Message from the Chair
Hello fellow members and supporters. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank you for your generous donations and time allocated towards our great organization this year.
Here are just a few updates as it pertains to the Board of Directors. Over the course of the summer and fall months, we have filled several vacant positions.
Our new director- at-large is Christy Trescher. Christy is a long-time lover of the outdoors and the community of Brighton. She currently dedicates her time as an occasional teacher with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board.
Hello fellow members and supporters. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank you for your generous donations and time allocated towards our great organization this year.
Here are just a few updates as it pertains to the Board of Directors. Over the course of the summer and fall months, we have filled several vacant positions.
Our new director- at-large is Christy Trescher. Christy is a long-time lover of the outdoors and the community of Brighton. She currently dedicates her time as an occasional teacher with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board.
November 29, 2025 - Terry Buchkowsky
2025 Common Tern Report
We are excited to report on the 2025 field season for Common Terns at Presqu’ile Provincial Park, detailing the management and monitoring undertaken collaboratively by park staff and ourselves. We thank the Friends for their continued support of this important work. The unprecedented success of Common Terns at Presqu’ile is in large part due to this continued effort and adapting management approaches to meet prevailing challenges.
The 2025 Common Tern breeding season broke many records, including seeing the largest colony at Presqu’ile since the 1970s and producing the most
November 28, 2025 - Jennifer Arnold & Steve Oswald
Garage To Greatness Project: Fall 2025 Update
In the summer we embarked on a new educational initiative: renovating the garage area of the Nature Centre into a classroom. This would create a four-season educational and meeting venue that will be used to deliver Discovery Program activities, environmental education for school groups, and it could be used for small gatherings.
We’ve done the dirty work. Our volunteers have torn out the walls and flooring such that new wiring, plumbing, and insulation can be installed.
We’ve raised some money. Recall that we produced a video which nicely outlines our project - click here to watch
November 27, 2025 - Dan Riggs
Our Volunteers Are Amazing!
The Friends of Presqu’ile is a completely volunteer-run organization. We rely on our amazing cadre of volunteers to carry out all great projects all season long. Each year over 5,000 volunteer hours are needed to make sure everything gets done.
Who are our volunteers? Well, they range in age from 14 to over 80 years of age. They come from all walks of life – many are retirees, some are students getting their high school volunteer hours, and others are community members who squeeze time into their busy schedules to help out.
The countless hours and skills help us to make our visions
November 26, 2025 - Bev Cook
Trail Improvements 2025
Friends’ volunteers spent four days completing trail maintenance work this fall. The team spread wood chips on approximately 150 metres of Newcastle Trail. We had great volunteer support. We also worked with park staff – it was a solid joint effort.
This is the third major trail maintenance project this season. In the spring, work was done on the wooded trail area at the Marsh Boardwalk and in the summer almost 100 metres were repaired on Owen Point Trail. This is labour-intensive work without the aid of major equipment that might damage the trails.
The wood chips help to
November 25, 2025 - Brent Barnes
Congratulations 2025 Bursary Winners!
Every spring, some 60 seasonal student employees start working at Presqu’ile Provincial Park. They might be doing maintenance, educational programs, working at the gate or the store. Park visitors are so fortunate to have these cheerful and enthusiastic young people helping to make each visit to Presqu’ile a success.
The Friends of Presqu’ile want to recognize the achievements of the students and to encourage their continuing education. Towards that end, we started a bursary program almost 10 years ago. There are two bursaries available, a $1,000 Student Bursary and a $3,000 J.
November 24, 2025
Park Update: Fall 2025
This year Presqu’ile saw another record-breaking season with over 400,000 visitors from April 1st to September 30th alone!
This fall park staff have been continuing to remove dangerous ash trees from the campgrounds and many areas will look dramatically different come the spring. On a more positive note, over 500 trees are being planted this November to help jumpstart reforestation in the campgrounds. Look for these new trees in Elmvale and Trail’s End campgrounds.
We have also been sourcing some new Presqu’ile-themed merchandise including new patches, pins, ornaments and
November 23, 2025
Giving Tuesday, Gift Ideas, and End of Year Donations
As the season of giving approaches, the Friends of Presqu’ile Park invite you to make a meaningful impact on our beloved natural space. Buying a gift for the nature-lover or the loved one who has everything or making donations to the Friends help fund conservation projects, educational programs, and park enhancements that benefit visitors and wildlife alike.
Giving Tuesday is December 2!
Giving Tuesday is a global movement of generosity that falls the Tuesday after Black Friday. This is your chance to make a difference and
November 22, 2025
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