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The goal is simple: raise funds to support the stewardship of Carden's alvar and bird habitats by counting as many bird species as possible during a 24-hour period. Last year's winning team bagged 122 species.

You don't have to be an expert – in fact, this year we are introducing a Recreational category for teams with less experience.

And you won't need to drive all over the countryside - this Challenge is limited to the diverse alvars, grasslands, shrublands, wetlands and forests that make up the Carden Alvar.

We'll do our best to make your weekend fun and rewarding:
Access to over 5000 acres of protected areas as well as superb roadside birding.
Free camping (in the rough) at a cabin on Wylie Road, and all the coffee you can drink.
We supply pledge sheets, maps and forms.
A wrap-up dinner Saturday evening featuring the Dalrymple ladies= homemade pies.

Nature wins too!

All proceeds go towards the stewardship of protected areas on the Carden Alvar. Last year, the Challenge raised $14,000 for conservation!

To register your team:

By May 16^th, send us your team name, team members with contact information, and category (Recreational or Competitive).

Registration fee: $60 per team (maximum of 4) includes Saturday evening dinner.

Send to: The Couchiching Conservancy,

Box 704, Orillia, ON, L3V 6K7

nature@couchconservancy.ca

Challenge brings rewards:

For the team with the highest number of species:

The Carden Cup

A special trophy donated by Bob Bowles

For the individual with the highest pledges:

“Birds of North America” birding software (downloadable to your iPod)

donated by Thayers Birding Software

For the team with the highest pledged amount:

A set of 4 Ontario Breeding Bird Atlases

For the Recreational team with most species:

Carden Nature Festival hats

And a special draw ($5 per ticket) for:

Original woodcarving Eastern Bluebird

donated by

David Homer

Can’t join us?

Please consider sponsoring this year's Celebrity Birder:

Ethan Meleg

Inspired in his youth by Point Pelee, Ethan has grown into one of Canada’s leading nature photographers. His photos have been published all over the world in books, calendars and a long list of magazines. He has led bird and nature tours for 15 years, and is a member of the champion Kowa ‘Canadian’ Birding Team.

Sponsoring Ethan is easy: just send a note or e-mail to The Couchiching Conservancy, pledging an amount per species seen, or a flat pledge. We’ll send you a summary of the Challenge results, and issue charitable tax receipts for all funds received.

Carden Challenge 2008