The Copeland Forest Friends: Looking after the Forest for the Ministry of Natural Resources for all the user groups
Copeland Forest Friends on Facebook
St. John’s and St. Paul’s Anglican churches Remove Garlic Mustard![]()
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THANK YOU for Partnering with the Copeland Forest Friends![]()
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Members from the two Anglican churches in Craighurst and Midhurst, led by Rev. Andrew Kuhl, cleared the Left Bank and its valley of Garlic Mustard this spring.![]()
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Studies have designated this huge unbroken area as exceptional for its massive diversity of spring ephemerals and as a breeding ground of amphibians and birds.![]()
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Thank you for committing to protect this section of our beautiful earth, the Copeland’s upland deciduous forest. With this volunteer effort the local churches have joined a global initiative of Anglican churches to preserve biodiversity from the Solomon Islands to India.![]()
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Next year we look forward to more excursions. We’ll post the pull dates in advance so everyone can view and help out in this area of amazing wildflowers.
Georgian Bay Hunters + Anglers Remove Garlic Mustard![]()
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THANK YOU for Partnering with the Copeland Forest Friends![]()
The Georgian Bay and Barrie Hunters and Anglers know that everyone benefits from a healthy forest. Conservation is their focus and so is the threat of a monoculture of Garlic Mustard.![]()
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M & M is required: Muscle and Motivation.![]()
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The Angler and Hunter volunteers from Georgian Bay and Barrie knew how to deal with the sky-high amount of Garlic Mustard this year. Based on the number and weight of bags, the volunteers were out to bag a #1 medal. . . Or create a new compost bin lower down on the Maui Wowie trail to make removal easier next year.![]()
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The Hunters and Anglers have participated every year in the Copeland Friends Garlic Mustard Project. They welcome anyone to join them in this dynamic event. We’ll publish the date next year. Ask them anything as well. Maybe even get their innovative recipe for Garlic Mustard Mustard.![]()
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Thank you to Rob Burston, Karl and Annette Gostick for your support and leadership.
Severn Sound Environmental Assoc. (SSEA) Removes Garlic![]()
Mustard![]()
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THANK YOU for Partnering with the Copeland Forest Friends![]()
Thank you to Patrick Jackson, Coordinator of Invasive Species for SSEA, and your summer staff of college students for helping us remove and control Garlic Mustard.![]()
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You chose to work in the Copeland Forest because you recognized that it contains exceptional ecological features that need protection from a monoculture of Garlic Mustard.![]()
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Yes, we bagged a lot of those invasive nasty plants, but we all come out for the fun and surprises we enjoy along the way. For example, watching a raven swoop down to snatch our muffins, hearing a bird never ever seen before in the Copeland, or discovering spotted Red Eft baby newts loving the cool, rich leaf mulch.![]()
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Everyone, if you want to get out and enjoy nature more next spring, join a Copeland Friends Garlic Mustard group. We’ll post the Severn Sound outings beforehand.![]()
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mailto:garlicmustard@copelandfriends.ca
Copeland Forest - Minor Trail Closures![]()
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The double track trail system in Copeland is a legacy of forest logging from over 30 years ago and the single-track network was developed informally by local mountain bikers 10+ years ago. Many people from various user groups enjoy the extensive trail network in the eastern section of Copeland Forest.![]()
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Copeland is one of the few forests remaining in southern Ontario where a wild nature experience is still possible. More and wider trails lessen the forest's wild feel. We do not want to lose this experience. ![]()
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Over the past few years, we have seen a gradual increase in the amount of single track in the forest. Most of these new sections are short, near existing trails and lead to the same place as the older trail. CFFA is not necessarily against new trail sections for specific reasons such as detours to reduce the ecological impact of existing trails or to create a better user experience. ![]()
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However, the policies of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), owners of the Copeland, mandate no increase in the trails, therefore, redundant trail sections must be closed and rehabilitated. CFFA is closing, signing, and rehabilitating a few short sections of duplicative or redundant trails. ![]()
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We hope that users will respect and support these closures. Related to this, we want to hear from users. Are you supportive of this? Why or why not? Please send your comments to: info@copelandfriends.ca
Download the Trails Map
Download our map of all the major trails in the Copeland Forest
Copeland Forest Friends
The Copeland Forest is a 4,400 acre Resource Management Area in Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada, owned by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests.The size, beauty, and unfettered use of the forest by a wide variety of recreational users inspired an initiative to conserve the natural integrity of the forest and facilitate compatible recreational use.
In October 2015 the Copeland Forest Friends Association formed a Non-Profit Corporation, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the MNRF, and began offering memberships. The organization has been structured to ensure that all of the major recreational user groups are represented equally. There are many ways to join us including becoming a member, volunteering, making a donation, and signing up for our newsletter. We look forward to seeing you in the forest!
