There are many ways you can help our Land Trust take action, protect nature, and make a difference! Click below on each button for more information.
Blitzing the Moraine: Explore, Get Dirty, Have Fun!
What is Blitzing the Moraine?
Have you ever wondered what beautiful bird is behind the chirps and peeps you hear as you walk along the river? Participating in a BioBlitz is your chance to participate in Citizen Science, learn more about the nature that surround us, and to take action to help monitor the health of the Oak Ridges Moraine!
The beautiful thing about ‘citizen science’ projects such as Blitzing the Moraine, is that they are open to everyone, no matter how much or how little you know about nature. If you want to learn a few useful tricks before your adventure, we offer a series of skill-based workshops for beginners and intermediate naturalists and we would to love to see you there! You’ll learn identification skills and tips on how to use the species identification guides. These events are FREE, open to all ages (kids under 16 must be with an adult). Stay tuned for future BioBlitz events.
In 2019, we held 5 BioBlitzes, totaling 12 over the past 3 years!
Volunteers like you were teamed up with local experts and worked together in teams to identify every living thing they come across as they explores our properties.
In 2019 we identified 720 species! Stay tuned for our 2019 BioBlitz Report.
Canada Invests to Protect More Nature
The Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust is thrilled to share the news about the new Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP) and our environmental partners to protect more private lands and habitat for species at risk. With the help and support of our supporters, donors and land owners across the Oak Ridges Moraine, Greenbelt and Simcoe County, we can take local action on climate change by nurturing the resilience of these truly precious areas.
For more information see the press releases by:
Environment and Climate Change Canada (EN)
Environment and Climate Change Canada (FR)
Natural Heritage Conservation Program Partners (EN)
Natural Heritage Conservation Program Partners (FR)
Forest Bathing: Taking action by connecting with nature!
We have partnered with Forest Bathing guides to provide this unique experience to volunteers, health organizations, and the public. If you have any questions or would like to provide a Forest Bathing walk to your group, contact us at landtrust@oakridgesmoraine.org
What is Forest Bathing?
Forest Bathing is a practice that originates from Japan, and involves mindfully connecting to nature and experiencing it with all your senses. No, it doesn’t involve bathing, showering, or rolling around on the forest floor! This practice has some incredible health benefits, from improved immune system functioning, reduced stress, and improved mood.
What makes this Forest Bathing program unique from others is that you get to visit some of the Land Trust’s beautiful protected properties, which are not open to the public. Hidden away from the busy streets of towns and cities, a Forest Bathing walk on these properties becomes a special experience; one where you can forget the bustling of the city and focus on the present moment.
How can I take action on Climate Change?
With climate change comes many challenges. The Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust is building resilience on the Ontario landscape, allowing for species adaptation and migration. We are taking action by partnering with local groups to host discussions and are encouraging others to do the same.
Click on the tabs below to find out how you can take action!
- Eat less meat, particularly red meat.
- Buy locally produced food and at local markets and shops.
- Grow your own food: start a garden!
- Compost leftover food, yard trimming and organic matter.
- Use reusable plates, cutlery, napkins, containers, etc.
- Eat local at community-oriented restaurants, avoid fast food chains.
- Buy food in bulk and bring reusable bags and containers to the store.
- Drink tap water – fill a glass or a reusable container with tap water to cut back on plastics.
- Drive a fuel-efficient, hybrid, or an electric car.
- Use public transportation (bus, train, subway) instead of a personal car.
- Use alternative transportation when possible – walk, rollerblade, or ride a bike.
- Carpool and ride-share with your co-workers and friends.
- Be an eco-driver – maintain your car and accelerate slowly to save on both fuel and car maintenance.
- Avoid using styrofoam and plastics.
- Repair rather than throw away and replace.
- Recycle old electronics like cell phones, mobile devices and batteries.
- Use reusable cups and bottles from home instead of using disposable cups and bottles.
- Donate old clothing, appliances and furniture to thrift stores and charity organizations.
- Reuse grey water from dishes and clothes to water your garden and indoor plants.
- Avoid using the dryer. Hang your clothes out to dry whenever possible.
- Put a brick or rocks in your toilet tank to conserve water each time you flush.
- Turn off your lights and unplug any appliances and cords whenever not needed.
- Replace your light bulbs with LEDs.
- Use rechargeable batteries instead of disposable batteries for portable devices.
- Go paperless – minimize printing of documents.
- Improve energy efficiency and reduce costs by taking advantage of Ontario programs and rebates such as the Green Energy Fund.
This map shows that the Oak Ridges Moraine will continue to be a highway for species migration over the next 50 years.
Map credit The Nature Conservancy
“I grew up here and roamed all over these woods and hills. Tobogganing, gathering flowers, watching birds. Later we planted trees, watched sunsets, saw the seasons pass. It meant so much to me, now it’s changing.”
You can contact:
Chief Executive Officer
Susan Walmer
swalmer@oakridgesmoraine.org
905−939-3333 Extension 32
Do You Want To Protect Your Own Property?
You may have heard similar sentiments from a parent or grand-parent, a friend or a neighbour. It’s usually with a touch of regret or sadness that the sense of place, the peacefulness, won’t continue. You can ensure that lands you love will be left intact and protected forever through the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust.
If you have land you cherish on the Moraine, you can ensure it remains protected forever through the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust. Your land becomes a nature reserve, meaning it is only accessible to the public if you wish, and will be protected from development, division and uses you don’t agree with. We work with each landowner one-on-one, and together with your own legal and financial professionals, we can help you find the solution that is right for you and your family. Just like every property, every gift is unique! We would be pleased to talk to you about Conservation Easements, Eco Gifts and other ways to achieve tax benefits while protecting your land forever.
No matter where you live on our Moraine, you can take action to protect habitat too!
Volunteer With Us!
You are always welcome to join us on monitoring visits, helping remove invasive species, working on trails and more. We promise you’ll connect with great people, get your hands a little (or a lot) dirty and feel good taking action to help our environment. Get in touch today to find out how you can lend a helping hand!
Volunteer Application Form
Control Invasive Species
Working together, we can fight invasive plants and weeds that spread across our Moraine. You might find some of these invasive species on your property:
• Dog Strangling Vine
• Garlic Mustard
• Emerald Ash Borer
• Periwinkle
• Buckthorn
• Phragmites
• Giant Hogweed
You can find out more from our partner: Ontario’s Invading Species.
Plant Your Own Butterfly Garden!
Adding native plants to your garden will attract butterflies and other pollinators, and bring bursts of beautiful colour to your garden. Here are a few of our favourites:
• Wild Bergamot (bee balm)
• Black-Eyed Susan
• Asters
• Blue Vervain
• Blazing Star
• Common Milkweed
• Butterfly Milkweed
• Coneflowers
• Spotted Joe-Pye Weed
Tree Planting
Planting tress provides habitat, stabilizes soil and reduces carbon. Our friends at Forest Ontario have a program to help you determine the best trees for your property.
Build and Monitor Bird Boxes!
You can build simple bird boxes to provide habitat for migrating birds. A simple Google search can give you ideas for different blueprints (e.g. here) to build and install a nesting structure on your property. A growing number of people are providing bird boxes for the threatened Barn Swallow in our area!
Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program
Do you own a forested property that is more than 10 acres? You might qualify for a program that can give you important tax benefits. Find out more about this provincial government program today!
Your Conservation Authority
A number of Conservation Authorities have a variety of stewardship incentive programs that can help you implement projects that benefit our environment. Find out more from Conservation Ontario!