Community Has Until September 6th to Protect Land for Sale on Ston(e)y Lake that Features Natural Shoreline
On the long weekend, while many took to the sparkling waters of the Kawarthas to enjoy swimming, fishing, and canoeing, some Ston(e)y Lake residents and local cottagers were paddling across the lake to collect pledges and gain support for a conservation project that has inspired many in the community — the protection of a 10.5-acre forested property with 200 metres of natural shoreline.
Kawartha Land Trust (KLT), the region’s local charitable land trust, must reach $1.325 million in pledges by September 6th to be able to protect the land forever.
If enough pledges are not received by the September 6th deadline, the property is at risk of being sold and developed. The organization also needs to raise $50,000 to cover closing costs. As of August 1, 2024, $471,585 in pledges have been confirmed.
“The people who love Ston(e)y Lake realize what is at stake here,” said Thom Unrau, KLT’s Director of Community Conservation.
“Many on the lake have been there for generations and have seen so much change in that time. They are not deterred by the cost of the land — they see the possibility to invest in nature and the health of nature, the lake, and community. Conservation takes diligence and commitment to go after opportunities like this one. I’m inspired by the continued community efforts to protect nature along Ston(e)y Lake.”
Owner of Viamede Resort on Ston(e)y Lake Pledges 200K
Ben Samann, owner and general manager of Viamede Resort, which is located on the north shore of Ston(e)y Lake, has come forward with a lead pledge of $200,000 to protect what’s being called the Jeffrey-Cowan Forest Preserve Extension.
The land that is for sale is directly adjacent to Kawartha Land Trust’s Jeffrey-Cowan Forest Preserve, which was established in 2018 through the final estate of Ston(e)y Lake resident Norman Cowan. The protection of the property for sale would add to the nature reserve’s protected lands and protect natural shoreline on Ston(e)y Lake.
“There’s an old proverb that says ‘the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, and the second best time is today,’ said Samann.
“With the protection of the Jeffrey-Cowan Forest Preserve Extension, we don’t have to plant those trees. Those Hemlocks and Eastern White Pines are already there and thriving and need to be saved. I hope that we can look back twenty years from now and know that we all came together to protect the land as a community.”
Samann knows the power of connecting people with nature. KLT’s popular Stony Lake Trails network winds through two of KLT’s nature reserves — Jeffrey-Cowan Forest Preserve and Ingleton-Wells property. Through a trail agreement between KLT and Viamede Resort, a lengthy section of the public trail network runs through Viamede’s property.
Volunteer Paddling for Pledges
One of the residents who has been paddling for pledges is Tina Warren. For several months, Tina has been getting into her kayak on Ston(ey) Lake to deliver pledge forms and share news and updates about the project.
Warren and partner Lois Wallace have filled out their own pledge forms…twice. Together, they updated their original pledge from $20,000 to $50,000.
“There are few opportunities in your life where you really get a chance to make the environment better for people, where you can protect a forest or shoreline from all the development we see around us,” said Warren.
“And Stoney is special. It changes you. At least it changed us, so at this stage in our lives we care more about investing in its protection than in spending the money on ourselves or our cottage…the forest will last forever if we get the funding to protect it. And that matters more.”
Over the summer, KLT has seen incredible support on the lake for the project with community members and groups. The funds raised at this year’s Stoney Lake Sprint were donated to the project. Other community groups have also come together to make contributions to the project.
The Huycke Family Pledge $100,000
The Huycke family loves Ston(e)y Lake and came forward in early July to pledge $100,000 toward the protection of the Jeffrey-Cowan Forest Preserve Extension.
The Huycke family shared, “Stony Lake is a precious place. Norman Cowan’s JCFP trails are a treasure for the community, and the opportunity to extend these trails out to Northey’s Bay is not to be missed. The Kawartha Land Trust has proven itself to be a fantastic steward of shorelines, wetlands, and landscapes around our lake and across the region. Our family is delighted to make this commitment to help KLT purchase this land…”
Jane Zeidler Donates 1.5-acre Shoreline Property KLT
Another example of generosity and commitment to the protection of the lake and the nature surrounding it was also confirmed in July. Jane Zeidler donated a 1.5-acre property to Kawartha Land Trust to protect it in perpetuity.
Zeidler originally purchased the property to ensure its protection and has now entrusted its care to KLT. The property features 125 m natural shoreline along Ston(e)y Lake and is part of the larger commitment to conservation that’s happening on the lake this summer.
Saving Natural Shoreline
Over the last 18 years, Kawartha Land Trust, with the support of donors and volunteers has protected five lakeside properties featuring almost three kilometres of shoreline along Ston(e)y and Clear Lakes: Jeffrey-Cowan Forest Preserve, Christie Bentham Wetland, Elliott CEA, East Syndicate Island, and the newly protected Zeidler property. If the Ston(e)y Lake community can reach the goal of $1.325 million in pledges by September 6th, we can bring this total of protected shorelines even higher. Natural shoreline that is vital for wildlife, biodiversity, and lake health.
And there are limited opportunities to protect the remaining natural shoreline on many of the larger lakes in our region, including Ston(e)y Lake. The Jeffrey-Cowan Forest Preserve Extension is in the top 8% of opportunities for shoreline protection on all of Ston(e)y Lake. This information was determined during a shoreline assessment and mapping project that KLT conducted in 2021 in partnership with the Environment Council for Clear, Stony and White Lakes and the Stony Lake Heritage Foundation.
“The Alliance of Cottager and Road Associations around our lake has always considered water quality and shoreline protection to be a top priority,” said Alliance Chair John McGregor.
“The efforts KLT undertakes to preserve and protect natural shoreline and create nature reserves on the lake is a critically important element to ensure our lake maintains its historical beauty and connection to nature.”
Community Must Reach $1.325M in Pledges by September 6th
Everyone at Kawartha Land Trust has been tremendously inspired by the residents and cottagers of Ston(e)y Lake who have been taking action to protect the land they love. Rather than lament the impending loss of a natural parcel of land, they took action and brought the opportunity to KLT’s attention.
KLT put in a conditional offer to protect the land, but we only have until September 6th to raise the $1.325M in pledges needed to protect the land forever and associated closing costs.
“Our lives are better when nature is protected,” said Thom Unrau, KLT’s Director of Community Conservation.
“When we have places nearby that we can visit with family and friends. Places where we can make lifelong memories. This land may seem expensive, but it’s a bargain when you think about the land and trails being there for future generations. Losing natural places like the one we’re trying to protect is what is actually costly in the long run. It continues to be a privilege to work with the Ston(e)y Lake community on this project and it is my hope that together we can permanently protect the land.”
Main photo: An iconic view. Vital natural shoreline at the property for sale that members of the Ston(e)y Lake community have been working to protect. (Tina Warren)
