Scots pine is a familiar sight across southern Ontario. It can be found in old plantations, along roadsides and in former agricultural areas, and for many years it was a popular Christmas tree. But Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris, is not native to Ontario. Today, it is considered an invasive plant …
Youth Use Technology to Help Wildlife Move Freely
What if you could help wildlife move safely across the landscape without leaving your couch? Through an innovative project on Zooniverse, local youth are helping The Couchiching Conservancy understand how fences affect wildlife movement – and providing information that could lead to real conservation action on the ground. Why Wildlife …
Field Notes: Monarch Monitoring
Throughout the Summer months, you might see Monarch Butterflies sunning themselves on warm sidewalks, spiralling through the air in courtship displays, or sipping nectar from flowers like Asters and Goldenrod. The sight of these vibrant butterflies has grown less common in recent years, however, as Monarch populations continue to decline …
Field Notes: Listening for Bats, Protecting Biodiversity
As the sun sets, bats begin their night shift — emerging silently to hunt insects and play a vital role in healthy ecosystems. In Ontario, these quiet mammals are key to controlling insect populations, supporting agriculture, and acting as indicators of environmental change. Yet seven out of the eight native bat …
Field Notes: Whitney Wetland Eco-passage Summer Updates
With the Summer in full swing, many reptiles are mating and nesting near lakes, rivers, and wetlands—which means that the roads adjacent to these areas are an even more perilous place than usual. When roads are built beside or bisecting natural areas, wildlife must either cross them, or risk remaining …
Field Notes: 2025 Carden Bird Blitz
It’s 6am on the Carden Alvar, and nearly sixty people have gathered in the early morning light, many with binoculars or cameras in hand. Some are groggy, others bright-eyed and eager—but we’re all excited to see what the day has in store. This is the Annual Carden Bird Blitz, when …
Field Notes: Reptile Monitoring
Reptiles, often elusive and misunderstood, play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of our landscapes. At The Couchiching Conservancy, our commitment to conservation extends to these fascinating creatures through dedicated reptile monitoring programs. These efforts not only help us understand species dynamics but also aid in protecting their …
Field Notes: Delayed Start To Invasive Species Pulls
The start of the Invasive Species field season has been full of interesting and new challenges. After the ice storm, the Stewardship team at The Couchiching Conservancy had to restructure their priorities and shift their focus towards safely opening nature reserves. The amount of debris and damage from the ice …
Field Notes: Two Weeks At Couchiching Conservancy
Hi! We’re Darian and Ellen, and we’re students in the Ecosystem Management Technician program at Fleming College. This month, we finished up our program with a two-week placement at Couchiching Conservancy. We started our placement right after the huge ice storm, so our initial itinerary changed to allow us …
Field Notes: Benthic Invertebrate Workshop
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 …