Justin Peter is taking part in the Carden Challenge, on the Carden Alvar

I am taking part in the 15th annual Carden Challenge, and am the 'celebrity birder' for The Couchiching Conservancy.

The Carden Challenge is a 24 hour birding and biodiversity marathon in support of The Couchiching Conservancy, a non-profit, non-government land trust dedicated to protecting nature for future generations. The Conservancy works to acquire and protect environmentally significant land in the Lake Couchiching area, and one of the key areas they work in is the Carden Alvar, a globally rare landscape. During the event, teams head out on the Alvar in search of as many species as possible, and there are prizes for the top teams. You can learn more about this event here: http://www.couchichingconserv.ca/15th-annual-carden-challenge/

I grew up below a limestone escarpment in suburban Ottawa, and I spent much time exploring the area along and atop the escarpment, which contained remnants of habitat from pre-development times. On my first visit to the Carden Alvar (to participate in the prescribed burn at Cameron Ranch in 2012), I was struck by the similarities of the vegetation to my home turf, which shared the same limestone bedrock from Ordovician times. I fancied that the Carden Alvar must represent a primeval picture of my ‘home habitat’ prior to creeping residential development. Since my first visit, I’ve made at least one annual pilgrimage to the Carden Alvar to rekindle my connection to ‘Old Ontario’. It is reassuring that we have this place and I hope it is here for the enjoyment of all in perpetuity!

Please donate in support of conservation efforts of the Carden Alvar.