Greetings! We are eager for spring! We are ready for Spring Beauty, Fiddleheads, Trilliums and more. In this e-newsletter we are sharing a re-cap of our Annual General Meeting, information on our Advisory Council, news about Angela Rehhorn, upcoming events and activities, and more. Thanks for all you do for a healthy, vibrant environment! If this email isn't displaying properly, please View as a Webpage here.

Protecting nature for future generations

Community steps up for land conservation Our sincere thanks to the 220+ people who attended the Annual General Meeting. There was a special energy in the room as we reviewed 2018 efforts to protect the irreplaceable and valuable wilderness in the region. We all came away with renewed energy and the reminder of what a special community we have. We have pulled together a full re-cap of topics discussed at the Meeting. Pictured: Doug Christie, Jamie Ross, Margaret Pomeroy and David Homer.

Visit our website for a full re-cap

Advisory Council The Council was formed in 2016 to help achieve multiple goals. These include engaging experts in birds, plants, and other fauna and flora on the Conservancy’s behalf, boosting the Conservancy’s profile in the GTA, and helping further expand our profile in the region. Other important objectives are to help increase the Conservancy’s fundraising outreach and results with foundations and individuals, and undertake selected research as appropriate to assist Conservancy initiatives. Impacts Remarks and presentations at events in Toronto in 2017 and 2018 by Jean Iron, Ellen Larsen and Dale Leadbeater Passport to Nature events lead by Jean Iron and Dale Leadbeater Collaborating with Michael Drescher and OLTA partners on the Climate Action Working Group Fundraising Instrumental in raising over $200,000 from three foundations since 2016 Including $150,000 for the Black River Wildlands acquisition, now named the Ron Reid Nature Reserve Matching campaign funding in 2016 and 2018 Direct Funding Support      Members contributed close to $40,000 in total in 2017 and 2018 (includes donations for the acquisition of the Ron Reid Nature Reserve) New members in 2018: Doug Varty and Michael Drescher

Read more about the Advisory Council

Supporter Spotlight: Jean Iron Advisory Council Member & Supporter Jean lives in Toronto. She was president of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) from 1995 to 2004 and editor of OFO News for 14 years. Jean received the Distinguished Ornithologist Award in 2016, and the Toronto Ornithological Club granted her Honorary Life Membership. She represented OFO on a team with The Nature Conservancy of Canada and The Couchiching Conservancy to purchase the Cameron and Windmill Ranches, leading to the establishment of Carden Alvar Provincial Park. A retired school principal, Jean now volunteers for Canadian Wildlife Service doing shorebird surveys on James Bay, and works as a guide for Quest Nature Tours. Jean will be speaking at the Orillia Naturalists Club meeting on April 3rd on James Bay Shorebirds. Learn more about this event here .

Read more about Angela here

In memory of Angela Rehhorn Our hearts are heavy with the devastating news that Angela Rehhorn was on board the Ethiopian Airlines Flight which crashed on Sunday March 10th leaving no survivors.  Angela was working with us to establish a citizen science bat monitoring program as a service project of the Canadian Conservation Corps (through the Canadian Wildlife Federation). In this third phase of the Conservation Corps program, youth take on projects in their home community that will have a lasting and positive impact on the environment.

Upcoming Events & Activities Volunteer Ambassador Training on April 7 & 17 at Grant's Woods, Orillia. A special team of trained volunteer Ambassadors attend community functions such as fairs and festivals with display booths to promote the Conservancy and the work we do together. This is a great opportunity to get involved in the community, meet new people and help the Conservancy to spread the word about land conservation. Ambassador Earth Day Clean-Up on April 22 at Wilson Point Wetland, Orillia. This wetland deserves a clean slate for 2019, so lets all pitch in!  Carden Challenge on May 24 - 25. We are back for the 15th annual Challenge! Join or form a team of four and head out on the alvar in search of as many species as possible in 24 hours. This is our most important fundraiser of the year! We are very pleased to have Justin Peter join us as celebrity birder.

Visit our Events Calendar for details on these events and others

Website: www.couchichingconserv.ca Phone: 705-326-1620 Mail: Box 704, Orillia, ON L3V 6K7 Office: 1485 Division Rd W, Orillia, ON L3V 6H2

Thanks to the 25 people who signed up as monthly supporters! You helped us with the $5,000 challenge gift. Did you know you can include your membership with your monthly gift? Click here to learn more.

Posting photos of the Nature Reserves and region we work in? We would love to see them! Connect with us on your favourite social media account. Thanks for tagging us on Instagram @ccurranphoto! Cam took this photo of Otters on Lake Dalrymple.

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