As the summer season has progressed, so have the flora and fauna in the Couchiching region. As a new staff member to The Couchiching Conservancy, I’ve really been enjoying my role! I have a degree in Environmental Science from Fleming College in Lindsay, Ontario and have worked in the non-profit sector for almost three years. My passions include protecting land for future generations, hiking and doing chainsaw work.
Myself and the Stewardship team have been busy in the field with property visits, tackling invasive species, completing wildlife surveys and using our carpentry skills to fix structures where needed. During the past few months as the new Reserve Steward, the team and I have been completing mapping and removing invasive species such as phragmites, dog strangling vine and garlic mustard. To date we have removed close to 1000 lbs of invasive plant material from the Conservancy’s Reserves!
Beyond invasive species, we have taken to the trails to complete property visits, repair benches and bridges, and have removed hazardous vegetation on multiple nature reserves. I have also fallen in love with The Ron Reid Nature Reserve. We have been keeping the grass mowed to discourage ticks from joining walkers on their hikes and have installed the Rosebush Landing ladder for water enthusiasts. One of my bigger projects this summer has been the creation of The Deverell-Morton property sign and adding/replacing old signage of different properties in the Carden Alvar area. More recently, I have taken on removing parts of the beaver dam at Grants Wetland and have aided in ensuring the water levels are staying at a consistent level. The Grants Wetland neighborhood has many helpful residents that have been allowing us access to the wetland through their backyards.
My favourite thing I have done this field season is spending afternoons at our Cedar Grove Nature Reserve. I have been cutting the grass, organizing the shed and cutting up fallen trees alongside the summer staff. It is a magical place that warms my heart every time I walk among the big cedars that call the Nature Reserve home.
We have also had a few volunteer events this summer and a big thank you goes out to all those who joined us and have supported us along the way. Our invasive species removal events included phragmites, dog-strangling vine and garlic mustard. I have also been really impressed with the dedication of the folks that live near our Church Woods Nature Reserve. The community in that area has been pulling garlic mustard on the property for years and it really shows! It is always a pleasure to see volunteers of all ages out on the land, so I encourage you to sign up for our volunteer events! The Land Stewards, who are our eyes in the field, have been wonderful to work with too! I have found in the non-profit sector that people are so eager to help and lend a hand when needed. I am still working on scheduling visits with many of them and have appreciated all the knowledge they have shared with me so far.
Volunteer events are starting to ramp up, so keep an eye on our newsletter for updates! As we continue our work, it’s important to recognize that the ongoing support from our monthly donors, members, and supporters truly powers these activities and helps us care for the Nature Reserves. Your contributions make a real difference in our efforts to protect and preserve these natural spaces. Remember to stay hydrated this summer and stay connected with The Couchiching Conservancy through our newsletter or by making a donation.
Article by: Megan Greenwood, Reserve Steward.