Humbleness has never been my strong suit.
But you see, sometimes bragging is for the greater good. Take for example the Couchiching Conservancy. Starting with a few like-minded people sitting around a kitchen table, back in 1993, dreaming about a better way to protect local ecology.
Nearly 50 local birdwatchers topped off the busy month of May by participating in the 12th annual Carden Challenge, an event that combines skills, tenacity, and friendly competition for a good cause. The combined efforts of eleven participating teams raised over $23,000 in pledges and donations for the Carden Alvar programs of the Couchiching Conservancy.
Grant’s Woods is one of 44 properties that The Couchiching Conservancy helps to protect. It was donated by Bill Grant, who had the simple desire to protect the forest that he and his family loved.
Brown thrashers got their name from the thrashing sound they make as they forage for food in dried leaves and other vegetation on the ground. Where the “brown” came from is beyond me, because, in fact, they possess beautiful rufous- or rusty-coloured feathers on their back, wings and long tail.
RBC Bluewater and the Couchiching Conservancy are teaming up for a second year to monitor the water quality of critical streams and rivers in our region. There will be a kick-off event on June 2nd, which is RBC’s Clean Water Day nation-wide. Local RBC staff will join the Conservancy at Grant Wetland on Bay Street to watch our Water Team in action, learn how to test water themselves, and understand wetlands and watersheds.
Brown-headed Cowbirds are birds of the Western Prairies. They acquired their name from following herds of bison, feeding on the insects stirred up as the animals grazed the grasses. As the forests of Eastern Canada were cleared to provide agricultural farm lands, the cowbirds began to expand eastward, and their range now extends across Ontario.
A note on the Passport to Nature events
An update on the Carden Alvar Nature Festival
Spring has arrived in our area, and we are busy planning garlic mustard pulling dates, coordinating volunteers, getting out in the community and more.
There are always things we as individuals can do to have a massive impact on the environment and ecosystems here at home. And I mean at home, I mean; in your yard.
