really like on S$10k to S$15k a month) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

Timestamps:
00:00 Why I am playing Papers, Please
01:18 Wrapping up and outro

Recording date: May 24 2026
Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZYaZFwiyg1X-bkdeKY6KMA6ahCTf8Y_m

==============
Follow all my videos and clips here: https://youtu.be/M03yHW2Nlyg
Get all the latest announcements on Discord: https://discord.gg/5s7r38JGwb
Check my other socials and credits here: https://djserjaysvek.carrd.co/

==============
#SerjaySvek #DJSerjaySvek #PHVTuber #ENVTuber #VTuber #LetsPlay #PapersPlease

Eudaemonius posted a photo:

Interesting game for those who like 4X in space. Master of Orion and such. There appears to be a bug in the tutorial where it sets the marker outside the available area; so I don't think I can finish the tutorial. Otherwise it seems to run fine on OpenBSD 7.9-current.

When it comes to everyday wardrobe staples, Ashley Iaconetti isn’t convinced you need to spend a fortune. In fact, the Real House of Rhode Island star swears by an affordable Amazon favorite that starts at just $10 and has become her everyday uniform. The high-waisted leggings feature tummy control, deep side pockets and a soft, stretchy fabric designed to move with you throughout the day.

After testing countless athleisure brands over the years, Iaconetti realized these budget-friendly leggings consistently outperform some of the pricier options in her closet.

“One of the biggest misconceptions is that people need to spend over $100 for a good pair of leggings or yoga pants,” she told Us Weekly. “I promise you that some of the ones that are $40 and under are my very favorites.”

Get the No Nonsense Every Day Pocket Legging for $10 (originally $20) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

What feature sold Iaconetti immediately? The pockets. The leggings are designed with drop-in side pockets large enough to hold a phone, keys or other essentials, making them ideal for busy days on the go.

Kyle Richards' ‘Go-To’ Leggings Are Just $19 for Cyber Weekend

“I have thought that maybe I should throw out all of my athleisure if they don’t have pockets because pockets are so crucial to my life,” she said. “I need my phone on me at all times. I love having a podcast going while I clean the house, and if I’m running errands, I love to just go in without a purse.”

Another reason she’s a fan is the flattering fit. The leggings feature a wide, supportive waistband that smooths and hugs without digging in, plus a high-rise silhouette that enhances your natural shape. The breathable four-way stretch fabric also helps keep you comfortable whether you’re lounging, traveling or tackling your to-do list.

“I love a high-waisted yoga pant,” Iaconetti admitted. “It makes my tummy look pretty tiny and flat. It’s stretchy, but it still holds form.” She added that, unlike some leggings she’s tried, these don’t leave uncomfortable seams etched into her skin by the end of the day.

Perhaps most surprising is that Iaconetti doesn’t even wear these bottoms primarily for workouts.

“These are definitely more of a lifestyle legging for me,” she said. “I wear them with sweatshirts, sports bras, crop tops or a big baggy band tee. Sometimes I think they look better than jeans because they hug the butt and show off the waist better.”

The best part, according to Iaconetti, is that they wash well, retain their shape and don’t shrink. “They hold you in and make me feel like my body shows curves in the right way when I’m wearing them.”

If you’re looking for a comfortable, flattering pair of leggings that won’t blow your budget, Iaconetti’s favorite Amazon find is definitely worth adding to your cart. At this price, grab more than one color before they sell out!

Get the No Nonsense Every Day Pocket Legging for $10 (originally $20) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more leggings and athleisure essentials here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Amazon Reviewers Say These Bestselling Leggings 'Makes Your Booty Look Great'

PUTRAJAYA, June 15 — Media literacy among the public needs to be strengthened so that people are better equipped to critically evaluate information and identify misleading content amid the rapid evolution of the digital media landscape, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said.

She said the ability to distinguish between credible information and manipulated content has become increasingly important as society enters a new era driven by generative artificial intelligence (AI), which is reshaping the global media ecosystem.

“By 2030, Malaysia will need a media ecosystem that is more resilient, innovative and trusted,” she said in her keynote address at the industry dialogue themed “Balancing Virality and Responsibility: Journalism Amid Speed, Trust and Impact” here today.

Teo said efforts to strengthen media literacy should be complemented by greater training in AI, digital verification and information security to ensure Malaysian journalists are well prepared for future challenges.

She also called for closer collaboration among the media industry, universities and the government in talent development and research related to media transformation.

