Everywhere you look there are sparkly lights, holiday events and Christmas shoppers. I think Orillia must be one of the most generous communities around – one reason why I love living here.
Migrating Ducks are on the Move
It can really be an exciting time of the year, especially if you live by a lake as we do, for you never know from one day to the next, what species of bird will appear on the lake.
You and the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario
We are not the owners of this Earth, we are merely its guardians for a short time. That being said, the pace of world trade, manufacturing and consumption has grown exponentially in the past century.
Get Outside: Adventures After Dark
Throw your fear of the dark aside, and follow along with Julia Wolst, as she explains the benefits and fun that can be had at night.
The ins and outs of Conservation Easements
The Couchiching Conservancy land trust is involved with land protection in three ways: We own the land, we partner with other organizations (for example, Ontario Parks, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust) to acquire and manage the land, or we work with private landowners to protect their land using a conservation easement.
17% Pledge Aims to Protect Nature
As a part of a Global mission to secure Earth’s biodiversity, Canada has committed to having 17% of land and inland water protected by 2020. Because Canada has 10% of the world’s forest, 25% of the world’s wetlands, and 20% of the world’s fresh water, achieving this goal will be influential across local and global scales.
When the Going Gets Tough, the Naturalist Gets Going
Knowledgeable, passionate and ambitious are three champion terms that describe avid outdoor enthusiasts and naturalists. As a young naturalist who is continually developing new and existing skills, I have found that taking part in adventures and nature studies always pose tremendous learning opportunities. Approaching these with a positive attitude is key for personal development, but it is not always easy. Sometimes small bumps in the road can challenge you as you learn, but ultimately better you as an aspiring professional in the field of environmental conservation.
Washago blessed with the “smell of green”
That quality likely comes from the degree of forest cover we still enjoy. A 2012 report from Trees Ontario, called A Healthy Dose of Green: a prescription for a healthy population, underlines the value of that cover.
Exploring and learning on the alvar
Each year hundreds of people head to the Carden alvar in droves. They are drawn by the landscape and species, but also by two special events hosted by The Couchiching Conservancy featuring the alvar and taking place in late May and early June – Carden Challenge and Carden Alvar Nature Festival.
Volunteers recognized for outstanding contributions
A strong and dedicated group of volunteers brings a fresh perspective and a different sort of energy to the Couchiching Conservancy. Their contributions multiply the resources of the organization in so many ways: by increasing our capacity we can undertake new initiatives in conservation and preservation; our profile in the community is enhanced; our properties are maintained and protected for future generations and volunteers bring new insights and skills to the work we do.