Have you ever thought about what a baby mosquito looks like or where a young dragonfly spends its days? For many insects, their story begins underwater. Eggs laid in or near the water hatch, and the larval insect is born into their new watery reality. They find a home amongst …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Field Notes – Monarch Monitoring
With the return of the monarch butterfly, begins the start of the monarch monitoring season for the Couchiching Conservancy community science program. Monarchs are Endangered in Canada1 , and face various threats across their range including habitat loss, pollution (herbicides and insecticides), extreme weather, and disease 2. Our monarch monitoring …
Release the Wild – Youth in Action
Youth in our region are acting to help species like White-tailed Deer, Moose, and Black Bear by participating in hands-on conservation projects! On June 1st, 2024, the Angela Rehhorn Commemorative Project hosted an impactful workshop focused on removing fences that obstruct wildlife corridors. This initiative not only aimed at enhancing …
Field Notes – Reptile Surveys
My first expedition with The Couchiching Conservancy is one I will remember for a long time. I joined Conservation Biologist, Toby Rowland, Youth Stewardship Coordinator, Alysha Henry, and community science volunteers Morah Fenning and Paul Robinson for reptile surveys. Our goal was to observe as many species as possible while …
Field Notes – Amphibian Migration
Perhaps nothing symbolizes the end of winter like the return of the amphibians. Amphibians such as Jefferson-blue spotted salamanders, toads, and wood frogs emerge from winter hibernation, typically on the first warm/rainy/wet nights early spring, after the ground has thawed. They make their way into wetlands where they will mate …
Field Notes – Solar Eclipse & Wildlife Behaviour
People across the world prepared for and celebrated the solar eclipse on April 8, but what were wildlife doing? How did their behaviour change during this rare occurance? That was the question that spurred on a few of our staff to venture out on the solar eclipse day to get …
Field Notes – Using Data Loggers for Species Monitoring
In the expansive landscapes of our region, nature whispers its secrets…but who is there to hear their calls? A key aspect of monitoring for species at risk are inventories. Some are conducted by staff, and there is also on-going monitoring by trained Community Science volunteers. But what about the times …
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