NEWS RELEASE
COUCHICHING CONSERVANCY
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In celebration of Earth Day this week, the Couchiching Conservancy is thrilled to announce the launch of the 10th annual Passport to Nature program.
The popular Passport to Nature program invites you to get out, connect and protect nature with free and low-cost events all year round.
Physical booklets will be available at Grant’s Woods Nature Reserve and at locations around the region in mid-May. The digital booklet and online event registration are now available here: couchichingconserv.ca/passport-to-nature.
The first in-person event is Discover Trails Day happening on Saturday, May 11. This is your opportunity to discover the Couchiching Conservancy’s nature reserves with trails. Connect with volunteer trail ambassadors at one of three locations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Grant’s Woods Nature Reserve, Cameron Ranch Nature Reserve, and the Orillia Fairgrounds Farmers’ Market. Pick up resources, do an activity and learn about what you could see along the trails. No registration needed for this event; just drop in.
Other new in-person events this year include Wildflower Photography, Pride in Nature, a Grassland Flora Walk, a Wheels & Wetlands cycling adventure, an Indigenous-led Hike & Sharing Circle, an Afternoon at the Movies, and a Full Moon Night Snowshoe. Returning events include a Paddle Party on the Black River, Painting in the Wildlands, and the Children’s Story Walk.
Looking to explore a new region but don’t know where to go? Your itinerary is planned for you with updated do-it-yourself road trips of two unique landscapes: the Carden Alvar and the Black River Wildlands.
A committee of volunteers and staff develop a new Passport to Nature program each year and, thanks to the outstanding and generous support of several sponsors, all activities are free or low cost to attend. Program sponsors include Raymond James (Executive Wealth Advisors), Cuisinart, Home Hardware Orillia, Lake Country Physiotherapy, the Vincent and Rehhorn family, Parklane Landscapes, Scott Inc. Design + Build, The Crank & Sprocket Bicycle Co., and Sojourn Outdoors. Event sponsors and partners can be found on our website.
The Couchiching Conservancy protects thousands of acres of wilderness in the region and manages over 23 kilometres of trails and footpaths. It is a charitable non-profit land trust supported by individuals like you — people who want to ensure that special natural places are safeguarded for the future.
There is no cost to visit the reserves but donations are gratefully accepted. All donations help the conservancy do even more for nature in our region.
To contact or find out more information about the Couchiching Conservancy, please visit www.couchichingconserv.ca or reach out to the engagement organizer, Madeleine, at [email protected].
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