Watershed Watch Newsletter: May 2025

As spring unfolds across the Kawartha watershed, nature is awakening in both beautiful and challenging ways. The trees are budding, rivers are flowing strong, and wildlife is returning – but the season has also brought with it powerful reminders of nature’s force and resilience.

In this edition of Watershed Watch, we explore the many faces of spring. We begin with a look at the devastating impact of the April ice storm, which caused significant damage across our conservation areas.

Our team has been hard at work clearing trails and restoring access, but the road to recovery will take time and community support.

We also take you to the Bobcaygeon Dam for a closer look at the Walleye Watch, a special project that highlights the economic and ecological importance of Walleye in our region. This hands-on initiative shows how monitoring fish populations helps sustain local economies and maintain a healthy watershed.

Finally, we invite you to learn more about what defines our work at Kawartha Conservation – the watershed itself. In our feature article, we explain what a watershed is, why it matters, and how everything we do, from land-use planning to conservation, is tied to understanding this interconnected system.

As the seasons shift, so too does our focus, blending restoration, science, and stewardship to protect the natural spaces we all depend on. Thank you for being part of this journey.

In this issue

Ice Storm Causes Widespread Damage Across Conservation Areas

The powerful ice storm that swept through the region in early April left a trail of destruction across Kawartha Conservation’s natural spaces, felling thousands of trees and blocking trails, roads, and access points. The aftermath has been severe, with staff dedicating countless hours and resources to clear debris, assess hazards, and gradually reopen some of the hardest-hit conservation areas.

- John Chambers

Read More

An Evening on the Water: Watching Walleye in Bobcaygeon

The air was mild for late April, carrying the soft scent of rain with it as we gathered near the Bobcaygeon Dam. On Friday night, April 25, 2025, the temperature hovered around 10°C - warmer than usual for this time of year - while a gentle breeze from the southeast stirred the water’s surface. The sky threatened rain, but only scattered showers touched down as we prepared for a night that promised something special: the Bobcaygeon Dam Walleye Watch initiative.

Read More

What is the Kawartha Conservation Watershed?

When people hear the term ‘Kawartha Conservation,’ they often associate our work with the boundaries of the City of Kawartha Lakes. And while we’re proud to serve this vibrant municipality, the area we steward, our watershed, is determined by nature, not political lines.

Read More