May Across the Watershed: Connecting People, Place, and Purpose

May is a month of momentum. The landscape shifts quickly as trees leaf out, shorelines awaken, wildlife becomes more active, and people begin returning to trails, gardens, and outdoor spaces across the watershed. It is also a time when the connection between people and the environment becomes especially visible, through the choices we make, the places we gather, and the work happening quietly behind the scenes to support healthy natural systems.

This spring has also brought difficult reminders of just how quickly conditions can change. Following one of the most significant flood seasons in recent years, many residents across the watershed have experienced high water, saturated ground, shoreline flooding, and rapidly shifting conditions.

In this month’s Watershed Watch, we take a closer look at the science and partnerships behind flood forecasting and flood plain mapping, helping communities better understand how water moves across the landscape, how risk is monitored, and why long-term planning matters. We also explore how Durham TREES is helping private landowners plant for the future, restoring forest cover and strengthening watershed health one property at a time.

May also brings opportunities to get outdoors and reconnect with nature firsthand. Spring Fling returns to Ken Reid Conservation Area for a day of community, exploration, and seasonal activities, while an upcoming turtle awareness event offers practical ways residents can help protect vulnerable species during nesting season. Together, these stories reflect a shared theme, that conservation happens in many ways, from responding to changing conditions to planting trees, protecting wildlife, and creating opportunities for people to experience the watershed more deeply.

The Kawartha Conservation Team

P.S. As always, if you have any questions or topics you’d like to see covered in future issues of Watershed Watch Newsletter, email jchambers@kawarthaconservation.com.

Read the May issue of Watershed Watch Newsletter here.