Hello folks!

I'm turning 50 this year, and I would like to do something special to mark the year!

I have participated in the Carden Challenge for some 15 years. This is a 24-hour bird count challenge to raise money for the Couchiching Conservency, which in turn manages and protects the valuable habitat of the Carden Alvar, just East of Lake Simcoe.

Come spring, this is the second most diverse bird area in North America! A truly special place that is always vulnerable to development and change. Just look at how the special grove of trees at Ontatio Place was wiped out without notice to make way for the current government's plans for growth. The Couchiching Conservancy makes excellent use of the funds it generates to purchase and protect land in this very special part of Ontario.

I am hoping to raise 50 x $50 to help protect this space long into the future.

Along with my team, we have great fun biking around and identifying all kinds of new bird species to us. Last year, we had a new record of 100 bird species! This year, I would like to make a record for how much money we raise in our effort to protecting this amazing landscape.

We welcome your contribution, whatever it may be.