Although summer is almost over, the work of volunteers with Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) continues into the fall — and the registered charity is looking for more volunteers as it continues to grow.
To protect important natural spaces in the Kawarthas, KLT accepts donations of land (or interests in land) to ensure they are cared for in perpetuity. The non-governmental organization is currently protecting 17 properties totalling 4,101 acres, and assists in the management of five additional properties.
Last year, more than 110 volunteers helped the organization carry out its mission to maintain protected lands in their natural state.
Listed below are some of the upcoming volunteer activities at KLT properties this fall — along with a few non-volunteer events to help you connect with nature.
If you aren’t able to volunteer, you can also help out KLT by participating in one of its upcoming public engagement sessions to help guide the future of the organization.
Public engagement sessions
With new executive director John Kintare at the helm, KTL’s board of directors is developing the organization’s new strategic plan and is hosting a series of in-person consultation sessions in September.
“We have engaged an external consultant to facilitate a series of public engagement sessions over the coming weeks,” says board chair John Desbiens in a letter to supporters. “They are committed to fostering open, honest, and meaningful discussions. We especially invite you to attend the session that is closest to where you live or visit most.”
The upcoming public engagement sessions are:
- Lakefield – Wednesday, September 18th from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Marshland Centre (64 Hague Blvd., Lakefield)
- North Kawartha – Wednesday, September 18th from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Wilson Park Community Centre (66 Northeys Bay Rd., Woodview)
- Lindsay – Thursday, September 19th from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the Kawartha Lakes Public Library (190 Kent St. W., Lindsay)
- Peterborough – Friday, September 20th from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Heritage Room at The Mount Community Centre (1545 Monaghan Rd., Peterborough)
- CANCELLED – Asphodel-Norwood – Tuesday, September 24th from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Westwood Public Library (350-302 Centre Ln., Hastings)
- Bobcaygeon – Wednesday, September 25th from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Bobcaygeon Municipal Service Centre (123 East St. S,, Bobcaygeon)
- Coboconk – Wednesday, September 25th from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at Coboconk Train Station (6699 Highway 35, Coboconk)
You can register for any of the above sessions as eventbrite.ca/o/kawartha-land-trust-11748358844.
There are two additional sessions being planned, for Bethany & Manvers and Buckhorn. Email Shivaan Burke at sburke@kawarthalandtrust.org to receive notification of booking once confirmed.
Land stewardship activities
Here are upcoming opportunities to volunteer with KLT. For more information and to register, visit kawarthalandtrust.org.
Restoration Site Prep & Soil Transfer – Thursday, September 19th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Help KLT staff in transferring and spreading soil onto the riparian zone of Horseshoe Pond. The event takes place beside Emily Lake between Lindsay and Bobcaygeon (email pwilson@kawarthalandtrust.org for the exact meeting location).
Prairie Seed Collecting – Saturday, October 5th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Help KLT staff pick the seeds of an endangered ecosystem to help in the future replanting of the grasses and wildflowers of our native prairies. This event takes place at the Ballyduff Trails on the McKim-Garsonnin Property (851 Ballyduff Rd., Pontypool).
Buckthorn Removal & Site Prep – Sunday, October 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Heop KLT staff remove invasive European Buckthorn from areas that KLT is working to restore and will be planting native species in later this fall. If you are a certified chainsaw operator, this will be an asset. The event takes place beside Emily Lake between Lindsay and Bobcaygeon (email pwilson@kawarthalandtrust.org for the exact meeting location).
Riparian Zone Planting – Saturday October 12th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Help KLT staff plant native riparian zone plants, shrubs, and trees to help stabilize a constructed pond and increase biodiversity. Volunteers will also help with planting along an agricultural field to reduce run off into the newly created pond. The event takes place beside Emily Lake between Lindsay and Bobcaygeon (email pwilson@kawarthalandtrust.org for the exact meeting location).
Battle of the Buckthorn – Saturday, October 12th and Friday, October 18th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In this two-day event, volunteers will remove the invasive European Buckthorn shrub from John Earle Chase Memorial Park.
Native Tree Transplanting – Sunday, October 22nd from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Help KLT staff transplant previously planted conifers to help provide more space for them to spread out and grow. Volunteers may also get the opportunity to assist in removing some invasive species. The event takes place beside Emily Lake between Lindsay and Bobcaygeon (email pwilson@kawarthalandtrust.org for the exact meeting location).
Island Pond Planting – Sunday, October 25th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Help KLT staff plant native trees and shrubs to help stabilize the banks of a constructed pond and to mitigate erosion. Planting native trees and shrubs will help to increase the biodiversity of the are and prevent invasive species from inhabiting the disturbed areas surrounding the pond. The event takes place beside Emily Lake between Lindsay and Bobcaygeon (email pwilson@kawarthalandtrust.org for the exact meeting location).
Nature connection events
If you’re not interested or unavailable to volunteer with KLT but still want to connect with nature, check out these upcoming public events. For more information and to register, visit kawarthalandtrust.org.
Fleetwood Hills Hike – Sunday, September 22nd from 2 to 4 p.m.
Fleetwood Creek is one of the most natural parts of our region. Join KLT and explore the hogsback trail with an expert naturalist to learn about the wildlife corridors and ecology of this special region.
The hike takes place at Hogsback in Omemee (the exact location will be provided once you register).
Pine Ridge Open Gate – Saturday, September 28th from 2 to 4 p.m.
Join KLT for an afternoon of adventure and take advantage of this unique opportunity to tour this property not normally open to the public. Pine Ridge is protected via conservation easement agreement, protecting the giant pre-settlement white pine and beautiful rolling hills on this private property.
The event takes place at Pine Ridge (Hartley), near Emily Provincial Park (the exact location will be provided once you register).
KLT’s annual “Thanks.giving” – Thursday, October 10th from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
Join KLT at South Pond Farms at 4:30 p.m. for an interpretive nature walk on the neighbouring KLT-protected Ballyduff Trails and stay for the social hour at 6 p.m., which includes light refreshments, remarks from KLT executive director John Kintare, and entertainment by musicians Mike Graham with Dennis Pendrith.
For more information about Kawartha Land Trust, including volunteering and donating, visit kawarthalandtrust.org.
This story was created in partnership with Kawartha Land Trust.
