77 MORE acres protected, forever.

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September 2022

Couchiching,

In this month’s newsletter we say so long, but not goodbye, to our friend and bookkeeper Kathy Connor who is retiring after over 20 years with the Conservancy.

Our most exciting news this month was the official opening of the Leida and Roman Marley Nature Reserve on the Black River, which I had the great pleasure of attending.

I left the Marley’s cottage with a belly full of traditional Estonian food and a warm heart. Not wanting the experience to end, some of us paddled up the Black River to Ragged Rapids, passing through Marley, Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park, and Ron Reid Nature Reserve – an almost continuous stretch of Canadian Shield wilderness that is now protected forever.

On the paddle back, all felt right with the world – a rare feeling in 2022.

We hope you enjoy these stories highlighting the best of humanity.

Dorthea Hangaard

Conserved Lands Manager

Leida & Roman Marley Nature Reserve Unveiling (Video)

Watch the unveiling of the Leida & Roman Nature Reserve

live on our YouTube channel!

On August 27, board members & staff joined the Marley family and friends in the Black River Wildlands to celebrate this 77-acre nature reserve!

Marley family & friends, alongside Conservancy staff & members of the Board (T. Rowland)

PLAY VIDEO

We're going to miss you Kathy!

There aren't enough ways to say thank you to Kathy. After more than 20 years with us, our bookkeeper Kathy Connor has retired.

Her knowledge and expertise has been critical to keeping things running smoothly, through membership renewals, Carden Challenge donations, paying bills and a myriad of other items.

You may have seen her at our Annual General Meeting, or talked to her on the phone. Her work on the financial side of things helped secure and protect more wilderness, connect with community members and do more for nature.

Beyond the work though is the connecting thread of a love of nature. Kathy and her husband John are now volunteering and monitoring water quality at the Scout Valley easement. Kathy, on behalf of all of us at the Conservancy and the many people you have touched through your time here – thank you.

Rediscovering My Own Backyard

Conservancy Ambassador, Cassie Pellerin, took our Wildlands Road Trip this summer in partnership with Orillia & Lake Country Tourism and challenged a common misconception - you don’t have to travel across the world to experience new things, explore new landscapes, and have a great adventure.

READ HER STORY

Musical Mystery Tour Recap

Timmy Kehoe, Mike Van Dyk, Taylor Perkins & Jimmy Johnston perform at Mill Creek in Scout Valley (B. Deck)

On Saturday, August 27 we surprised over 60 participants and raised more than $500 at our Musical Mystery Tour in Scout Valley. Thanks to our incredible volunteers Kathy Hunt, Susan Crowe, M Nowick and Jane Smith for helping to make the evening run smoothly.

And to local artists Myles Deck, Jimmy Johnston, Jenni Lawrence, Timmy Kehoe, Mike Van Dyk and Taylor Perkins, along with photographer Brittany Deck, who donated their time and talent to help create a magical one-of-a-kind event!

Share your adventures with us!

#WildWithCC

Up Next...

September 17 - Yoga & Reflection on The Land

October 1 - Painting in The Wildlands

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Office: 705-326-1620