KINGSTON, Ontario. December 6, 2022
The Land Conservancy for Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (Land Conservancy for KFLA) is excited to announce the addition of a new conservation property. This ecologically significant land has been named the Somerville Nature Reserve.
The new property features 60-hectares of unspoiled nature and has common features found in the Eastern Ontario Canadian Shield region, including, granite outcrops, mixed deciduous and coniferous forest, and wetlands. Along with a long list of native species identified, species at risk include Eastern Ribbon Snake, Gray Rat Snake, Eastern Wood Pewee, and Monarch.
The property is the generous donation of Betty and Keith Somerville whose wish it is to see this natural beauty protected from development, forever. Mr. Somerville recounts his early love of spending time in nature saying:
“I took great joy in sitting quietly in the woods or on the water, enjoying the sights and smells, watching the wildlife that surrounded me. I loved being on the water and became an avid four-seasons fisherman.”
He goes on to note that his dream has been to see TerreOak (now Somerville Nature Reserve) protected in perpetuity.
The property has been secured with the support of the Government of Ontario through the Greenlands Conservation Partnership, which helps conserve ecologically important natural areas and protect wetlands, grasslands and forests that help mitigate the effects of climate change. Through the Greenlands Conservation Partnership, a total of $50 million will be invested over four years, including $20 million from the Ontario government, and another $30 million from other sources, such as individual donations and foundation support through the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, and other levels of government.
The Land Conservancy for KFLA is a non-profit, non-governmental, all volunteer effort. Its purpose is to acquire and steward conservation lands to ensure that future generations can continue to benefit from the region’s rich natural heritage. The Land Conservancy for KFLA currently protects 13 properties totaling 452 hectares (1117 acres) of land conserved for nature, forever.