By Ashley MacRae, Communication Coordinator
Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) has an ever-growing community of volunteers, donors and supporters that make conservation on the lands you love possible. Protecting natural and working lands in the Kawarthas requires a community of people who are devoted and passionate about nature.
Today, we would like to highlight and thank one of our long-standing volunteers — Mitch Ward. Mitch has been volunteering as a Stewardship Volunteer with KLT since he began his studies at Fleming College in 2018. In the past eight years, he’s joined us on the trails after major weather events, assisted with invasive species removal, and lent a hand in many restoration projects.
Mitch is also a volunteer on KLT’s Property Inventory Team (PIT crew), helping KLT collect species, habitat, and ecosystem data to support KLT’s ability to protect new lands in the Kawarthas.
“Mitch came out to five different trail clearing events after the devastating 2025 ice storm,” said Ashley Cramer, Land Stewardship Coordinator
“Mitch’s chainsaw skills and deep knowledge of chainsaw safety were invaluable in helping clear sections of trails that were affected by downed trees to ensure they could be reopened to the public again.”
How long have you been volunteering with KLT and in what roles?
I began volunteering with the Kawartha Land Trust the same year I started studying at Fleming College in 2018. It’s been inspiring to see how much the organization has grown since then, at least from my perspective as a weekend volunteer, whenever time would permit. I remember most early work parties would boast six or eight people at most. It is awe-inspiring now to show up to events and see twenty or more people!
What has been your favourite memory while volunteering with us and do you have a KLT protected property that is special to you?
One of my favourite memories and experiences was on Big (Boyd/Chiminis) Island. I’ve been there several times now, and never in the same area! This was on my most recent trip. We were clearing the trails, and I was so enamored with the absolute textbook perfect forest types you walk through on the island. The hardwoods were the best. Silent, tall, beautiful trees as far as you can see.
What has been your favourite part of volunteering with us?
Meeting the other volunteers. I always enjoy volunteering because every time you show up to a job, you meet people who care, and who absolutely want to be there. It is always enlightening.
What inspires you to continue volunteering with us?
I appreciate KLT because it is an organization that shows you, through action, what stewardship can accomplish. I regard stewardship as an important value to have personally, and volunteering is an effective way to show it to people and see it in others.
Why do you care about our natural ecosystems here in the Kawarthas?
I have a more practical than philosophical response to this. I care about this area literally because it is so close to everyone! Step outside in the cities and towns, and you’ll see century trees. Travel five minutes from the town limits, and you can see drumlins, hedgerows, and streams. Travel for half an hour, and you can probably be at a lake! We are surrounded by nature and land, and I hope that it is more obvious to more people that we have to safeguard it, and that we can.
We’d like to once again thank Mitch for all of his volunteer contributions – thank you! And we’d like to thank all of our volunteers — past and present — for making a difference for nature in the Kawarthas.
To learn more about volunteering with Kawartha Land Trust, visit our volunteer page. You can also stay in touch and learn more about upcoming volunteer opportunities and much more by signing up for our e-Newsletter.
Main photo: KLT volunteer, Mitch Ward, pulling invasive Garlic Mustard at KLT’s Pipers’ Woods in 2024. (Angelina Gordon)