Teo noted that content is now produced on an unprecedented scale, making it increasingly difficult for the public to distinguish between accurate information, misleading content and deliberately manipulated narratives.

“The major challenge in the attention economy is that algorithms do not necessarily reward the most accurate or beneficial content. In many cases, they prioritise content that triggers strong emotional reactions,” she said.

Despite growing pressure to deliver news rapidly across multiple platforms, Teo said the fundamental principles of journalism must remain unchanged, with facts needing to be checked, information verified and truth prioritised.

She said media organisations had traditionally competed to be the first to break a story, but the race had become far more demanding as news now travels in real time and audiences expect information to be available instantly.

“When an incident occurs, various versions of the story often circulate online before journalists have the opportunity to verify the facts. In such situations, media organisations face a difficult dilemma. If they are too slow, they risk being seen as lagging. If they are too fast, they risk making mistakes that could undermine their credibility,” she said.

Teo added that the future of the media would not be determined by virality alone, but by its ability to earn and sustain public trust.

“Trust is not built in a day. It is built when the media is willing to acknowledge mistakes and correct them openly. It is built when the media places the public interest above the pursuit of sensationalism,” she said.

She added that the media industry is complex and dynamic, and is best served through responsible self-regulation rather than excessive state intervention.

Teo said this understanding had guided the Madani Government’s efforts to establish the Malaysian Media Council (MMC), which was successfully formed in 2025 after years of discussions and advocacy by industry stakeholders.

On the council’s complaints mechanism, she said Phase Two was implemented on April 8 this year and had already shown encouraging progress, with 14 complaints involving issues such as reporting accuracy, the unauthorised use of images and matters affecting social harmony received in less than two months.

Of the total complaints received, 12 have been resolved, while the remaining cases are under review. — Bernama 

Manuel Gual posted a photo:

Madrid 1974: A Retro Spy Comedy Through the Secret Files of a Chaotic Bureaucracy

Description

A cinematic retro series set in a fictional 1974 Madrid, blending spy comedy, bureaucratic absurdity, street chases, secret archives, analog surveillance and vintage Spanish urban life. The images recreate a world of confidential folders, smoky offices, rotary telephones, typewriters, old taxis, crowded markets, railway stations, rooftop antennas, hidden laboratories, newspaper presses and suspicious government corridors. The atmosphere feels like a lost espionage farce from the seventies: serious men in ill fitting suits, anxious messengers, improvised agents, comic confusion, urgent missions and a constant sense that every secret operation is seconds away from becoming a public disaster.

The collection moves between interior and exterior scenes with strong narrative continuity: intelligence offices full of papers, tense investigations, chaotic pursuits through Madrid streets, undercover activity in cafés and markets, and surreal technical experiments in improvised laboratories. Its visual language combines photorealistic period detail with comic exaggeration, creating a nostalgic but dynamic tribute to classic European spy parody, Spanish popular culture and analog detective fiction.

These images have been generated by Artificial Intelligence.

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Can the industry that taught the world to consume help us learn to consume more responsibly? Luke Purdy, Director of Sustainability at one of the world’s leading creative agencies, Wieden+Kennedy, is betting his career on it. After 13 years working on major accounts like Nike and Corona at one of the world’s most influential creative agencies, Purdy did something unusual: he wrote his own job description and asked to become the agency’s first sustainability director. Wieden+Kennedy gave him the job, and in 2023, the agency became the first global advertising network to achieve B Corp certification across all nine offices in seven countries. With brands spending over $700 billion annually on advertising worldwide, the messages agencies craft shape not just what people buy, but how they think about consumption itself.

Luke discusses how he sold sustainability as a business value proposition rather than a compliance issue, why he reports to the CFO instead of the CMO, and how Wieden+Kennedy’s carbon removal program for video productions is changing industry standards. He also tackles thorny questions about greenwashing that can guide which clients agencies should work with, arguing that guiding any company toward sustainability is better than refusing to engage. He shares lessons from helping transform Danish Oil and Natural Gas into Ørsted, one of the world’s leading renewable energy companies, and explains why authentic storytelling beats green leaves and clichés every time. Can advertising agencies avoid greenwashing while still growing their clients’ businesses? And what does it mean when sustainability becomes culture rather than just compliance?

You can learn more about Wieden+Kennedy’s sustainability work at wk.com.

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Editor’s Note: This episode originally aired on November 10, 2025.

The post Best of Sustainability In Your Ear: Luke Purdy, Wieden+Kennedy’s Director of Sustainability, on Advertising’s Power To Change appeared first on Earth911.