Greetings! Within this e-newsletter, you will find information on: A new article by Executive Director Mark Bisset The opening and dedication of the newest Nature Reserve A Supporter Spotlight on Paul Middaugh, a volunteer and member Upcoming Passport to Nature events How volunteers help protect the alvar from the spread of invasive species How monitoring and recording Species at Risk help save on taxes! With thanks from The Couchiching Conservancy!

Protecting nature for future generations

The tale of two forests By Mark Bisset A group of Grade 6 students visited with us recently to explore two forests. One, the Grant's Woods Nature Reserve, and the other, a Simcoe County Forest Tract. Together we discussed the differences and commonalities between the two. One thing that came up was the dirt. After all, you can tell a lot about a place with a handful of the stuff. Read the new post on our website

American Lady and Candy-striped Leafhopper. Photos: Susan Blayney. Aphrodite Fritilliary. Photo: Ginny Moore.

Upcoming Passport to Nature Events: August: An Intro to the World of Moths with Candice Talbot in Carden on the 11th is open for registration. Learn more and register. Music in Grant's Woods on the 25th with AfterGlow. Learn more and register. September: Pollinators in Action! This event takes place at an Easement near Coldwater on the 8th. Learn more and register. Rock, Dirt, Glaciers & Grikes on the 16th with John Ford at Wolf Run Alvar in Carden. Learn more and register.

See the full schedule of Passport to Nature events

Download your Passport to Nature booklet

Thank you to our program sponsors and event sponsors who support this program and make it FREE for you to attend! Sojourn Outdoors Lynda Hepinstall of Century 21 , Orillia Home Hardware , Al Langman Construction , Dr. Kevin Vennard , LaFarge Canada , Meridian Credit Union Orillia , Brewery Bay Food Co and Rustica Pizza Vino

Supporter Spotlight: Paul Middaugh Every positive step helps. A statement and sentiment that Paul repeated a number of times while we chatted about local conservation efforts, why he is a member and volunteer, and the state of the environmental movement across the world.

Read more about how Paul contributes to local conservation efforts

Volunteer efforts making a difference Many eyes allow for the coverage of a lot of ground. And when that ground is about 4,000 acres in size, the more eyes the better! Such is the invasive plants program that occurs on the Carden Plain, especially within the boundaries of Carden Alvar Provincial Park. Volunteers are trained and deployed through the Couchiching Conservancy Land trust, and their discoveries are tabulated and mapped in their office to assist with field management.

Read on to learn how volunteers are helping map invasive species

One Way You Can Help This Month: It's a perfect time to get outdoors to explore the beautiful natural places in our region. Will you take a friend or family member to one of the Conservancy properties and talk about why you support local conservation efforts? If you do, let us know where you went!

Taxes, Taxes, Taxes! As with any other landowner in Ontario we are subject to certain taxes. However, these fees can be avoided on conservation lands with an application to the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program. Although these applications can leave our administrative assistant's head spinning, our new citizen science program is helping make the process much easier.

Read how monitoring Species at Risks helps save us on taxes

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

You can help The Couchiching Conservancy do more in the region to protect irreplaceable wilderness by making a donation today. A $25 donation helps protect one acre for a year!

Did you know, the Carden Alvar is designated as an Important Bird & Biodiversity Area? Plan your visit to the area here

Visited one of the Nature Reserves we help protect and take pictures? Make sure to tag us on social media!

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