By Ashley MacRae, Communications Coordinator
Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) is a big community of volunteers, donors, staff, and supporters working to conserve the natural and working lands of the Kawarthas. It takes a community of passionate and dedicated people to protect the land we love.
Today we would like to introduce you to another one of our incredible volunteers — Cody Mitchell.
Cody’s volunteer journey with KLT began in the spring of 2025. In the past year, he’s donated his time to helping care for KLT-protected lands, supporting the protection of new ones, and engaging with the community to inspire connections with nature in the Kawarthas.
Cody has volunteered on the Regional Seed Team, assisted in tree plantings, and invasive species removal, and is a member of the Property Inventory Team (PIT Crew). But he didn’t stop there!
This past spring, Cody joined KLT for our annual Event Ambassador training. KLT’s Event Ambassadors are the public face of the organization. They share our mission, vision, and values with people across the Kawarthas while representing KLT at festivals, markets, and other local events.
“From the start Cody brought SO MUCH curiosity, excitement and eagerness to learn and take initiative,” shares Sammy Tangir, Regional Seed Supply Coordinator.
“He’s been reliable in the field with the willingness to do any job, and he’s a huge support to KLT staff and his fellow volunteers. Cody brings amazing energy to every volunteer opportunity, and it’s very clear that he cares deeply for natural spaces in the Kawarthas.”
How long have you been volunteering with KLT and in what roles?
I started volunteering with KLT in the spring of 2025 and what a year it has been!
It has been an amazing experience meeting all the wonderful individuals who make up this truly fantastic organization. I volunteered with the seed team, where we visited many different habitats to collect seeds from an amazing array of different plant species. Our fantastic leader, Sammy Tangir, led seed processing and broadcasting events that were both fun and highly educational.
I also volunteered with the Property Inventory Team (PIT Crew). Here, I had the opportunity to visit different KLT properties and others the organization is working to protect, conducting flora and fauna inventories alongside knowledgeable and experienced team members.
Another team I had the pleasure of being a part of was the Land Stewardship volunteer team, where I helped with various conservation efforts such as invasive species removal and planting native trees.
What has been your favourite memory while volunteering with us and do you have a KLT protected property that is special to you?
It’s hard to pick a favorite memory from volunteering with KLT because there were so many fun and unique experiences!
If I had to choose one location that holds especially meaningful memories, it would probably be KLT’s Ballyduff Trails. It’s a beautiful property where you can stroll through a stunning tallgrass prairie. I took part in several seed collection and broadcasting events there, and I will always cherish those days spent with friends, enjoying nature and working among the plants.
What has been your favourite part of volunteering with us?
All of the above! Engaging with and learning from such a diverse group of individuals has been an amazing experience. It feels especially rewarding to be part of such an incredible community of people who all share a passion for land conservation.
What about KLT matters to you? What inspires you to continue volunteering with us?
I deeply value and respect KLT’s mission of land conservation. It’s meaningful to be part of an organization that is genuine and dedicated to protecting our lands from a place of passion and goodwill.
Why do you care about our natural ecosystems here in the Kawarthas?
With the ever growing threat that human development poses to our ecosystems, it feels like a responsibility to learn how our local lands are being affected and how I can contribute to protecting them.
Having moved here from Alberta two years ago, it has been a real treat to learn about the region’s biodiversity and to experience the natural beauty that the Kawarthas have to offer. I hope to continue enjoying them for many years to come.
Thank you, Cody, for protecting the land you love!
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: Cody Mitchell (front right with sunglasses on) processing native seeds at KLT’s Dance Nature Sanctuary to support future land restoration work. (Sammy Tangir)
