A common misconception about road trips is that they need to cover long distances in far-away lands over an extended period of time. The truth is, you don’t have to travel across the world to experience new things, explore new landscapes, and have a great adventure. As part of The Couchiching …
Paddling the dark secrets of the Black River
Couchiching Conservancy’s Passport to Nature program offers ‘paddle party’ on this ‘incredible river’ that helps tell the history of the region. What better way to try out a new canoe route than be guided by a professional biologist and joined by a group of paddling adventurers? I always love the opportunity …
Summer 2022 Notes from the Field
Check in throughout the season to see what volunteers and staff have been up to! You never know who, or what, we’ll cross paths with… In summer we take to the meadows where Monarch caterpillars hunt for their only source of food: The Milkweed plant. The caterpillars will eventually cocoon and emerge …
Rosebush Landing comes to life
The dream of a canoe & kayak launch at Ron Reid Nature Reserve is now a reality. This 729 acre nature reserve is surrounded by QEII Wildlands Provincial Park, and has a 4 kilometre stretch of the Black River running through it. It’s an ideal destination for a paddle, yet …
Passport to Nature is here!
The Couchiching Conservancy is inviting you to get out, connect and protect nature through the popular Passport to Nature program. This year the conservancy is offering a hybrid program of in-person events, virtual seminars and downloadable activities. New for this year are the Family Fun Collection of downloadable activities, two …
In Praise of Small
If there was one Couchiching Conservancy trail that could be considered micro – it would be the Periwinkle trail. It is our shortest trail at a mere 0.15km, at the Grant’s Woods Nature Reserve on Division Road West in Severn. Grant’s Woods is the home of The Couchiching Conservancy’s office …
Notes from the Field: Summer 2021
Monarch Monitoring Begins: Canadian Conservation Corps Interns Ryan and Claire, along with staff member Aiesha – have spent numerous days mapping out milkweed habitats and setting up new monarch monitoring sites at two Conservancy Nature Reserves. The new protocols for this pilot project are currently being tested in the field …
Leave it to Nature: Lessons on Fall colours
If you’re anything like me you know the feeling of sheer excitement when the leaves begin to change colour in fall. As trees begin to brace for… dare I say, for those less excited, winter, our favourite natural spaces in Ontario transform into colourful works of art.
The T.C. Agnew Property: Grateful for Nature Reserves
It is hard to fathom protecting our favourite wild places all on our own. There is so much to know, so much money needed, so much expertise required. With The Couchiching Conservancy, protecting nature for future generations is possible.
Over 2,000 sign 17% Pledge to Protect Nature
In 2016, The Couchiching Conservancy undertook a project called the 17% Pledge. Thanks to a grant from the Gosling Foundation, Kelcey McLean and I were hired as this year’s Engagement Organizers.