KAWARTHA LAKES-Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) announced the conservation of five new properties: Roussel-Steffler Memorial Sanctuary, O’Leary Family Wetland, Wittek Property, Found Property, and Roscarrock Conservation Easement.
“It’s always exciting to be able to announce the protection of more of the land we love in the Kawarthas and even more so when we’re able to share the news of five newly protected areas at the same time. The conservation of these lands is the result of the incredible investments made by our donors, partners, and volunteers over the past 20 years.” said John Kintare, Executive Director, Kawartha Land Trust.
Officials say the Roussel-Steffler Memorial Sanctuary project was made possible by the Government of Canada through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, part of Canada’s Nature Fund. The O’Leary Family Wetland, Wittek Property, and Found Property were secured with funding from Environment Canada and Climate Change’s (ECCC) Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, while Roscarrock Conservation Easement was secured with funding from ECCC’s Habitat Stewardship Program.
Combined, KLT’s newest nature reserves and conservation easement comprise 224 acres, bringing the charity’s total protected properties to 39 and protected lands to over 6,950 acres.
The newly announced properties feature a variety of habitats that contribute to the amazing biodiversity of the Kawarthas, including natural shoreline, wetlands, forests, fields, and meadows.
The Roussel-Steffler Memorial Sanctuary’s 102 acres in Douro-Dummer Township is home to coniferous and deciduous swamps, forests, fields, and a meadow. The property is a haven for wildlife, including at-risk species like Western Chorus Frog (Great Lakes / St. Lawrence – Canadian Shield population), Wood Thrush, Eastern Meadowlark, and Monarch Butterfly whose at-risk status was recently up-listed from Special Concern to Endangered on Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA).
“Ontarians value their natural surroundings greatly. Working together with partners like the Kawartha Land Trust and generous landowners, we are dedicated to protecting, restoring, and enhancing wildlife habitats. This effort strengthens ecosystems and helps them absorb and store carbon while helping to protect species at risk, like the Monarch Butterfly and the Western Chorus Frog. With support from the Government of Canada through programs like the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, the Ecological Gifts Program, the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, and the Habitat Stewardship Program, we are actively helping Canada reach its goal of conserving 30 percent of land and water by 2030.” stated Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Kawartha Land Trust’s individual donors, funding partners, supporters, and volunteers have expanded KLT’s protected lands to over 6,950 acres, providing additional safe havens for wildlife in the Kawarthas and securing important ecological landscapes to help combat climate change
Learn more about Kawartha Land Trust’s newest nature reserves at:
● Additional information: Kawartha Land Trust Conserves Five New Properties in the Kawarthas: https://kawarthalandtrust.org/kawartha-land-trust-conserves-five-new-properties/
● Roussel-Steffler Memorial Sanctuary (located in Douro-Dummer Township): https://kawarthalandtrust.org/protected-properties/roussel-steffler-memorial-sanctuary/
● O’Leary Family Wetland (located in City of Kawartha Lakes): https://kawarthalandtrust.org/protected-properties/oleary-family-wetland/
● Wittek Property (located in Selwyn Township): https://kawarthalandtrust.org/protected-properties/wittek-property/
● Found Property (located in City of Kawartha Lakes): https://kawarthalandtrust.org/protected-properties/found-property/
● Roscarrock Conservation Easement (located in Selwyn Township): https://kawarthalandtrust.org/protected-properties/roscarrock-easement/
