There is something hopeful about this time of year. Rising temperatures, feeling the sun warm your face, not having to wear a huge winter jacket - things are looking up. With the end of winter, we're thinking of spring and summer already. Especially since registration for the Carden Alvar Nature Festival is now open! That's why we've used an image of the Carden Alvar, taken during last year's Festival as our cover image.

In this e-news you'll find information on the Festival, a very special new video of a Barred Owl taken at Grant's Woods, a Save the Date for the first Passport to Nature event, news about new projects we are doing in Ramara and some recent news articles. Enjoy!

Registration is now open!
Nine years ago, the Carden Alvar Nature Festival began as a way to promote the special habitat and landscape just east of Orillia. Created by a small group of people who love the #CardenAlvar, the Festival Committee ensures that the Festival is fun, educational & interesting for all that attend.

Take advantage of early bird pricing by May 3.
 
"Very interesting & informative, approachable staff, well organized.
Loved being able to ask lots of questions and get detailed answers."
2014 Festival participant

VIDEO: BARRED OWL

We've been fortunate to have a Barred Owl visit Grant's Woods a number of times over the past month. It has now moved on, but we caught some video while it was here, and even some footage of it catching lunch! Take a look on our YouTube channel.

Did you know...
  • Barred Owls don't migrate, and they don't even move around very much. Of 158 birds that were banded and then found later, none had moved farther than 6 miles away.
  • The oldest Barred Owl on record was at least 24 years old.

More info on All About Birds   

60 people, mainly Ramara landowners, attended our event on Feb. 24th the Udney Community Centre.
SETTING OUR SIGHTS
ON RAMARA

Ramara is rich in both wetlands and farmlands; two land features the Couchiching Conservancy has placed a priority on preserving. That's why we're stepping up efforts to increase our presence in the area through landowner stewardship projects and new partnerships.

PASSPORT EVENT
Spring Fling at Scout Valley

Last month we told you about the Passport to Nature, our brand new fundraising and outreach initiative. The Passport is a series of events at some of the properties that we help to protect. We will be launching the full program in April.

SAVE THE DATE: Spring Fling at Scout Valley
Sunday, April 26: 1pm - 5pm

 

Watch a sneak peek of the Passport on our YouTube channel. 

(please note that a few dates and times have shifted slightly) 

IN THE NEWS

Work continues on a number of projects, initiatives and land acquisition. Here are a few of the articles that have been featured recently in the Orillia Packet & Times:

Our Executive Director Mark Bisset will now also be writing an article in The Villager. Here are his first two articles:


Wishing you all the best as we move into the Spring months!