What do animal tracks, trail cameras and fencing have in common? A lot! This was the focus of our first Youth Program Workshop, which looked at barriers wildlife face on the landscape and what we can do to help. We kicked off the first 2024 event of the Angela Rehhorn …
Couchiching Conservancy Becomes a Certified Living Wage Employer
The Couchiching Conservancy has officially become certified as an Ontario Living Wage Employer! This means that all full-time staff earn at least a living wage – what is needed to cover the actual costs of living in the community. Living wage rates in Ontario vary by region and can be …
Exploring the Wonders of Wintergreens
The warm days of summer are highly valued by naturalists and outdoor enthusiasts in the Great Lakes Region – some perks include warm hiking days, peaceful canoe outings, observing Ontario’s vast selection of migratory birds, and for botanists, ample opportunity for plant-identification. After fall’s vibrant colors, the lack of plant …
Celebrating the Female of the Species
Through the years I have always taken time in the Villager to celebrate International Women’s Day, discussing my heroes abroad and locally. All women who make a difference in saving the planet, but, there is a large group I have left out until now, female wildlife. It is undeniable that …
Thank you – 2024 Annual General Meeting Recap
A big thank you to the over 200 people who attended our Annual General Meeting on Saturday! It was a wonderful day celebrating our newest acquisitions, our 30th anniversary, hearing from our guest speaker, and so much more! Re-cap:
Orillia Horticultural Society Donates Arboretum to The Couchiching Conservancy
The Orillia Horticultural Society has donated the Sid Pomeroy Arboretum on Division Road West to The Couchiching Conservancy. It will now be called, “Cedar Grove Nature Reserve”. The 7-acre property, located at 1422 Division Road West, connects to nearby Grant’s Woods Nature Reserve by a river flowing through both properties …
Passport to Nature 2023-24: Recap
The 9th year of Passport to Nature is in the books! This year we reached over 350 participants with a hybrid program of in-person events, virtual seminars and downloadable activities. Visit https://couchichingconserv.ca/passport-to-nature/ to learn more about how to get out – connect – protect. Below is a recap of this …
Winter Birds of the Couchiching Region
Both spring, and summer are enjoyable times of year for birding in the Couchiching area. From pine-oak barrens of Matchedash, and the shrublands of Carden Alvar, to moist maple forests around Awenda and Oro Moraine, the region provides a wide variety of habitat types, allowing birders to observe a large …
Celebrating 20 years of Grant’s Woods
The Couchiching Conservancy is thrilled to share that one of the community’s favourite nature reserves has been protected over 20 years. Thanks to donors, members, volunteers and staff, this 52-acre forest on Division Road West is a safe haven for species and also has four kilometres of trail available to …
This Saturday: Annual General Meeting!
Please save the date for our Annual General Meeting (AGM): Saturday, March 2nd from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm (doors open at 1:00pm). We will be holding our AGM in-person at Hawk Ridge Golf Club (1151 Hurlwood Ln, Severn). Come celebrate our 30th anniversary with us! The Annual General Meeting …