The Copeland Forest Friends: Looking after the Forest for the Ministry of Natural Resources for all the user groups

Copleland Forest Friends on Facebook

Copeland Forest Friends

2 days ago

Copeland Forest Friends
Dear Members, Winter is membership renewal seasonIf you have already renewed your membership - Thank youWe depend on your memberships and donations to allow us to continue our role as stewards of the Forest. To renew go to: www.copelandfriends.ca/civicrm/contribute/transact/?reset=1&id=10All renewing members before February 15 will be entered into a draw for gift prizes including Horseshoe Valley passes for Nordic Skiing, Lift Tickets and Tubing. If you haven’t already, please Renew now to be entered in the draw.Also, if you are unsure of your membership status or expiry date drop us a note to info@copelandfriends.ca and we can confirm your status.2025 was a unique year for the Copeland as it was for the entire region. The ice storm in the early spring led to extensive clean up and re-opening of all the trails in the Forest. The CFFA as well as other community volunteers worked many hours and days to make the forest safe and open for all to continue to enjoy this unique environment. Beyond the ice storm cleanup, the CFFA worked on trail improvements, invasive species control, ecological studies of the Forest, water testing of the watershed and new updated signage. All the work the CFFA does is based on membership renewals along with donations received at renewal time as well as support from our generous community benefactors. ... See MoreSee Less

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Copeland Forest Friends

3 weeks ago

Copeland Forest Friends
The Copeland is a special place in winter. When the snow is deep, the air is crisp and the sunlight is filtering through the canopy, the forest in winter becomes one of our favourite times to snowshoe, walk or ski through the beautiful terrain of the Copeland.Should you be walking or snowshoeing and encounter the Horseshoe resort trails we ask forest users to respect the trail grooming and stay to the left edge of the groomed trails. The Horseshoe Resort is a valued supporter of the Copeland Friends and many of our membership enjoy skiing the beautiful trail network.We urge everyone to get out there and enjoy the forest this winter.. ... See MoreSee Less

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Copeland Forest Friends

3 weeks ago

Copeland Forest Friends
Photo courtesy of David Kennedy. Taken at P1 just as you cross the railway tracks. ... See MoreSee Less

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Copeland Forest Friends

2 months ago

Copeland Forest Friends
These photos are courtesy of Don McKinnon who discovered a disturbance in the snow between points 34 &35 on the CFFA map. Bob Bowles identified this disturbance as likely a spot where White-tailed deer were scraping away the snow to expose acorns in the leaf litter. Bob stated: “You have some wonderful oak trees in Copeland Forest, and this is an area that I found last year under a large Red Oak where White-tailed Deer scrape the snow away under the tree to expose the acorns in the leaf litter. Acorns are high energy food high in fat that many species use in winter. Squirrels, deer, moose, and other mammals depend on acorns for their winter food supply. Oaks and acorns are one of the best ecological values you have in Copeland Forest, and these trees need to be protected which includes not removing leaf litter under the oak trees which protects the roots in winter.”Bob feels the deer population in the Copeland is healthy. Their tracks are long and narrow, very pointed at the front and rounded at the back giving a heart-shaped imprint (see photo below). When you are out enjoying the forest this season watch out for the White-tailed deer, especially around the large Red Oak trees. ... See MoreSee Less

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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!