THE COUCHICHING CONSERVANCY
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WASHAGO, ON – The Couchiching Conservancy has acquired 295 hectares (728 acres) of important natural habitat, including 4.4 kms of shoreline along one of the last wild rivers in southern Ontario: the Black River.
The property is one of several private parcels inside the boundaries of Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park. The region provides habitat for several species listed by SARA (Species at Risk Act) including: Blanding’s turtle (Endangered), snapping turtle (Special Concern), eastern hog-nosed snake (Threatened). In addition it is home to Ontario’s only lizard, the five-lined skink (Endangered), and numerous at-risk bird species.
Protecting the tract will improve the ecological integrity of the park and strengthen wildlife corridors. This protection will also secure a rare deep-sand valley left behind by receding glaciers more than 10,000 years ago.
With support from hundreds of donors, including a major contribution by the Government of Canada through the Natural Areas Conservation Program (NACP), The Couchiching Conservancy was able to secure the property. The funds raised cover the price of the property, legal and appraisal costs, and a stewardship endowment fund that will ensure the organization can permanently care for the property.
The Government of Canada's Natural Areas Conservation Program (NACP) is a unique public-private partnership to conserve land across southern Canada. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) manages the program. Federal funds are matched by contributions raised by NCC and its partners. Habitat conserved under the NACP enhances natural corridors and other protected areas.
“I congratulate The Couchiching Conservancy for its work in the protection of 295 hectares of important southern Ontario habitat, through the Natural Areas Conservation Program. Our Government is committed to working with our partners to protect and recover Canada’s species at risk such as the Endangered Blanding’s turtle, and the many other species that call this valley home. By working together, we can all make a difference for Canada’s wildlife.” - Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada
"This contribution from Environment and Climate Change Canada is a critical building-block in our campaign to raise the funds necessary to protect the Black River Wildlands," said Doug Christie, president of the Orillia-based land trust. "We are really grateful that the federal government recognizes the importance of this community-driven effort to protect such a beautiful tract, so close to a large urban population."
“The Nature Conservancy of Canada applauds the work of The Couchiching Conservancy in its efforts to preserve this important shoreline area and the many species that rely on it,” said John Lounds, president and chief executive officer. “Through the Natural Areas Conservation Program, NCC is pleased to partner with Environment and Climate Change Canada and groups across the country on the protection of important habitats”.
About The Couchiching Conservancy
The Couchiching Conservancy is one of the leading regional land trusts in Ontario. A non-government, charitable organization, it has helped protect close to 5260 hectares of important natural habitat in the Lake Couchiching region since 1993. Wherever possible, the lands are accessible to the public for the responsible enjoyment of nature.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962, NCC and its partners have helped to protect more than 1.1 million hectares (2.8 million acres), coast to coast to coast. To learn more, visit www.natureconservancy.ca.
For more information on the Natural Areas Conservation Program, please visit:
The Couchiching Conservancy 'what we do' webpage
For information on The Black River Wildlands Project, please contact:
- Tanya Clark, Development Coordinator: 705-326-1620; [email protected]
- Mark Bisset, Executive Director: 705-326-1620; [email protected]
For more information, go to:
The Couchiching Conservation protect the black river wild-lands project website
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