The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is announcing the protection of a 46-hectare property near Mountain Lake, southeast of Wiarton, thanks to a generous land donation from a local family.
The conservancy says in a release, “This mosaic of forests, wetlands, and regenerating fields provides habitat for species at risk, including Hart’s-tongue fern, black ash, bobolink (a type of bird), and nesting bald eagles which are an indicator of ecosystem health.”
The NCC says, “The donation, made by the Van Dorp family through the Government of Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program, strengthens a vital ecological corridor in the region, helping wildlife move freely and enhancing landscape resilience in the face of climate change for our communities.”
Federal Liberal MP for Châteauguay-Les Jardins-de-Napierville and Secretary of State (Nature) Nathalie Provost, says in a statement, “The conservation of 46 hectares in the Wiarton, Ontario, area demonstrates how land donations through the Ecological Gifts Program can contribute to long-term environmental protection. Thanks to the VanDorp family for their generous contribution and the Nature Conservancy of Canada for their role in securing this ecologically sensitive land. As we mark 30 years of the Ecological Gifts Program, we recognize the impact of Canadians who choose to protect nature for future generations.”