Thanks to forward-thinking, nature-minded landowners, Kawartha Land Trust protects 147 acres of nature and agricultural lands in the City of Kawartha Lakes.
As the first signs of fall reveal themselves across the Kawarthas and we enter the season of thanks, Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) is grateful to share that it has protected two ecologically significant properties in the City of Kawartha Lakes for future generations — KLT’s Stoney Creek Meadow nature reserve and Maitman Sutton Conservation Easement Agreement (CEA).
These two conservation successes were made possible by the landowners’ dedication to preserving nature and your support.
Located within the Stoney Creek Watershed, KLT’s Stoney Creek Meadow nature reserve is a wildlife haven. The 91-acre property was generously donated to KLT to ensure its permanent protection by two landowners who wish to remain anonymous.
“The owners loved this land for generations, but realized they could not care for it long into the future,” said John Kintare, Executive Director.
“We’re extremely grateful for the trust they put in Kawartha Land Trust to help create their conservation legacy and ensure both nature and agriculture in the region continue to thrive.”
At a time when the world is facing a global biodiversity crisis, the protection of vital habitats that support wildlife in the Kawarthas is more important than ever.
Almost half of KLT’s Stoney Creek Meadow makes up vital wildlife corridors, which allow wildlife in the region to travel safely across the land to the habitats they need to survive.
Prior to the donation of the property, a section of pasture was used for light cattle grazing. KLT will continue the relationship with a local farmer to allow for both sustainable cattle grazing on a section of the pasture and plan for meadow restoration for grassland birds in another section, allowing both active agriculture and active stewardship activities to co-exist side-by-side.
“If done right, rotational grazing can preserve grassland habitat while allowing for sustainable grazing,” said Hayden Wilson, Land Stewardship Manager.
“And that’s our goal with this property — to maintain both the natural and agricultural legacy of this land.”
With thanks to the long-term thinking and vision of Mark Maitman and Dale Sutton, 56 acres of natural lands in the Pigeon Lake subwatershed are protected through a Conservation Easement Agreement (CEA).
The Maitman-Sutton CEA’s forests, mixed swamp and meadow, 90% of which make up a wildlife corridor, will remain on the landscape long in the future, contributing to natural climate solutions in the region.
“Every day, we are reminded of the interconnectedness of everything on this Earth and how fragile the health of the land, the water, the air, and all of us who share this planet are,” said Mark Maitman and Dale Sutton.
“Perhaps we cannot do much to mitigate climate change at a macro level, but we can affect this small area. We can do something.”
Maitman and Sutton purchased the property 25 years ago. They were drawn to the natural beauty of the Bethany Hills.
“We both headed immediately to the woods rather than the house,” they shared about their first visit to the property.
Since that time, they have enjoyed caring for the land and spotting the wildlife that thrives on it — from Red Fox, Porcupine, and Eastern Wild Turkey, to herons, turtles, a Black Bear that crosses through the property several times a year, and many other native species.
When asked what they would say to other landowners thinking about protecting their land or the natural elements of their land for future generations, they simply offered: “What’s stopping you?”
“KLT, and in particular our contact Thom Unrau, was there every step of the way, guiding us through and never pushing us or showing impatience with our timetable,” said Maitman and Sutton. “He made the process itself painless.”
KLT offers our enduring gratitude to the anonymous donors of the Stoney Creek Meadow nature reserve and owners of the Maitman-Sutton CEA for protecting the land they love.
These protected lands add to KLT’s nature reserves in the City of Kawartha Lakes, which, to date, include more than 2,400 acres of natural and working lands, including KLT’s Cation Wildlife Preserve (Coboconk), and Ballyduff Trails (Pontypool), two popular destinations for hikers, birders, and nature lovers like you.
The permanent protection of KLT’s Stoney Creek Meadow and Maitman-Sutton CEA were generously supported by funding received from Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund.
The ECCC-administered Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF) is a $1.4 billion, ten-year fund to reduce annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 5-7 megatonnes (Mt) by 2030. The NSCSF will achieve this by supporting projects that reduce the loss, restore, or improve the management of ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, peatlands and grasslands. These projects will also benefit important habitat for migratory birds, species at risk and other species of cultural and/or socio-economic importance to local communities.
Portions of the Stoney Creek Meadow and Maitman-Sutton CEA conservation
projects were donated to Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) under the Government of Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program.
Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program provides a way for Canadians with ecologically sensitive land to protect nature and leave a legacy for future generations. Made possible by the terms of the Income Tax Act of Canada and the Quebec Taxation Act, it offers significant tax benefits to landowners who donate land or a partial interest in land to a qualified recipient. Recipients ensure that the land’s biodiversity and environmental heritage are conserved in perpetuity.
Article photo: Midland turtles at Maitman-Sutton CEA. (Elliott Groen)
