Friends of the Carp Hills

Friends of the Carp Hills This is the Official page for the Friends of the Carp Hills. We are volunteers dedicated to conservation and recreation in the Carp Hills.

Friends of the Carp Hills are volunteers working with the community to preserve the Canadian Shield landscape of the Carp Hills for the benefit of nature and the community in perpetuity. Our goal is to preserve areas of wilderness for conservation and public access in the Carp Hills. We created and maintain the Crazy Horse Trail under agreement with the City of Ottawa. Vision:
To preserve the Carp

Hills for the benefit of nature and the community in perpetuity. Mission:
To forge a partnership of private landowners, community groups, organizations, businesses, and the City of Ottawa working together to create an area of wilderness conservation and public access in the Carp Hills. Goals:
• To identify and manage the unique and sensitive ecology of the Carp Hills for future generations.
• To undertake landowner stewardship and promote good conservation practices throughout the Carp Hills.
• To maintain a natural connection between the Carp Hills, the Carp River Eco-Corridor, and other regional eco-corridors.
• To provide for passive recreational use and conservation of the landscape and natural heritage of the Carp Hills.
• To involve community stakeholders in the development, operation, and maintenance of Carp Hills that support conservation, recreation, education, and cultural activities. Page Moderation Policy:

This page is intended to inform and share information about the Carp Hills - the diversity, history, biology, current events, alerts, activities, etc. Guidelines:
* The Friends of the Carp Hills welcomes community input that is of interest to our members.
* Make respectful & courteous postings.
* Posts that include spam, advertising, bullying, profanities, hate speech, degrading comments, self promotion, etc will be deleted.
* Posts not related to the Carp Hills will be deleted.

A "sweet" tour for our members!Friends of the Carp Hills member Ian hosted fellow members on his 67-acre Carp Hills prop...
06/14/2026

A "sweet" tour for our members!

Friends of the Carp Hills member Ian hosted fellow members on his 67-acre Carp Hills property yesterday. Ian guided people on his trails to see his ponds (with turtles), large old trees, and his hobby farm with apiary, chickens, and maple syrup operation.

Ian generously gifted everyone with a jar of his own Richardson Ridge Forest Honey. Some even got farm fresh eggs!

Our thanks to Ian for his stewardship and hospitality.

(All photos by FCH board member Chris Busby.)

Turtles have begun to nest.The much needed rain has softened the soil, triggering turtles to begin digging nests and lay...
06/07/2026

Turtles have begun to nest.

The much needed rain has softened the soil, triggering turtles to begin digging nests and laying eggs. Snapping Turtles and Painted Turtles begin laying early in June; Blanding's Turtles begin in the middle of June.

Keep an eye out for turtles on the roads. We've already recorded 8 dead turtles in our area since the beginning of June.

Carp Barrens Trail Now Closed - 19 May until 16 AugustThe City of Ottawa closes the Carp Barrens Trail each year to prot...
05/19/2026

Carp Barrens Trail Now Closed - 19 May until 16 August

The City of Ottawa closes the Carp Barrens Trail each year to protect ground nesting birds and egg-laying turtles. Four Species at Risk nest along the trail: Eastern Whip-poor-will, Common Nighthawk, Blanding's Turtle, and Snapping Turtle.

The trail will be closed to public use from the morning of Tuesday, 19 May until Sunday, 16 August.

Thank you for helping to conserve our wildlife.

Carp Barrens Trail Closure - 19 May until 16 AugustThe City of Ottawa closes the Carp Barrens Trail each year to protect...
05/12/2026

Carp Barrens Trail Closure - 19 May until 16 August

The City of Ottawa closes the Carp Barrens Trail each year to protect ground nesting birds and egg-laying turtles. Four Species at Risk nest along the trail: Eastern Whip-poor-will, Common Nighthawk, Blanding's Turtle, and Snapping Turtle.

The trail will be closed to public use from the morning of Tuesday, 19 May until Sunday, 16 August.

Thank you for helping to conserve the wildlife for future generations to enjoy.

Why did the coyote cross the pond?Carp nature photographer Ian Somerville captured this photo of a coyote swimming acros...
04/26/2026

Why did the coyote cross the pond?

Carp nature photographer Ian Somerville captured this photo of a coyote swimming across Hidden Lake Pond on 25 April. Ian says that the coyote seemed to be "escorted" by the waterfowl on the pond including Canada Geese and this Hooded Merganser. It must have been a pretty cold swim!

Thank you to Ian for sharing his photo and story!

Address

Carp, ON

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