In 2018, Evelyn Frantzke & Robert Williamson had an encounter at The Orillia Fall Fair that changed their lives.
The Couchiching Conservancy had a table set up and they went over. They’d recently bought a home with land in Oro Medonte and wanted to know about the area. They quickly signed up for The Conservancy’s Community Science workshops to learn about frog calls, bat monitoring and salamander habitat.
This program has created some of their most cherished memories.
After the workshops, they started monitoring bats at their property and Toby, The Conservancy’s Biologist, joined. One night at dusk, they started hiking – first to their installed bat box. It was empty. Toby suggested hiking to a wetland and at its edge there were suddenly dozens of bats. Using The Conservancy’s equipment, they learned there were actually five species flying above. They hadn’t believed there were any bats present.
However, her favourite memory of the property occurred as they got to the edge of the old farm field. A full moon framed hundreds of fireflies, darting through the silhouettes of meadow grasses. Open and quick to laugh, Evelyn said to Toby, “Now you go home and tell your partner you just gave me the best night of my life!”
During another Biologist visit, Evelyn proudly showed off her favourite land features and each time the Biologist said, “Hmmmm.”
She showed him the gentle creek.
“Hmmmm.”
She showed him the pond full of turtles.
“Hmmmm.”
She showed him the peaceful Cedar forest.
“Hmmmm.”
She doesn’t mind admitting she was a little irked. But then, he brightened, “Ooooh! You have a swamp!”
He splashed right in and she couldn’t help but follow him in her rubber boots and cargo pants.
“‘Look at these hummocks!” He exclaimed.
A hummock, Evelyn now knows, is a grassy knoll above a wetland. It’s excellent salamander habitat. As she tried to follow him, her boot squelched, held her and this 61 year old fell into the swamp, bum first!
She laughs now, saying, “I was fine. Squishy but fine.”
“With all the beautiful flowers, ponds and forests,” she asked, “Why are you so excited about a swamp?”
“Because those were man made. This is natural!” He explained, his eyes lighting up.
The couple learned to install wooden boards so they could count if salamanders were present.
Year one. Nothing.
Year two. Nada.
But year three, by the trunk of an old fallen Cedar, Evelyn noticed a pool of salamander eggs. She too was getting excited about the swamp.
Discovering the plants and animals on their land made Evelyn & Robert want to conserve it. Their property is now a 44 acre easement; a legal entity that prevents development, ensuring the land is protected but still allowing them to sell later if needed. Originally attracted by its visible beauty, Evelyn is now fascinated by its role in the ecosystem. She says protecting it is one of the most important things in her life. It gives her purpose. And now, she says, “When I go for walks, the swamp is my favourite place to go.”
The Orillia Fall Fair is the weekend of October 18th. If you see The Couchiching Conservancy’s table, please say hello. You never know where a question might lead.