Donated through the final estate of Kenneth Found, Kawartha Land Trust’s three-acre Found Property is located in the City of Kawartha Lakes.

The marsh on this property provides vital habitat for wetland species in the area. Plant species seen on the property include cattails, Red Osier Dogwood, Ash trees, and Alder shrubs.

On KLT’s initial visit to the property, a River Otter was spotted swimming in the river that runs next to the wetland. Habitat loss and environmental pollution affect populations of River Otters throughout their range. Keeping our rivers, lakes, and wetlands clean and protecting and restoring riparian areas are just two ways we can support our local populations of this beloved animal. ⁠

The Found Property is located directly adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park and adds additional natural and protected land to the area.

This property was secured with support from Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF).

Canada’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF) is a $1.4 billion, ten-year fund (2021–2031) administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada to help conserve, restore, and enhance the management of ecosystems such as wetlands, forests, and grasslands, in order to help tackle the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. The NSCSF will focus on three main objectives: (1) conserving carbon-rich ecosystems at high risk of conversion to other uses that would release their stored carbon; (2) improving land management practices to reduce their greenhouse gas emission-causing impacts on Canada’s ecosystems; and (3) restoring degraded ecosystems. Overall, these projects will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and increased carbon sequestration, while also providing benefits for biodiversity and human well-being.

A portion of this project was 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.