Greetings! The media and news can be heavy at times, and can make us feel as though we are taking a step back instead of a step forward. But, during times like these, it's important to remain hopeful and remind yourself that issues get smaller, when we tackle them together. Keep reading to learn about how our volunteers, supporters, and members like you are working together to create change at a local level, and how you too can help take a step forward towards change. If this email isn't displaying properly, View as Webpage please here.

Protecting nature for future generations

Volunteers Receive Freshwater Hero Award Volunteers Meagan Coughlin & Jamie Ross are veterans of the Conservancy's Water Quality Monitoring Program which began in 2015. Freshwater Future, a cross-border organization working to protect the Great Lakes, awarded The Couchiching Conservancy with the 2019 Freshwater Heroes award for their, “innovative and progressive approaches to land and water conservation and stewardship.” “Whether it’s collecting water samples from area creeks, listening for evening frog calls on a nature reserve, or attending community events as ambassadors, this army of dedicated environmentalists is critical to the work of the Conservancy,” wrote Freshwater Future in their spring newsletter. “We are honoured to accept this award on behalf of our citizen science volunteers”, said President of the Board, Jamie Ross. Read the full article here

Supporter Spotlight: Michael Drescher Advisory Council Member & Supporter Michael Drescher is Associate Professor in the School of Planning at the University of Waterloo. He holds an MSc from the University of Utrecht (Netherlands) and a PhD from the University of Wageningen (Netherlands). Trained in forest ecology and animal behaviour science, he now focuses much of his research on regional conservation planning and private land conservation. A native of Germany, he has spent many years in the Netherlands and South Africa before emigrating to Canada. Michael is concerned about the wise and sustainable use of natural resources, acknowledging the importance of economic, social and environmental dimensions. Michael has provided professional advice to various organizations including Carolinian Canada, the Hamilton Conservation Authority, the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, and the Smart Prosperity Institute.

Click here to learn more about the Advisory Council and their role with the Conservancy

Notes from the Field

Ava and Abbey took our Water Monitoring course June 26th

150 citizen science volunteers plus Conservancy staff are in the field, stewarding Conservancy Nature Reserves this summer. It's a lot to keep up with, but we've done our best to capture some of these stories for you.

Click here for our Summer Notes from the Field

Have Plans this July?

Volunteer and supporter, Noella, talking to the public about land conservation at Nuts for Nature

July is a busy month, filled with local events that bring community together. You can spread awareness of land conservation while enjoying these events, by volunteering at the Conservancy booth! Canada Day Celebration : Monday, July 1st Celebrate Canada Day with the Couchiching Conservancy at the Orillia waterfront. Let people know why land conservation is important for Canada and how they can help protect natural areas. Mariposa Folk Festival : Sunday, July 7th Volunteer at the Conservancy booth while enjoying various folk artists and the liveliness of the festival. Included at our table will be a fun nature photo booth that brings nature and music together. If you are interested in lending a hand for a couple of hours, please email Joelle at info@couchconservancy.ca or call 705-326-1620.

Event Calendar

You could help us win $10, 000 for conservation

For the month of June, every dollar donated on Canada Helps is an entry for The Couchiching Conservancy to win $10,000! Your support helps safeguard thousands of acres of wild spaces that support hundreds of species. Membership is also a great way to power local conservation efforts . For only $30 or $50 you play the important role of protecting natural areas in your region. Not only are you eligible to vote at our Annual General Meeting, but you become part of a community of like-minded people dedicated to making a difference at a local level.

Donate or become a member here

What Inspires You?

What inspires you to take action? Is it stories, leaders in the environment? We are constantly inspired by people who care about the environment and do something to protect it. Here are a couple of examples:

Greta Thunberg began striking for the climate every Friday to demand change for her future. As she began the strikes all alone, her powerful message inspired thousands of children around the world to take action and be a voice for the future. Nari is a grade 6 student at Shanty Bay Public School. Her love for Lake Simcoe has led her to take action to protect it, while encouraging others to do the same.

Click here to see why these two inspire us

Website: www.couchichingconserv.ca Phone: 705-326-1620 Mail: Box 704, Orillia, ON L3V 0X6 Office: 1485 Division Rd W, Orillia, ON L3V 6H2

Do you have a monthly subscription with Netflix or Amazon? Why not consider a monthly subscription that makes a difference? Click here to learn more.

Looking for a new area to explore? Check out Grant's Woods. Grant’s Woods is a 52 acres of old-growth upland forest. It's great for watching backyard birds, and for hiking along our network of 4 km looped trails has been developed, with connecting footbridges and interpretive stations. Our gazebo and office are wheelchair accessible and the Periwinkle trail is also accessible.

Learn more about Grant's Woods and the other Nature Reserves here

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