Our most memorable childhood experiences, those that shape us, take place in the company of a trusted adult. Given the highly protective, restrictive nature of children’s outdoor experiences in today’s world, the presence of an involved adult is key. In essence, these adults act as the gatekeepers of children’s access to the natural world.
Conservation action made possible by volunteer team
With involvement in more than 40 natural properties and a very small paid staff, The Couchiching Conservancy would be in a tough spot if not for a small army of dedicated volunteers. Many of those volunteers make up property teams which help us look after the lands under our care.
Nature Deficit Disorder – we can fix this!
As parents, we are constantly bombarded with all the things that we must be doing wrong. Blame and finger pointing is prevalent. There is even a trendy new label for this crisis of disconnect and inactivity – “Nature Deficit Disorder” – and the reported long-term effects of this syndrome are frightening.
But, here is the good news: we can fix this. We can turn it around. It is not too late.
Saving Our Precious Natural Spaces
Washago is lucky to have two large nature reserves owned by The Couchiching Conservancy in the vicinity. A second spot on the south side of the Trent-Severn Waterway gives residents another oasis: the Thomas C. Agnew Nature Reserve. Again, when you set foot on this property, you’re touching not only a lovely landscape, but a big idea.
A local conservation hero: Ken Thomson
Ken was a founding member and an early president of the organization. He has worked tirelessly for the conservancy as a volunteer since it began in 1993. If you have walked over a bridge on one of our properties, or taken a moment to look at a sign, you’ve experienced some of his work first-hand.
Into the minds of birds and birders
It is estimated there are over 50 million people in North America alone who consider themselves bird watchers! This group is made up of casual bird watchers–people who may know a few local species, to the professional birder who make serious study of birds and their behaviour.
Balsam fir; Not just a tree for the festive season
Forested areas in our region contain a wide variety of majestic deciduous and coniferous trees. As you travel further north in Simcoe County, the forest type shifts as you get closer to the Canadian Shield. You will begin to notice that there are more conifer trees, especially the common, yet important, balsam fir.
Bird Watching: Bird Houses in the Winter
Come fall and winter when most of our song birds have gone south, we tend to forget the bird houses we have in our yards. But have another look!
Continuing to bring key habitat under protection
One of the organization’s key goals is to move beyond isolated islands of green by linking protected areas to create critical masses of natural habitat with connecting corridors.
In other words: bridge building.
For years now, the Conservancy has been at work with various partners on the Carden Alvar to protect this globally-rare ecosystem. The alvar — a limestone plain with shallow soil or no soil at all — lies just east of Lake Dalrymple and it has garnered interest around the world. Protecting it would be a good thing, but if it is isolated with no solid linkages to the northern shield territory, it will be devalued.
Bird Watching: Tufted Titmouse
Tufted Titmice are members of the Paridae family of birds and are close relatives of Chickadees. They look and act much like them, although they are a little larger, don’t have a black cap, but they do have a gray crest on their head. They have gray under parts and rusty coloured flanks. I knew I would recognize one when I saw it!