2021 has been a challenge for many people. We have begun to adapt to the changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but we still hit a few bumps in the road. Last year we created a virtual appreciation video instead of hosting an event, but this year we opted to run an in person event once more. Our hardworking volunteers achieved a lot this year and the Volunteer Appreciation Night was the perfect chance to thank them!
What did volunteers achieve this year?
Our volunteers have been very busy this year! With the launch of our Conservation Land Stewards program and updated Citizen Science program, we have had roughly 174 volunteers so far in 2021. We have held 15 stewardship volunteer events to remove invasive weeds, plant native plants, maintain trails, clean nest boxes, and more.
One of the major projects that we completed with the support of our volunteers included the creation of a native pollinator garden at the Smith Blackburn Homestead. We planted a total of 250 native forbs and 110 native shrubs and trees – read more about this project here.
Our Conservation Land Stewards at Coates Conservation Lands also took on the task of removing many years’ worth of dumped scrap metal from the land. Most of this metal, glass, and miscellaneous trash has now been hauled out of the woods and taken to the Ecostation, making the land safer for wildlife and people.
These are just some examples of the hard work our volunteers have done this year. We appreciate so much everything our volunteers do to help us each year, and this year we wanted to show our appreciation in a new way.
Volunteer Appreciation Night - Goat Yoga!
Another major project we ran this year was targeted goat browsing of invasive weeds at Pipestone Creek and Glory Hills in collaboration with Baah’d Plant Management. We thought our volunteers might like to meet some of the goats up close and personal while they weren’t busy eating up invasive weeds, so we asked Baah’d Plant Management to join us for some goat yoga!
We were thrilled to have 30-40 goats and about 30 volunteers join us on September 16th at the Smith Blackburn Homestead. Around half the volunteers joined us for yoga led by an instructor from Pure Yoga Studio, and the other half went for a guided walk of the Smith Blackburn Homestead.
It was a fantastic evening– everyone stayed an appropriate distance from each other – except the goats who had no idea about personal space! Some of the goats really wanted to do a bit of yoga themselves, and either climbed on the yoga participants or took over their yoga mats for themselves. It was a “goat” time!
The other group of volunteers had a lovely guided walk of the Smith Blackburn Homestead. Sunlight dappled through the trees during golden hour as they walked through the land, marveling at the gorgeous fall colours. They also got to see the completed native pollinator garden, with accompanying large bee hotel and educational sign. Don’t forget to check it out on your next visit!
You make a difference
Even if you couldn’t join us for the Volunteer Appreciation Night this year, we appreciate everything that you have done for us. Thank you – and we hope to see you at a future event!
