The biggest fundraiser – and best 24 hours! – of the year are upon us! For 21 years, nature lovers and birders have been flocking to The Carden Alvar to see how many species, bird, bug or bush, they can count in 24 hours. This beloved weekend, culminating in a …
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 …
Unveiling of the Deverell-Morton Nature Reserve
On July 13, over 30 people gathered together to celebrate the unveiling of the Deverell-Morton Nature Reserve. At 417-acres, the property is connected to Wolf Run Alvar and North Bear Alvar making a stronger connected corridor of wilderness. We are so grateful to the Deverell-Morton families, our supporters and volunteers …
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. …
Rare 400-acre opportunity + a rare sighting
It was June 5, 2022 and I was testing my car along Alvar Road, listening for birds that I could add to my square for the Breeding Bird Atlas project. A distance along the road, I heard a Hermit Thrush singing very near the road. The Hermit Thrush song may …
Notes From the Field – Summer 2019
During a recent Salamander Monitoring visit to Church Woods with Kim Trudeau & family, they encountered two Eastern Red-backed Salamanders. This terrestrial species of salamander can live for up to 25 years and requires a damp environment to survive. This is because they need to breathe through their skin as they …
Notes from the Field – Summer 2019
Photo: Kim Trudeau
Participants raise $22,000+ for Carden Challenge
That’s a wrap on the 15th annual Carden Challenge. With 34 participants, these nine teams scoured the Carden alvar in search of as many species as possible in 24 hours. Participants battled the rain, hail and thunderstorms on Saturday but birds were singing, the reptiles were out and it was another enjoyable year …
The Spirit of Giving: Cameron Curran
Every year, hundreds of people donate to The Couchiching Conservancy to make protecting land in our region possible. Here we feature four people who who took fundraising into their own hands.
Notes From the Field – Fall 2017
Notes from volunteers and staff about our field observations, research, maintenance, and adventures stewarding Couchiching Conservancy properties.