Spring is a time of renewal – and a powerful reminder that nature needs us, too. As forests green up, birds return, and trails come alive again, there are so many ways to reconnect with the land and make a real difference right here in our region.
At The Couchiching Conservancy, we believe that protecting nature starts with people. Whether you have an hour to spare, a passion for wildlife, or simply a desire to give back, your involvement matters. This season, we’re inviting you to step outside, get your hands a little dirty, and be part of something bigger.
Explore the opportunities below and find your way to take action for the places you love!
Matching gift challenge to help protect the 430-acre Lake Dalrymple Alvar property with 1.9km of shoreline. 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 gifts made, up to $50,000 until April 30!
Don’t miss our Birds, Beer and Bingo event on Tues, April 21 at Brewery Bay. Join us for a fun and friendly evening of learning bird calls—perfect for beginners! We’ll start with a 1-hour tutorial covering common (and a few trickier) calls, plus tips for remembering them. Then we’ll play a few rounds of Bird Call Bingo.
Includes a locally brewed beer from Brewery Bay. Register here.
Our Passport to Nature program has now launched, with the first event taking place on Wed, April 22. In partnership with Sustainable Orillia and Lakehead University, we will be showing the documentary, Saving the Night Caller. Register here.
Are you available to volunteer? We are holding a number of garlic mustard pulls at:
- Carthew Bay Nature Reserve: May 5, 6, 7, 20, 21, 22 (all 10am – 12pm)
- Cedar Grove Nature Reserve: May 12 (10am – 12pm)
- Wilson Point Wetland: May 19 (10am – 12pm)
Email Meg Greenwood to help out mgreenwood @couchconservancy.ca (please remove the space)
As more birds return to our area, now comes the challenge of remembering all of their songs! We worked with two volunteers, Cameron Curran and Matthew Palarchio, to develop an Intro to Birding Guide. You can download this 16 page guide to discover the joy of birdwatching, with:
- Practical tips
- Recommended equipment
- Habitat-specific species
- Apps and resources
- Birding ethics
- Simple strategies for identifying birds by sight and song
After you’ve learned your birds, take that knowledge and put it into action during the Birding 101 event on May 23, with Ontario Nature’s Executive Director Andrés Jiménez Monge, along with Joseph Pitawanakwat and Junaid Shahzad Khan, for a guided hike to explore the Alvar’s unique grassland birds, or join the full 24 hour birding and biodiversity challenge on May 22-23, the Carden Challenge. Last year, teams counted 177 species!
Are you 15 – 30 years of age? We are looking for youth to get outside, get hands on and make an impact. Our Youth Workshops offer a chance to step into the real world of conservation. Together we set up trail cameras, track wildlife and dive into actual footage to identify species. We are holding workshops on May 2 and June 13. Learn more here.
The renovation at The Couchiching Conservancy is now complete, and the trails at Grant’s Woods Nature Reserve are open again. We look forward to seeing you! See all nature reserves with trails and footpaths here.
As you can see, there are many events happening. This is just a snapshot of what’s happening this spring- be sure to visit our events calendar and sign up for our newsletter to discover even more ways to get involved.