Community

Community Programs & Partnerships

The Orillia Fish and Game Conservation Club (OFGCC) is proud to work in a co-operative effort with other like-minded groups and individuals on conservation projects to improve habitat of the fish and game populations and projects to help the community.in our area. Examples of our current partnership programs are as follows:

  • Muskie Restoration Project: The Orillia Fish and game Conservation Club works in co-operation with the MNR, Muskies Canada, Fleming College, and other Conservation Clubs in an attempt restore the muskie populations in Lake Simcoe. With the MNR in the lead role, the OFGCC, along with other volunteers, assist the MNR in netting muskie in the more populated lakes and rivers in our area. A portion of the eggs from the females and milk from the males are collected, then the fish are released back into the waters from which they were netted. The eggs collected are then fertilized and raised in a hatchery at Fleming College until they are mature enough to be released into Lake Simcoe. The club has donated both time and money to this project, including a proper hatchery tank, with the goal of restoring a self-sustaining muskie population in Lake Simcoe.
  • Deer Feeding Projects: In co-operation with the MNR and members of the general public, the OFGCC works to feed the deer herds in our area during severe winter conditions when natural food sources are unattainable. When called upon, the Club will work with the MNR to supply food and manpower in order to help feed the many deer yarded in our area during these severe winter conditions. In other instances, the Club will assist individual rural landowners with the purchase of deer feed when requested and it has determined that the need is dire.
  • Stream Improvement Projects: The Orillia Fish and game Conservation Club works in co-operation with the MNR and individual land owners to prepare and implement a plan of action to improve a section of stream or river. Recently the club has partnered with Ontario Streams, a not-for-profit organization, that specializes in this type of work. Please see the stream improvement page under club projects on our home page for further information.
  • Haliburton Outdoor Association Fish Hatchery: The OFGCC has worked in partnership with the Haliburton Outdoor Association, assisting with the financing of this excellent fish hatchery facility. The money donated by the Club goes to provide fish food and to help pay the wages of their staff biologist.
  • Marl Lake, Tiny Marsh, Matchedash Bay Conservation Association (MTM): The Orillia Fish and Game Conservation Club has worked in partnership with MTM, donating funds during the building of the “Thiffault Nature Trail” in the Matchedash Bay Provincial Wildlife Area. This trail is one of three nature trails in the preserve and the public is invited to enjoy the vast expanse of wetlands and diversity of wildlife that exist in the area. The Orillia Fish and Game Conservation Club, working in partnership with Tiny Marsh, also donated funds to rebuild the pheasant holding pens.
  • Wye Marsh: In the late 1980’s the OFGCC financed and built a picnic shelter on the grounds of the Wye Marsh for use by their continuing education program.
  • Langman Sanctuary: Starting in 1970 a variety of restoration programs have been carried out on the marsh in the Langman Sanctuary. The sanctuary is a protected wetlands and any work in the marsh is strictly controlled by the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program (CLTIP) which is managed by the MNRF to protect its natural habitat .As a result  the club relies on technical support from many organizations including; The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry(MNRF), Ducks Unlimited (DU), Severn Sound Environmental Association (SSEA), Ontario Streams and others. In 2022 the club commenced partnering with the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC)  to develop a program for removing and controlling invasive species within the sanctuary, and; at the same time, we are partnering with Lakehead University (LU) and Ontario Streams to improve and monitor the water quality of the marsh.
  • Kids Programs: The OFGC continues to support kids and introduce them to the outdoors through programs like ‘Kid’s Conservation Day’ , ‘Kids fishing Day’ and the OPP Kids Day. They also work with students from Patrick Fogarty High School’s Environmental Programs and students in biology or Environmental Sustainability and Conservation programs at Lakehead University.
  • Charities: The OFGCC recognizes the need to support charities and health services in the Orillia area. From fund raising efforts at the BAFM the OFGCC has been able to donate over $50,000 to Orillia Solders Memorial Hospital and with profits from the Christmas Tree sale the club has supported the: Salvation Army, Sharing Place Food Bank, Lighthouse, and the Christmas ’Toy Mountain’ toy drive.