The Couchiching Conservancy welcomed members, partners, and community leaders to its 32nd Annual General Meeting on March 28 at Hawk Ridge Golf Club, featuring guest speaker Dr. Anabela Bonada from the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation and celebrating a year of conservation impact.
Over the past year, the Conservancy protected 289 acres of land, including the Eldridge Nature Reserve and the Blackwell Brady Clark Nature Reserve. These properties contribute to critical habitat protection, support species at risk, and strengthen important ecological connections across the region.
A key highlight of the meeting was the announcement of a matching gift campaign in support of the Lake Dalrymple Alvar acquisition. A collective $50,000 commitment from long-time supporters Doug & Barbara Christie, James K. Stewart and Brian Adams, along with the Ontario Conservation Accelerator including various funders such as The Schad Foundation, will match contributions made before April 30, doubling the impact of community support. With strong early fundraising momentum, the Conservancy is working toward its goal of permanently protecting this rare and ecologically significant landscape.
The Conservancy also shared an extended Strategic Plan, now guiding the organization through to 2027. The extension reflects both an upcoming leadership transition and the growing need to respond to climate-related challenges. The organization also recognized the contributions of outgoing Executive Director Dorthea Hangaard for her 15 years of service. A renewed focus on climate adaptation will help ensure the long-term resilience of protected lands and conservation efforts.
Despite a year marked by extreme weather, including an ice storm, wildfire smoke, and drought, the organization continued to make meaningful progress. Notably, 33% of field days were impacted by climate-related conditions, underscoring the increasing need for adaptive approaches to conservation work.
Attendees also heard from guest speaker Dr. Anabela Bonada, who highlighted how climate change is already impacting conservation work across the region, from flooding and ice storms to drought, extreme heat, and wildfire smoke. Her presentation connected these local impacts to practical, evidence-based climate adaptation strategies. She emphasized the importance of protecting natural infrastructure, such as wetlands and shorelines like the Lake Dalrymple Alvar, as one of the most effective ways to mitigate climate change at a local level. Attendees left with actionable steps to strengthen resilience and support conservation efforts in their own communities, supported by resources from the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation.
Click on the Fact Sheet Titles below to download.
Home Heat Protection. Home Flood Protection. Firesmart Home. Home Heat. Working With Nature At Home.
The meeting also celebrated the contributions of volunteers and supporters, including recognition of Nathalie Rockhill for her outstanding dedication to conservation. The Conservancy also acknowledged departing board members Janet Machan and Morris Ilyniak for their service, and welcomed newly elected board members Norm Sinclair and Si Lowry to the Board of Directors.
With more than 15,000 acres now protected, the Conservancy reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding natural spaces for future generations through community support, collaboration, and continued action.
Special thanks to Mariposa Market for generously donating cake for the occasion.
