The Land Conservancy for Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (Land Conservancy for KFLA) is pleased to announce the addition of an 88-hectare (217 acre) property to its growing list of nature reserves in the KFLA region. The property, situated near Parham, is adjacent to an existing Land Conservancy property – the Fourth Lake Nature Reserve. Together, the two properties conserve a total of 169 hectares (417 acres) of land for nature.
“The property is a generous gift from Michael and Susan Rehner” notes Thom Snowman, a Director with the Land Conservancy for KFLA, who led this project. The property features significant wetlands and surface waters, and extensive areas of diverse Canadian Shield forest cover. “To date we have observed over 250 species. The donation is a wonderful addition that supports our long-term land protection objectives.”
For the Rehners, the decision to entrust land they had enjoyed for over 25 years to the Land Conservancy for KFLA was an obvious one. “Over the years we have watched with great regret Ontario woodlands, wetlands, and natural areas replaced by residential and commercial developments, with the consequent loss of habitat and biodiversity,” says Susan Rehner. “The need for large natural areas set aside for nature, especially ones that can be linked, is critical.”
The property has been secured with the support of the Government of Ontario and Ontario Land Trust Alliance, through the Greenlands Conservation Partnership, reports Marc Sandaluk, Director and Communications Chair for the Land Conservancy for KFLA. The funding 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 NCC and the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, and other levels of government.
“We are expanding the amount of conserved green space across the province, not only to help preserve the environment, but to promote physical activity such as hiking and improving our mental health,” said Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “By taking this approach, our government will be leaving a magnificent legacy for the benefit of future generations. It has been wonderful to be working with outstanding conservation leaders like the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Ontario Land Trust Alliance to achieve our shared goals.”
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 12 properties totaling 400 hectares (1000 acres) of land conserved for nature, forever.