Greetings!
This e-newsletter is jammed full with news about how you can help create corridors of protected wilderness, participate in a cycling event along the Carden Alvar, updates on Cedarhurst, and more.
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Protecting nature for future generations
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Help Build the Black River Corridor
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North American Beaver. Photo: Toby Rowland
We have launched a major, multi-year campaign to protect one of the most important wild places in the region and we need your help.
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We first began talking publicly about the Black River Wildlands when we successfully campaigned to protect a 730-acre tract with more than 4 kilometres of river running through it. We named that property The Ron Reid Nature Reserve to honour the lifetime conservation achievements of The Couchiching Conservancy’s first president and executive director. But the Black River Wildlands are so much more than a single property. The Heather and Alec Adams Nature Reserve and Alexander Hope Smith Nature Reserves 1 and 2 all fall into the zone. But with the creation of a new natural heritage analysis in 2018, the Black River Wildlands stood out. Teeming with wildlife and containing the right mix of crown land, park land and potential conservation land to facilitate a natural corridor, it has been identified as one of the prime areas of focus for The Couchiching Conservancy over the next 5-10 years.
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This Acquisition and Stewardship Campaign will run over a number of years. We have two parcels in Stage One to focus on, and there are other parcels identified for potential protection in the future.
An estimated $1.2 million is needed over the course of the campaign, which could protect a land base worth an estimated $4.5 million. We currently have two parcels going through the Acquisition process, and work is underway to acquire additional land in the Black River Wildlands region. Your donation to the campaign helps to power this work.
We are sharing specific details on each property, including the costs associated with protecting it, but there is a bigger picture. A larger connected corridor to work on. When you donate, please keep in mind a landscape of connected wilderness, laced with clean lakes, lush wetlands teeming with life. Together, we are a powerful community for good – for green – for blue – and all colours, all species in between. That is what we are working towards with your help.
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The goal of TheBluMoose cycling events are to raise charitable funds in memory of Danya Leemhuis. He had a strong love for Carden, and would insist on stopping there on the way to his family cottage. 100% of the Ride Registration Fee will go directly to charity - The Golden & District Hospital, British Columbia and The Couchiching Conservancy, Ontario.
From the Pavilion in Couchiching Beach Park, Orillia, riders can choose the 75km or the 150km routes. Both routes travel east along the beautiful and quiet tarmac and gravel roads of this area. Sections of the rides will encompass the extraordinary Carden Alvar. The Carden Alvar is a rare and unique ecosystem, its grasslands, wetlands and woodlands hosting over 230 bird species, 140 butterfly/dragonfly species and 450 plants. A portion of the Alvar gained Provincial Park status in 2014 to protect and preserve its spectacular environment.100% of the Ride Registration Fee will go directly to charity - The Golden & District Hospital, British Columbia and The Couchiching Conservancy, Ontario.
Volunteers Needed:
We are looking for a couple of volunteers who would be interested in helping out at the water station located at the Carden Recreation Center from approx. 10:30am-1:00pm. If you live near the Carden Recreation Center and/or are interested in lending a hand, please email Joelle at
info@couchconservancy.ca.
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Supporter Spotlight: Robert Vella and Katie Paveley
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The wilderness in the region is special to Katie and Robert. They visit many Conservancy properties to listen for birds, marvel at the trees and take time with the people they love. They were engaged at one of the Nature Reserves and will have a small ceremony at a property as well.
“One snowy January afternoon, we drove out for a hike in Alexander Hope Smith during what turned out to be a blizzard. The forest was completely covered in beautiful fresh snow and it looked like a wintery wonderland. We hiked in and stopped by the frozen water outlook where Robert proposed! He couldn’t have picked a more special and magical place. We’re looking forward to saying our vows in front of our immediate family under the cathedral of pines, maples, and oaks in Grant’s Woods.”
“We both appreciate that the Conservancy works so hard to protect the land for people like us, those who will come after, and the non-human living beings with whom we share this world.”
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Update on Cedarhurst & How to Stay Informed
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Prairie Smoke Alvar overlooking Cedarhurst. Photo: Meagan Coughlin
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In June 2018, we shared news about a proposed large-scale shooting range in the heart of the alvar by a company called Premier Shooting Centre. This development, which was to be located on the Cedarhurst property on the west side of Wylie Road just north of Cameron Ranch, would include a series of rifle ranges up to 1 km long, skeet ranges, handgun ranges, a multi-story simulation centre for commando-type raids, a 4000 sq.ft. clubhouse, campgrounds, etc. At the time, we estimated that building it would require the importation of at least 5000 truckloads of fill to create massive berms, and the upgrading of the western section of Alvar Road and the northern 2 km of Wylie Road to full municipal standards for year-round use.
On-line material about this original proposal has since been taken down. There are new proponents who now own the property. There are indications they intend to develop some sort of shooting range on the site, but we don't have any published details about the new proposal.
To date, no applications have been made to the City of Kawartha Lakes for such a project on the property. We created a separate mailing list to keep people informed of this development. We only email when there is something to say. To join that list, please click the link below or email Tanya Clark (
tanya@couchconservancy.ca).
This development is obviously incredibly alarming. It would fundamentally undermine the conservation efforts of this Important Bird & Biodiversity Area and impact many nesting species.
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Committee Members Needed for Spring Walk-a-thon
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We are planning a walk-a-thon for Spring 2020 and we need your help! By joining this committee you will have the important role of helping to develop, organize, and implement the event. The committee will meet monthly, starting October 2nd. If you are interested in joining the walk-a-thon committee or would like more information please email Joelle at info@couchconservancy.ca by
Friday, September 13th.
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Phone: 705-326-1620
Mail: Box 704, Orillia, ON L3V 0X6
Office: 1485 Division Rd W, Orillia, ON L3V 6H2
Charitable Registration #: 13972 5030 RR0001
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