On Monday, November 21, 2022, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) announced the details of a 1.7M investment over five years to support Kawartha Land Trust’s (KLT) “Sequestering Kawarthas’ Carbon Through Partners in Conservation” project through the ECCC’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF).
The goal of this ambitious project is to protect CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalents) conversion through the protection of more than 2,000 acres of natural habitat in the Kawarthas.
KLT will accomplish this goal by inspiring landowner participation in protecting carbon on their lands through a mix of short-term and permanent land protection options and the outright purchase and protection of land with high carbon storage value. These efforts will also enhance vital habitat for plant and animal species in the Kawarthas, including a number of species at risk.
“Canada matters in the global fight to conserve and protect biodiversity. We are home to twenty-four percent of the world’s wetlands, twenty-five percent of temperate rainforest areas, and twenty-eight percent of remaining boreal forests. These ecosystems are globally significant as they absorb carbon, mitigate against the impacts of climate change, and protect biodiversity. But we won’t stop there. We wish to see the world adopt Canadians’ ambition on nature conservation, which is what will drive Canada’s position at the Nature COP in Montréal in December.” – The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“We are so lucky in the Kawarthas to live where people have been caring for the land for generations, leaving a lasting natural legacy for today,” said John Kintare, Executive Director of Kawartha Land Trust. “
“The funding from ECCC’s Nature Smart Climate Solution Fund will allow Kawartha Land Trust to reach out to key landowners across our landscape to help them understand the part their land plays in our local ecosystem. We will work with all who are willing to secure important carbon stores and enhance land management so that our local lands can have a global impact.”
Kawartha Land Trust is also pleased to announce that with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through the federal Department of Environment and Climate Change’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, it has recently protected over 200 additional acres of wetlands and forest in the Kawarthas.
The newly protected 200+ acres includes 154 acres in Kawartha Lakes and 58 acres in Otonabee-South Monaghan township. Both properties include Provincially Significant Wetlands (PSW) and the Kawartha Lakes property is noted as an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI). The securement of these two properties ensures their natural features and important carbon storage capabilities will be protected from future development.
Kawartha Land Trust now protects over 5,070 acres of land in the Kawarthas, which includes 1,739 acres of wetlands.
About Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF):
The Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF) is a $631-million, 10-year fund to support projects that restore and enhance wetlands, peatlands and grasslands that store and capture carbon. Nature-based solutions are actions that conserve, sustainably manage, and restore ecosystems, helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change, build resilience and improve water quality, and provide critical habitat for Canada’s wildlife.
Conserving and restoring nature is fundamental to mitigating and adapting to climate change. The climate and nature crises are inextricably linked. Climate change is altering the water cycle, resulting in flooding, droughts, and wildfires. It is one of the key drivers of biodiversity loss, which is proceeding at an unprecedented rate with up to one million species currently at risk of extinction. Canada is committed to nature-based solutions to build resilience and help Canada meet its 2030 and 2050 climate change objectives.
About Kawartha Land Trust (KLT)
Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) is a dynamic land conservation charity with an impressive track record of growth. Our mission is to care for the lands entrusted to us and help others protect the land they love in the Kawarthas. We create nature reserves for future generations by acquiring ecologically important properties and/or interests in properties. We also enhance our stewardship of the land by engaging landowners in land care initiatives through our Partners in Conservation program.
Founded in 2001, KLT now protects 30 properties that include more than 5,070 acres of ecologically diverse lands, some of which include hiking trails that introduce thousands of people to nature in the Kawarthas every year. We have achieved our successes through the work of our dedicated and growing team of donors, volunteers and supporters. Together, we can ensure more natural spaces in the Kawarthas are preserved forever.
KLT works within the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig Territory and we are dedicated to continuing to create meaningful connections and relationships with First Nations communities in our region as we build upon these connections.
Published November 22, 2022
