Located within the Stoney Creek Watershed, KLT’s Stoney Creek Meadow nature reserve is a wildlife haven. Over 45% of the property is comprised of wildlife corridors that allow wildlife to travel safely over the landscape. Stoney Creek flows through the property, providing vital habitat for turtles and coldwater species like Brook Trout.

The majority of KLT’s Stoney Creek Meadow property is made up of two pastures where grassland bird species like the Bobolink have been spotted. While visiting the nature reserve, KLT staff spotted or heard a number of bird species in the pasture, including Savannah Sparrow, Canada Warbler, Red-Tailed Hawk, Eastern Meadowlark, Vesper Sparrow, American Goldfinch and others.

The property also features six acres of lowland coniferous forest and seven acres of deciduous swamp. Within the swamp, Red Maple, Trembling Aspen, and White Elm are found.

Prior to the donation, 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 of the pasture, allowing both active agriculture and stewardship activities to co-exist side-by-side.

KLT is thankful to the landowners for their generous donation and care for nature.

The permanent protection of KLT’s Stoney Creek Meadow nature reserve was 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.

A portion of this conservation 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.