As published in Orillia Matters on March 4, 2025 I remember reading an article in this paper when McLean & Dickey Insurance renovated their new building – the old A&P on King street – for energy efficiency. Finally! A company willing to go first and be a role model! I’d …
Move From Radio To Couchiching Conservancy A Wild Ride (As originally published in Orillia Matters)
I’m a middle age woman who has just switched careers at 45. It’s terrifying. I worked in media for close to twenty years. I got up at 3:30am, arrived at work to read news headlines, celebrity gossip and stories from around the world before going on air at 5:30. I’d …
The Couchiching Conservancy furthers land protection efforts near Hillsdale thanks to donors
The Couchiching Conservancy has increased land protection thanks to two donors, Sandy Agnew and Lynne Melnyk. The 39.5-acre property, 9km north of Hillsdale, was originally protected under an easement agreement in 2004 and has now been donated outright to the Conservancy. An easement is a legal entity that allows land …
Selling Conservation
As a millennial my 1990’s childhood was the target of the most sophisticated and prolific marketing aimed at children in history to that point. My generation has an inherent understanding of marketing and sales, we could point out product placement by the time we were 8 and we can automatically …
Release the Wild – Youth in Action
Youth in our region are acting to help species like White-tailed Deer, Moose, and Black Bear by participating in hands-on conservation projects! On June 1st, 2024, the Angela Rehhorn Commemorative Project hosted an impactful workshop focused on removing fences that obstruct wildlife corridors. This initiative not only aimed at enhancing …
Recap of the first Youth Program Workshop
What do animal tracks, trail cameras and fencing have in common? A lot! This was the focus of our first Youth Program Workshop, which looked at barriers wildlife face on the landscape and what we can do to help. We kicked off the first 2024 event of the Angela Rehhorn …
Mitchell Bruce Nature Reserve Secured Through Generous Donation
In a significant conservation milestone for the Washago area, the Couchiching Conservancy announced today the protection of 85-acres adjoining Alexander Hope Smith Nature Reserve. The property was donated by Leslie and Irene Bruce who have strong ties to the area, and is named in honour of their late son Mitchell …
Amongst the Trees
As we set off on our adventure to the Adams Nature Reserve, the air was crisp with the first hints of autumn’s arrival. The afternoon sun cast a golden glow down on the changing leaves, painting the forest in a palette of fiery reds, golden yellows, and rustic oranges. The …
An early holiday gift for you!
When someone decides to donate their land to The Couchiching Conservancy, it is often after years of getting to know us and building a trusting relationship. The news arrives as a wonderful surprise and cheers erupt through the office as word spreads. There can be no better day for a land trust. …
30 years of protecting nature
November 4th is an important date in our calendar. It is the date that The Couchiching Conservancy was originally incorporated, making this November 4th our 30th anniversary! It is hard to summarize everything that has happened over that time. We were formed by a small group of people who were …