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 …
From England to the Alvar: A first-timer’s perspective on the Carden Challenge
As a birding novice (and first-time visitor of Canada!), the 2024 Carden Challenge was a memorable introduction to species identification, and a unique opportunity to learn more about the region and its wildlife. The Carden Challenge is a birding event and fundraiser hosted by the Couchiching Conservancy, taking place on …
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 …