In a significant conservation milestone for the Washago area, the Couchiching Conservancy announced today the protection of 85-acres adjoining Alexander Hope Smith Nature Reserve. The property was donated by Leslie and Irene Bruce who have strong ties to the area, and is named in honour of their late son Mitchell …
What happens when a tree falls in the woods?
Visitors to Grant’s Woods Nature Reserve this fall may have noticed increased maintenance activities on the trails. In September, what is technically referred to in the business as a “really huge monster red oak” fell on the Hemlock Trail and took out two sizeable sugar maples on its way down …
Nature Counts Highlights
Our thanks to everyone who attended our in person Nature Counts summary, and to all volunteers who contributed to efforts in 2023 to protect nature in our region. Community Science Highlights:
Amongst the Trees
As we set off on our adventure to the Adams Nature Reserve, the air was crisp with the first hints of autumn’s arrival. The afternoon sun cast a golden glow down on the changing leaves, painting the forest in a palette of fiery reds, golden yellows, and rustic oranges. The …
An early holiday gift for you!
When someone decides to donate their land to The Couchiching Conservancy, it is often after years of getting to know us and building a trusting relationship. The news arrives as a wonderful surprise and cheers erupt through the office as word spreads. There can be no better day for a land trust. …
Fantastic Fungi Foraging with Photography
September 10, 2023- Fantastic Fungi Foraging with Photography! On September 10th, we were joined by naturalist and community scientist David Cowl for our Passport to Nature: Foraging Fungi Photos event. We embarked on a mushroom hunt through Grant’s Woods Nature Reserve to identify a diverse range of fungi on the …
30 years of protecting nature
November 4th is an important date in our calendar. It is the date that The Couchiching Conservancy was originally incorporated, making this November 4th our 30th anniversary! It is hard to summarize everything that has happened over that time. We were formed by a small group of people who were …
Thank you – $13,000 raised for Angela Rehhorn Community Science Fund
Thank you! Over $13,000 raised for the Angela Rehhorn Community Science Fund thanks to Roland Rehhorn and Joan Vincent, Brewery Bay Food Co, silent auction donors and winners, and everyone who came out for a Night out for Nature! The Angela Rehhorn Community Science Fund helps power our Community …
169-hectares protected in perpetuity : Deverell-Morton Nature Reserve protected
Couchiching Conservancy adds 55th protected property SEPTEMBER 20, 2023, ORILLIA, ONTARIO – The Couchiching Conservancy is overjoyed to announce the protection of the Deverell-Morton Nature Reserve. This 169-hectare (417-acre) parcel is in Carden Township, 35km east of Orillia. The property has been in the Deverell family since the mid 1800’s. …
Where Art Meets Nature: Art Trees of Oro-Medonte
I have always lived around trees. In the mountains of Colorado and Southern British Columbia they were something I took for granted. Now living here in the beautiful forests of deciduous hardwoods, I find myself appreciating them in a new way. Recently I took a drive through Craighurst and visited …