A property in southeast Gravenhurst that measures 597 acres has been purchased by the Muskoka Conservancy.
Scott Young, executive director, says it’s the largest nature reserve acquired by the organization, surpassing the 419-acre Bear Cave-Koetitz Nature Reserve that was added to their portfolio in 2022.
“Muskoka Conservancy’s immediate priority is to get to know the land, its ecosystems, habitat types and species,” he says. “Based on that, we will develop a conservation plan that prioritizes nature conservation. In the not-too-distant future, we would like very much to offer this new reserve as a hiking destination for nature lovers.”
He adds the plan is to explore if the property can be used for educational programming, bird watching, nature photography, and recreational activities like hiking or snowshoeing.
Young explains it borders the Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park. It features mature mixed forests, rock barrens, wetlands, a small lake and multiple kilometers of trails.
Amanda Porter, conservation coordinator, says the property features multiple species-at-risk, like the Blanding’s turtle, Eastern Hog-nosed snake, and a handful of bird species.
“Our conservation planning will have to take these factors into consideration,” she says. “It’s a nature reserve first and foremost.”
Young says funding for the purchase came through multiple avenues, including Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions fund.
Andrea Khanjin, minister of the environment, conservation, and parks, says this is a great opportunity to create more recreational opportunities.
“Partnering with conservation leaders like the Ontario Land Trust Alliance and its members, including Muskoka Conservancy, has allowed us to expand conservation in Ontario,” she says. “Since 2020, our collaborative efforts, through the Greenlands Conservation Partnership, has resulted in the protection of 420,000 acres of environmentally sensitive land – equivalent to more than two and a half times the size of the City of Toronto.”
The Muskoka Conservancy now protects 4,597 acres across 53 properties.
