This spring, community members from the area came together with one goal — to raise the $450,000 needed to protect nature close to Four Mile Lake. Not only did generous donors succeed in permanently protecting vital wildlife habitat from possible future development, but they also contributed to the health of the lake for years to come.
The open cattail marsh and mixed Cedar and Maple swamp on the property are connected to Soap Lake in the north and flow into Four Mile Lake. “Feeder” wetlands like these are important to maintaining local water quality.
“Last September, I was surprised to learn that 00 Hugill Road was listed for sale,” shared Ian Morton, local resident and volunteer fundraiser for this conservation project.
“This 100+ acre tract includes creeks and wetlands that help supply Four Mile Lake, supports a diversity of birdlife and other fauna, and sits along an escarpment with a mixed hardwood forest in ecological transition. I enjoy walking along its perimeter and am reminded how rare it is to find land of this scale and natural character still intact — especially so close to our lake. Preserving this landscape as a natural legacy is deeply important to me.”
In the coming weeks and months, you might see KLT staff on the property conducting stewardship work. We hope you’ll say hello.
More details will be shared in the coming weeks regarding the protection of this property. If you’d like to stay in touch, you can sign up for KLT’s e-newsletter.
If you have questions regarding the protection of this new nature reserve, please reach out to us at [email protected] or 705-743-5599.
You can learn more about Kawartha Land Trust on our About Us page.
Thank you for protecting the land you love!
