The 2025 Contest is now open for submissions! Please visit the contest page for all the details: https://www.muskokaconservancy.org/contests

Join our February Webinar! Title : Science Misinformation: The Climate Context Guest Speaker : Fiona Rawle Date : Tuesday, February 18th, 2025 Time : 10:00am-11:00am Description: This webinar will explore the current state of the science on climate change, putting it into a Canadian context. We’ll also discuss science mis/dis-information, looking specifically at the origins of science misinformation about climate change as well as tools we can use to identify trust-worthy information. Fiona’s Bio: Fiona is a professor at the University of Toronto and where she teaches intro biology, specifically focusing on science misinformation. She recently received the 3M National Teaching Fellowship. Here is a brief profile: https://magazine.utoronto.ca/people/faculty-staff/where-kindness-rules-fiona-rawle-compassionate-teaching/ To register for the webinar click here.

Join us for our February Nature Quest Wood Duck Box Date – Thursday, February 20th, 2025 Time – 2:00PM – 4:00PM (approx.) Where – Upjohn Nature Reserve, Bracebridge What – Are you pond-ering a reason to get outside this month? Join Conservation Coordinator, Amanda, at Muskoka Conservancy’s Upjohn Nature Reserve to head out on the duck ponds for a fun afternoon of Wood Duck Box cleaning and preparation! Take a turn cleaning out the boxes or spend some time looking at the feathers and materials left behind to identify which critters may have been using the boxes! What to bring – - Appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather, depending on conditions snowshoes might be required - Water and a snack - Allergy or other emergency medicine if needed - Binoculars or a camera are recommended To register for this Nature Quest, click here to access the form. (If you're having trouble with the sign up form, please email your details to info@muskokaconservancy.org)

Join us for our January Nature Quest Animal Tracks at Silver Doe Nature Reserve Date: Thursday January 30, 2025 Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00PM Where: Silver Doe Nature Reserve, Gravenhurst (Exact location and parking information will be provided with registration) Join Conservation Coordinator, Amanda, at Muskoka Conservancy’s Silver Doe Nature Reserve for an exploratory morning hike! We will spend some time looking for and identifying animal prints in the various habitats on the Nature Reserve! Plus take home a print out of “Key to Muskoka Mammals” and its counterpart, “Tracks and Trails Guide Chart”! ** Note** There are no official trails on the Silver Doe Nature Reserve and portions of the hike will include a bit of “bush-whacking” What to bring: Appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather – snowshoes may be appropriate Water and a snack Allergy or other emergency medicine if needed Binoculars or a camera are recommended Click here to sign up! (If you're having trouble with the sign up form, please email your details to info@muskokaconservancy.org)

Join our January Webinar! Date: Thursday January 16, 2025 Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Location: Zoom platform (link sent after registration) Description: This presentation will highlight the natural characteristics of Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park (QEII). With over 100 habitat types, including its renowned rock barrens and beaver fens, this park is home to a wide variety of interesting wildlife that’s worth talking about! Micaela’s Bio: Micaela has earned a Bachelor of Science for Environmental Biology, a certificate in Forest Management and a College diploma for Environmental Technician, Protection, and Compliance at Canadore College. Since graduation in 2021, Micaela has worked numerous environmental contracts, gaining invaluable experience. She recently worked as a Wildlife Technician Lead with the MNRF and in April 2024, began an acting position as the Park Biologist for the Balsam Lake Cluster. To register, email Franceska at info@muskokaconservancy.org or call 705-645-7393 x200. To view the recording please click here .

Muskoka Conservancy adds another 490-acres for nature conservation! Muskoka Conservancy is proud to announce that it has purchased two new properties—a 390-acre forest and wetland property bordering the Severn River Conservation Reserve west of Gravenhurst, and a 100-acre wetland property fronting on Cassidy Lake, west of Glen Orchard. These latest acquisitions lift the local land trust’s total protected area over the 5,000-acre threshold in its mission to advance nature conservation in Muskoka. “5,105-acres is an incredible milestone for Muskoka Conservancy,” said Scott Young, Executive Director. “I couldn’t be prouder of our people! From the day-to-day volunteers to our staff and our Board of Directors, from Joe Member to major funders, we could not achieve these things without excellent people.” Both properties are part of a broad wildlife corridor that extends from south Gravenhurst in a northwest direction toward Georgian Bay and beyond. The Cassidy Lake property borders Crown land on two sides and is located about midway between two Provincially Significant Wetlands. The larger property borders on the provincial Severn River Conservation Reserve, expanding this protected area. Both properties protect mature forests and extensive wetlands that are habitat for species at risk. “A big shout out to the Kenneth M Molson Foundation, MapleCross Fund, and family foundations like the Chisholm-Thomson Foundation,” said Young. “Without consistent funding partners who step up with larger gifts, none of this happens.” Muskoka Conservancy’s immediate priority is to get to know the land, its ecosystems, habitat types and species, and will develop a conservation plan that prioritizes nature conservation. “There will be opportunities in the future to visit these properties as part of our Nature Quest program of expert-guided hikes,” said Amanda Porter, Conservation Coordinator. “Whether these places are appropriate for footpaths open for public use, that will be determined through our process of conservation planning that will occur over the next year.” MC’s protected lands now total 5,105 acres, with almost 70,000 feet of natural shoreline, and 880 acres of wetlands. MC has 58 properties across Muskoka’s watersheds. “We are over the moon with joy that we were able to find the partners and resources to make this project a reality,” said Peter Love, Conservancy Board Chair.

Join our December Nature Quest! Date: Thursday December 19, 2024 Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm Location: Upjohn Nature Reserve (exact location and parking provided with registration) **Bring your Santa hat!** To register, email Franceska at info@muskokaconservancy.org

Join our December Webinar! Date: Tuesday December 17, 2024 Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Location: Zoom platform (link sent after registration) To register, email Franceska at info@muskokaconservancy.org Link to recording Additional Resources

Join our November Webinar! Date: Wednesday November 27, 2024 Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Location: Zoom platform (link sent after registration) To register, email Franceska at info@muskokaconservancy.org Link to recording.