In this episode, we speak with Sandy Agnew and Lynne Melnyk about the unveiling of the Agnew–Melnyk Nature Reserve—one of the newest protected properties within the Minesing to Matchedash Connected Corridor. This 39.5-acre reserve, donated to the Couchiching Conservancy in 2024, protects a rich mix of grassland meadow, a section of Hogg Creek, and conifer swamp, all forming part of a critical wildlife movement corridor in central Ontario.

Sandy and Lynne share the story behind the donation, what motivated them to secure the land’s future, and how this reserve fits into the broader landscape of conservation work happening across the region. We also explore the long-term goals of the Land For Life Campaign and the growing importance of private land stewardship in maintaining habitat connectivity.

Beyond the history of this particular reserve, our conversation turns to what others can do: how residents can get involved with local conservation efforts, what options exist for protecting their own lands, and why individual action—whether through volunteering, stewardship agreements, or land donations—has become an increasingly important part of safeguarding ecosystems in Ontario.

It’s a discussion about legacy, community-driven conservation, and the role each of us can play in protecting land for generations to come.

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In this episode, we speak with Theresa McClenaghan, Executive Director of the Canadian Environmental Law Association, for a clear, accessible overview of how Ontario’s drinking-water protection framework came to be — and where it may be heading.

We begin with the events in Walkerton, outlining what happened, why it mattered, and how that tragedy prompted a fundamental rethinking of drinking-water safety in Ontario. From there, Theresa walks us through the major legislative and regulatory changes that followed, including the development of source-water protection planning and the modern structure of the Clean Water Act and related regulations.

The conversation then shifts to Ontario’s newly proposed regulatory amendments, highlighting what the province is proposing to change, how the approval process for wells and intakes would be streamlined, and what this could mean for the broader drinking-water framework.

We close with a brief look at what the near future may hold as Ontario continues to balance growth, infrastructure needs, and the long-standing goal of preventing another tragedy like Walkerton.

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In this episode of The Tree Planters Podcast, we return to the Red Earth Gallery at St. Paul’s Centre to explore Phase 3 of the Art of Reconciliation project. Created during 2021–2023, this round unfolds against an intense period in Canadian public life: the discovery of unmarked graves at former residential schools, the establishment of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and the shared vulnerability of the COVID-19 pandemic. These events shaped how Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists entered the work, influencing both the themes they carried forward and the questions they were able to ask.

Phase 3 stands apart in the project’s story. The artists had already spent years building relationships across earlier rounds, and by this stage they were navigating a moment when public awareness, grief, and responsibility converged in ways that couldn’t be ignored. Their works respond to this shift—reflecting on isolation and interdependence, the obligations of witnessing, the reopening of suppressed histories, and the personal work required to reconcile with truth. Many pieces engage directly with the broader social context: the trauma resurfacing as unmarked graves came to national attention, the disruptions of the pandemic, and the renewed conversations about land, water, and returning to teachings.

Our discussion follows the artwork sequence and the stories behind it, considering how this round marks a turning point. Rather than focusing solely on learning or initial awareness, Phase 3 reflects a deeper stage of the process—one rooted in vulnerability, honesty, and the recognition that reconciliation requires personal transformation as well as structural change. Together, we look at how the artists interpret this moment, and how their work contributes to an ongoing effort to understand, repair, and build relationships in Simcoe County and beyond.

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In this episode of The Tree Planters Podcast, we return to St. Paul’s Centre to explore Phase 2 of the Art of Reconciliation project — a stage shaped by the artists themselves as they asked, “Where are you now in your personal reconciliation process?”

This round, created between 2015 and 2018, brought together Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists whose works reflect on truth, listening, and shared responsibility.

Guided by the Seven Grandfather Teachings — wisdom, love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility, and truth — the installation invites reflection on how communities grow more aware, and how reconciliation can become a living, everyday practice.

Our conversation considers how these pieces, and the process behind them, deepen local understanding of reconciliation within Simcoe County and beyond.

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On this episode of Tree Planters, we visit the inspiring reconciliation-art initiative Call To Action #83 Simcoe County, curated by retired educator and multi-mode artist Mary Lou Meiers. The project brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists in Simcoe County to respond collaboratively to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 83rd Call to Action – namely, “A strategy for Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists to undertake collaborative projects and produce works that contribute to the reconciliation process.”

We focus here on Phase 1 of 4 of the artworks, immersing ourselves in the stories, the process of dialogue, trust-building and truth-telling, and how art becomes a carrier for both memory and forward-looking hope. As Mary Lou explains, this work is about “going forward together in a good way, in harmony” (awi-niigaani-wiiji-mino-inawendiwin).

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How can watersheds be used to strengthen our communities, enhance our resilience to the impacts of climate change, and provide the foundations for a sustainable, thriving economy?

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As Canada marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we reflect on the commitments that remain unfinished and the future we hope to build together. In this episode, we speak with Jeff Monague—educator, storyteller, and former Chief of Beausoleil First Nation—about the progress on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and what reconciliation truly means in practice.

This conversation is an invitation to listen, reflect, and take responsibility for the part we each play in creating a just and reconciled future.

Links:

National Commission on Truth and Reconciliation

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Barrie’s mayor has declared a state of emergency over the city’s growing homeless encampments—a crisis that’s been building for years while governments at every level have largely failed to respond. Is this declaration a genuine step toward solutions, or will it shift the burden onto those least able to carry it: the people already living on the margins?

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