Early June 2022

INSIDE: Join the Great Giving Challenge; Young Environmental Science Writers Workshop Deadline; Nature Activity Video; June 29th Conversation for Conservation Announced; May 27th Conversation for Conservation Video Released; Spaces Available for Teen ECO Camp; Upcoming Volunteer Events at rare.

Photo by: Patti Leather

The Challenge Continues: Giving to rare through CanadaHelps in June may help rare win $20,000!

Will you answer the challenge? Many have done so, but we can always use your help to fund our programs to preserve our natural spaces intact in perpetuity, to spark a sense of wonder in our next generation of conservationists, and to broaden our knowledge of environmental science. And, for the month of June, your support can go even farther, by taking part in the Great Giving Challenge.

For the month of June, CanadaHelps' Great Giving Challenge enters its charities into a draw to win $20,000. Every dollar that donors donate to their charity of choice through CanadaHelps becomes a ballot in the prize draw. Your donation could go $20,000 farther than you expected!

And to further challenge our donor base, rare supporter Barbara Nykamp is matching donations made through the month of June up to $500, so that's another reason to give to protect our natural lands, now and into the future.

We thank all our donors, whatever and whenever they donate. All of rare's successes are possible only because of the support of individual donors and organizations who give to help build a more sustainable world. We hope you can join the challenge, to bring that goal even closer to reality.

One More Week for Young People to Apply to an Environmental Science Writers Workshop

High school students who are aspiring writers and passionate about the environment are invited to apply for a FREE workship running from July 18-22. The Young Environmetal Science Writers Workshop is being hosted by rare and the University of Guelph in partnership with Musagetes and the Guelph Institute for Environmental Research. This is a FREE experience, but aspiring young writers have until June 17 to apply.

So, don't miss out! This is a great opportunity for participants to meet with world-class environmental science researchers, creative writers and Indigenous knowledge keepers. These sessions will connect participants with their surroundings and guide them in new ways of expressing themselves while addressing environmental issues.

Again, this workshop is FREE, but space is limited, so apply by June 17. To learn more, visit this website. Anyone interested in attending should apply by filling out and sending off this form.

Nature Activity Video: Nature's Paintbrushes

Nature and art often go together. You can see this in how so many artists are inspired to create artworks in nature, or about nature, but how about creating art with nature?

In our latest Nature Activity Video, educator Istafa Sufi goes through a number of ways you and your kids can create paintbrushes from the materials available in your own backyard. Try it and see!

If you were wondering what a lot of goats and cows are doing in the fields of Preston Flats these days, now's your chance to find out. Our June Conversation for Conservation takes place at the Slit Barn at 768 Blair Road at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 29. Sarah Martin-Mills, the owner and founder of Growing Hope Farm in Cambridge, will be giving a talk about making farming and our food supply environmentally friendly as well as nutritious.

Sarah began Growing Hope Farm in 2016 with the goal to help the local as well as the global community. She has had a passion for farming since she was very young and, over the past seven years, has learned through mentors, formal education, and trial and error how to farm in a sustainable and humane way that regenerates the environment. She is passionate about the land, soil and community, and she brings this passion to a live audience at the Slit Barn at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 29.

This is an event not to be missed. We look forward to seeing you all! To register to attend this FREE seminar, please click the link below: 

(Please note that, when you register to attend, you can download the confirmation of your registration, and a copy will be e-mailed to you. If you don't receive a copy within ten minutes, please check your spam filter. If you still can't find your registration, e-mail James Bow and he will confirm your registration.

May's Conversation for Conservation was a night to remember. Our first-ever in-person seminar attracted dozens of attendees interested in hearing Nicola Ross talk about the story of her creating her renown Loops and Lattes series of local nature hikes. Everyone was enthralled as she talked about her experience in curating and testing her hikes, and putting everything together.

If you missed this event, or just want to experience it again, the whole thing was recorded, and you can now see the presentation by clicking on the thumbnail above, or visiting our YouTube Channel. Also, be sure to check out our video of our April Conversation for Conservation, where Bob Wildfong of Seeds of Diversity Canada talked about Seed Diversity in our Food Crops, and the work dedicated seed savers are taking on to ensure the genetic heritage of our fruits, grains and vegetables are not lost to history.

Thanks to everyone who came out for the May 27th event, and thanks especially to Nicola Ross for putting together such a fascinating discussion.

Last Chance! Spaces Still Available for rare's Teen ECO Camp, August 2-5!

Does your teenager (aged 12-16) want an environmental camp experience, learning about nature and the great outdoors? Space is still available at rare's first ever ECO Teen Camp, being held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily from Tuesday, August 2, to Friday August 5. For only $160 for the week, your teen can explore unique habitats across a natural landscape, learn from special guests, visit our carbon-neutral North House as well as Springbank Farm. They'll partake in environmental art and nature-based activities.

Just a couple of spots remain, so register now before they're gone! Extended care is also available an hour before and after each camp session for an additional charge of $25 for the week for either the morning or afternoon session, or $50 for both.

Further details and registration can be found here. Don't delay and take advantage of this unique opportunity to spark a sense of wonder in nature in our next generation of conservationists.

Upcoming Events at rare

Our Wednesday morning and Sunday afternoon guided volunteer events continue at Springbank Farm. There's no need to register, simply show up at 681 Blair Road at 9 a.m. on Wednesdays or 1 p.m. on Sundays, wearing long pants, closed-toe shoes or boots, long-sleeved shirts, and a willingness to work, and staff at Springbank Farm will provide tools and guidance on how to use them. All hands are welcome to help Springbank Farm's Organic Food Bank Garden grow.

On the morning of Thursday, June 23, come to rare's Lamb's Inn headquarters at 1679 Blair Road at 9:30 a.m. to help with a Periwinkle (and other Invasive Species) Pull. Staff will be on hand to take volunteers out onto rare's trails where we'll identify and remove Periwinkle, Goutweed, English Ivy, and Lily-of-the-Valley. These plants were typically introduced to North America as ornamentals. However, due to their ability to persist in shady environments and create a dense carpet of vegetation, they've found their way onto many forest floors, where they push out native species. We do ask that you register to attend this walk, and details and registration information is here.

Also on Thursday, June 23, starting at 11 a.m. (weather permitting), rare's Planning Ecologist, Dr. Tom Woodcock, will be leading a Garden Walk and Pollinator Talk. Participants should gather at 681 Blair Road (Springbank Farm & North House), where Tom will teach about the ecology behind the production of some of our favourite foods as well as the interaction between biodiversity conservation and food production. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Click here to register for this FREE event.

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