One way to protect nature and counter climate change is by protecting land in its natural state. That’s one reason why Canada joined other countries in setting an ambitious goal of protecting 30 percent of its land and water by the year 2030. This “30 by 30” goal for Canada is part of an international campaign agreed to at an international climate change conference in 2022 as a key way of combatting climate change.
However, so far only 13.7 percent of Canada’s land has been protected. In Ontario the situation is even worse. In fact, Ontario is the worst province in Canada for nature conservation, according to a new national report card from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS). Only 10.9 percent of land has been conserved for the future in our province.
That’s why organizations like the Kawartha Land Trust are so important. This land trust charity now protects 44 properties in our region, encompassing 8,100 acres in total. And it continues to grow, having recently added the 751-acre MapleCross John Wolfe Forest Preserve to its holdings. Located north of Norwood, this forest preserve is KLT’s third-largest property.
“It’s exciting,” says KLT executive director John Kintare. “This forest could have been clearcut.” But thanks to funding from individual donors, two foundations, and a federal government program, KLT was able to add it to its roster of protected lands.
Kintare is especially pleased that the MapleCross John Wolfe Forest preserve is adjacent to a 4,800 block of the Peterborough Country Forest, thus enhancing a large area of protected forest. Over 280 acres of the property is made up of hardwood forest including Sugar Maple, Red Oak, and Iron Wood. Other species present include Basswood, White Birch, and Trembling Aspen. This nature preserve also features a Red Oak forest, Cedar forest, and a stand of planted Red Pines. Trail cameras have observed Moose, Black Bear, Flying Squirrels, Great Blue Herons, Coyotes, and Fishers.
The public will not be able to access the MapleCross Reserve because it contains many species that require secluded forest in order to thrive, and to because it is not easily accessible. However, KLT has ten other properties that people can hike on.
KLT is also involved in tree planting efforts, such as at its Rousel-Steffler Memorial Sanctuary, where a new section of forest is being planted every year.
Find out more about Kawartha Land Trust at www.kawarthalandtrust.org, including ways in which you can volunteer to help sustain their work.
