Municipality of Trent Lakes
Established 2023
1,412
Protected Acres
Donor:
Open to public:
Protection:
In February 2024, Kawartha Land Trust was proud to announce the purchase of the largest conservation property in our history — the Hammer Family Nature Preserve.
At 1,412 acres, the Hammer Family Nature Preserve is among the most significant acquisitions of private land for conservation in Peterborough County in the last 50 years. The permanent protection of this ecologically significant property and community asset is an achievement that KLT donors, volunteers, supporters, and funders can be proud of.
The property is located in Lakehurst in the Municipality of Trent Lakes and is home to wetlands, remnant oak savannah, forests, fields, and natural shoreline along Pigeon Lake. The preservation of this property ensures the protection of its important ecological values, maintains vital natural connectivity in the region, and provides future opportunities for public access and nature connection.
It is also tremendously well-situated close to other conserved lands in the region, including KLT’s Big (Boyd/Chiminis) Island and Parks Canada’s John Earle Chase Memorial Park, which is managed by KLT.
An incredible array of wildlife has been seen on the property including at-risk species like Red-headed Woodpecker, Barn Swallow, Monarch Butterfly, Canada Warbler, and Western Chorus Frog.
We’ve only just begun to discover the incredible biodiversity of KLT’s largest nature preserve, but already volunteers and visiting naturalists have documented some of the incredible biodiversity on the site, including Big Bluestem, Little Bluestem, Butternut Trees, Black Ash, American Beech, Osprey, Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Ruffed Grouse, Beaver, River Otter, Common Merganser, Monarch Butterfly, Northern Harrier, White-Tailed Deer, Porcupine, and many others.
While the Hammer Family Nature Preserve is not currently open to the public, KLT is currently working on a comprehensive engagement plan to connect with Williams Treaties First Nations, local stakeholders, and community partners to inform future stewardship plans, partnerships, and public access to the property, all while maintaining and strengthening the ecological values of KLT’s largest nature reserve.
For up-to-date information on the engagement process, please review the Community Engagement and Expressions of Interest on this webpage and sign up for our e-newsletter.
In addition to the generosity of private donors, KLT’s Hammer Family Nature Preserve was protected with the generous support of two funders:
The Hammer Family Nature Preserve was protected through Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund.
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.
The Hammer Family Nature Preserve was protected through the Government of Ontario’s Greenlands Conservation Partnership Program
The Government of Ontario’s Greenlands Conservation Partnership program 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 $38 million has been invested to date by the Ontario government. Additional match funds are raised from other sources, such as individual donations and foundation support through the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, and other levels of government.
KLT is undertaking a comprehensive community engagement process with Williams Treaties First Nations, local stakeholders, and community partners to inform future stewardship plans, partnerships, and public access to the property, all while maintaining and strengthening the ecological values of KLT’s largest nature reserve.
In addition to rare habitat types, agricultural land, and opportunities for outdoor recreation, the property also features two houses and a 15-bedroom historic lodge that was built in 1912. The three buildings are located on Sandy Point and situated along a beautiful parklike setting.
The buildings and agricultural lands are opportunities to develop new or expanded partnerships with First Nations, organizations, agencies, and/or groups that promote activities that rely upon land or would benefit from the natural setting of the property.
KLT envisions that the Hammer Family Nature Preserve will become a hub for land-based connection, learning, and relations. A place where the community can collaborate together on nature restoration projects, ecological farming practices, embracing and implementing traditional First Nations land care practices, and enjoying being on the land we love.
Throughout 2024, KLT has had the privilege to welcome representatives from some of the First Nations within the Williams Treaty First Nations, community organizations, and community leaders to discuss possible land-based collaborations.
The vision for the Hammer Family Nature Preserve will continue to be refined in 2025 as we continue to develop our community-informed plan for the property. Current expressions of interest opportunities will be listed below.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Thom Unrau, Director of Community Conservation, at [email protected] or 705-743-5599, ext. 4.
Expressions of Interest (EOI) for Building Lease
Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) is seeking partners to take on long-term leases of the three buildings on our Hammer Family Nature Preserve.
Each of the three buildings will require significant investments for renovations/improvements, however, they represent truly unparalleled opportunities to establish a base of operations for First Nations, organizations, agencies, and/or groups in a place of natural abundance.
Expressions of Interest Document (PDF)
All expressions of interest are due by April 1, 2025
If you have any questions, please contact Thom Unrau, Director of Community Conservation, at [email protected] or 705-743-5599, ext. 4.
