The rare Charitable Research Reserve

The rare Charitable Research Reserve rare stewards a 1,550+ acre urban land trust in Waterloo Region/ Wellington. Dedicated to conservation, research and education.

06/12/2026

Ever spotted a little caterpillar and wondered what it was?

Education Intern Chayse is putting your ID skills to the test with one of spring’s more eye-catching critters: the Grapevine Epimenis Moth!

From its striking colours to its clever mimicry, this tiny insect is full of surprises. Watch along, see if you can identify it before Chayse reveals the answer and let us know in the comments if you’ve ever seen one in the wild!

Nature is full of hidden gems! You just have to know where to look.

Turtle nesting season is underway!Across Waterloo Region and Wellington County, Ontario's at-risk turtles are laying the...
06/09/2026

Turtle nesting season is underway!

Across Waterloo Region and Wellington County, Ontario's at-risk turtles are laying their eggs in sandy and gravelly areas—often in places where nests are vulnerable to predators, mowing, construction, or other disturbances.

If you spot a turtle actively nesting or discover a turtle nest that may be at risk, please contact rare's Turtle Hotline: 226-962-6885

Your call could help protect a nest and give hatchlings a better chance of survival.

Since the Turtle Rescue Program began, more than 10,000 hatchlings have been safely released back into the wild thanks to the support of community members and volunteers.

Help us protect the next generation of turtles—save the number and share it with your friends and neighbours!

Are you passionate about conservation, community engagement and connecting people with nature? We're hiring a Community ...
06/02/2026

Are you passionate about conservation, community engagement and connecting people with nature? We're hiring a Community Conservation Coordinator for a one-year contract position to help lead volunteer-based ecological monitoring, stewardship projects, restoration initiatives and community science programs across rare's lands.

If you're excited about conservation research, environmental stewardship and working with volunteers to make a meaningful impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Applications close June 10, 2026
Cambridge, Ontario (hybrid work environment)

Learn more and apply: raresites.org/about/careers

Join rare and move your body in nature to feel great with rare! Join us for Yoga in the Garden. All you have to bring is...
05/31/2026

Join rare and move your body in nature to feel great with rare! Join us for Yoga in the Garden. All you have to bring is yourself, your yoga mat and a donation for the Cambridge Foodbank. See you there!

Let us know your coming by registering at www.raresites.org/events

Join us for our 2026 finale installment of Conversations for Conservation on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. We invite you and...
05/29/2026

Join us for our 2026 finale installment of Conversations for Conservation on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. We invite you and all your friends to a video screening of Lauren Judge’s More-than-human Illuminations. A fascinating exploration of creativity beyond the human.

Lauren Judge, interdisciplinary artist and Assistant Professor at Wilfrid Laurier University, invites us to witness the co-creative abilities of non-humans. Through visual artworks created with nature and the assistance of her students, Lauren illuminates how humans and non-humans can collaborate to inspire, teach and transform our connection to the natural world.

Register at https://www.raresites.org/events

05/28/2026

This summer, the Slit Barn Sessions bring incredible Canadian artists to rare for intimate evenings of music, community and connection.

In partnership with , this special concert series celebrates 25 years of rare while supporting the landscapes and species that call this place home.

Join us in the historic Slit Barn for unforgettable performances by , and .

Bar service provided by with partial proceeds supporting rare.

Seating for all shows is limited and available on a first come first serve basis. All shows are 19+.

Amazing video provided by

Celebrate with us this summer and help support a future where local green spaces continue to thrive.

Get tickets by visiting raresites.org/events

Everyone was a student once.Before Stephanie became Executive Director of rare, she was a young ecology student finding ...
05/26/2026

Everyone was a student once.

Before Stephanie became Executive Director of rare, she was a young ecology student finding her footing in the field, just like the students and interns we hire every season to do vital conservation work right here in our community.

This year, we need to raise $40,000 to fully fund our youth employment program by the end of August — and thanks to the incredible support of our community, we're getting closer every single day. These young people monitor turtle nests, restore habitat, grow food for neighbours facing food insecurity and help children fall in love with the outdoors. They do not just support the work at rare. In many ways, they are the future of it.

But we cannot get there without you.

Every gift helps us tell a young person that their work matters and that we believe in them. If you have ever been given a chance to grow, consider passing that forward today.

Link in bio to donate and learn more, or visit raresites.org/donate

Picture is Dr. Stephanie Sobek-Swant, Executive Director at rare, getting her boots muddy and cutting her teeth as a student in 2005.

Summer at rare is looking pretty full! We have a season packed with events that bring our community together, from garde...
05/25/2026

Summer at rare is looking pretty full! We have a season packed with events that bring our community together, from garden yoga and live music under the barn to evenings that get us thinking deeply about the world around us. Check out everything coming up at raresites.org/events

Spring has fully arrived on the land at rare. This flowering tree in full bloom is a reminder of just how quickly the se...
05/22/2026

Spring has fully arrived on the land at rare. This flowering tree in full bloom is a reminder of just how quickly the season turns when conditions are right. Get outside while it lasts.

Address

1679 Blair Road
Cambridge, ON
N3H4R8

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15196509336

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The rare Charitable Research Reserve posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to The rare Charitable Research Reserve:

Shortcuts

Share

Category