Tis’ the Season to Get Outside
As 2025 winds down, winter offers a quieter way to connect with the outdoors. The Credit River Watershed transforms with fresh snow, bare branches and crisp air, creating new opportunities to explore, slow down and notice the small details that make this season special.
Whether you’re looking for a family outing or a peaceful moment on your own, our conservation areas offer plenty of ways to enjoy nature. Here are some activities you can do in our parks this season:
1. Take a Hike
Winter trails offer a different way to experience nature. With the leaves down and a soft layer of snow, it can be easier to spot wildlife activity. Look for the heart-shaped tracks of white-tailed deer or the delicate prints of eastern cottontails crossing the trail and weaving through the forest floor.
For a short, family-friendly winter stroll, try the Wetland Trail at Terra Cotta Conservation Area. It’s a gentle half a kilometre boardwalk route, perfect for little legs, strollers or a quick nature break. For those wanting something more adventurous, the Graydon Trail at Terra Cotta is just under three kilometres and offers deeper forest terrain and a more immersive woodland hike.
2. Look for Winter Plants
Even without snow, winter reveals a quieter side of the Credit River Watershed’s plant life. Evergreen species like eastern white cedar stay vibrant year-round, offering shelter for birds and small mammals.
Along wetland edges, the sturdy brown stalks of cattails remain standing through the cold months, providing structure and habitat long after summer growth fades. In open areas, the bright red stems of red-osier dogwood add unexpected colour to the winter landscape. Taking time to notice these resilient plants is an easy way to connect with nature before the year ends and a reminder that many native species stay active even in the coldest months.
3. Go Winter Birding
Winter is an excellent time to spot birds that stay active year-round or pass through the watershed during the colder months. Without leaves on the trees, species like black-capped chickadees, downy woodpeckers and white-breasted nuthatches are easier to see and hear. Island Lake Conservation Area is also a great place to watch for winter waterfowl. Recent sightings have included bufflehead, long-tailed ducks and tundra swans as they move through the region.
With over 260 bird species recorded in the Credit River Watershed, even a short winter walk can reveal exciting wildlife moments you might not expect at this time of year.
4. Have a Mindful Outdoor Moment
Winter is a natural time to pause and take in the small details around you. Watch red squirrels weaving through the branches, notice the colour of red-osier dogwood against the muted landscape or look up to see altocumulus clouds, a cloud type commonly seen in colder months that creates rippling, textured patterns across the sky.
These quiet observations invite you to slow down and be present on the trail. Research shows that even short periods spent outdoors can lower stress levels and improve overall well-being. A simple but meaningful way to end the year feeling more grounded.
Winter may feel still, but there’s plenty happening across the Credit River Watershed. From the birds that stay active year-round to the wetlands that continue working beneath the ice, every visit offers something new to discover.
As you wrap up the year, consider making time for a walk at your local conservation area or a few mindful minutes outside. Learn more about winter activities and plan your visit to a Credit Valley Park.
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By Kimberley Laird, Associate, Marketing and Communications