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 …
Fabulous Fall Fungi
As fall settles across Orillia and the vibrant leaves catch our attention, fungi quietly emerge in the forests of Grant’s Woods Nature Reserve. These fascinating organisms, more commonly known as mushrooms or toadstools, thrive in the cooler, damper conditions of autumn. Fungi are neither plants nor animals—though they are often …
Unveiling of the Cedar Grove Nature Reserve
The Cedar Grove Nature Reserve is a remarkable property with a rich history and a bright future in conservation. Acquired through the dedicated efforts of the Conservancy, this land holds deep significance not only for its environmental value but also for the community connections it represents. Long before the Conservancy …
The Couchiching Conservancy furthers land protection efforts near Hillsdale thanks to donors
The Couchiching Conservancy has increased land protection thanks to two donors, Sandy Agnew and Lynne Melnyk. The 39.5-acre property, 9km north of Hillsdale, was originally protected under an easement agreement in 2004 and has now been donated outright to the Conservancy. An easement is a legal entity that allows land …
Embracing Ecological Land Classification for Conservation: The Couchiching Conservancy’s Approach
With a mission to protect the natural landscapes and wildlife habitats within the region, we employ various strategies to ensure the sustainability and health of these ecosystems. One pivotal method in our conservation toolkit is the use of Ecological Land Classification (ELC). Understanding Ecological Land Classification Ecological Land Classification is …
Summer Warblers: Part Two
Let’s dive into some of the top birding spots in the Great Lakes region, where you can experience the peak of warbler migration and discover some of the most renowned locations for birdwatching. We’ll also discuss the remaining warblers in the Setophaga genus that weren’t covered in the previous article. …
Field Notes: Community Effort to Combat Invasive Species- Join Us!
How do we take care of the land we love? One critical action is invasive species removal to ensure species like Monarch Butterflies have suitable habitat to thrive and survive. Over the past two months, our staff and volunteers have come together to remove over 1,000 lbs. It’s absolutely inspiring …
Summer Warblers: Part One
In the Great Lakes Region of North America, wood-warblers, Parulidae, are one of the most diverse groups of birds with over 40 species. There is a warbler for every habitat type, and of almost every colour pattern – although I haven’t seen any purple warblers! Considering the beautiful and striking …
Field Notes: Megan’s Stewardship Update on Our Nature Reserves
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 …
Selling Conservation
As a millennial my 1990’s childhood was the target of the most sophisticated and prolific marketing aimed at children in history to that point. My generation has an inherent understanding of marketing and sales, we could point out product placement by the time we were 8 and we can automatically …