Thank you to everyone who voted! Muskoka Conservancy is thrilled and honoured to receive the Environmental Sustainability Award at the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2025 edition! Happy to share the good times with Muskoka Conservancy Directors Bob Weekes, Laura Thomas, and Executive Director Scott Young. We are deeply moved by everyone who voted for our organization this year. And to the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce for a fantastic event!

Reptiles are rousing from their slumbers and beginning to roam the Muskoka landscape again. Join us for the Roaming Reptiles Webinar to learn more about reptile ecology and how to identify the turtles, snakes, and lizard of Muskoka!

Are you looking to enha nce your garden or yard this year with the best selection of native plant species? Than look no further than our 2025 Native Plant Sale!!! Quantities are limited so get your orders in soon! VISIT OUR STORE: https://www.muskokaconservancy.org/native-plant-sale/ All items are ordered for pick up on Saturday May 10, 2025 only, at one of three locations across Muskoka: Bracebridge, Huntsville or Gravenhurst . Payment in full is due at pick up and we can accept cash or credit cards ! If you have any questions, or need assistance with ordering please email us at info@muskokaconservancy.org .

Join our February Webinar! Title : Winter Tree ID Date : Thursday March 27th, 2025 Time : 10:00am-11:00am Description: Hey buds, want to learn how to identify the trees of Muskoka in their winter/early spring conditions? Join Conservation Coordinator, Amanda, to learn the tips and tricks for identifying trees by only their twigs, buds, and bark! Plus, you’ll get a copy of Muskoka Conservancy’s Key and Guide to Winter Tree ID! To access the webinar recording, visit our YouTube channel by following this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYcYpisyN9s For resources shared during the presentation, please find them here, available to download: https://www.muskokaconservancy.org/resources

Wow! What an honour! We've been nominated for the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce Environmental Sustainability Award! This nomination is a testament to the power of community collaboration and partners who share our vision of Muskoka's natural spaces protected forever! Let's celebrate this nomination - cast your vote now and shine a light on the impact we've made together!

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 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 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