Mission
To preserve the natural, historical, scenic, and recreational value of the Magnetawan River Watershed for the benefit of future generations through land and conservation easement acquisition for the purpose of conservation and stewardship.
HOW WE PROTECT LAND
MWLT provides landowners with options to permanently conserve and protect their land. We aim to permanently protect private land with natural, historical, scenic, and/or recreational value for the benefit of the community. This is done by acquiring land, or interests in land in the following ways:
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accepting donations of land
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purchasing land
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partial donation and partial purchase of land
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accepting conservation easements on land
Acquired lands are managed to ensure permanent protection through a volunteer Stewardship Program. Management typically includes ongoing monitoring and signage; additional work is only conducted as necessary to protect significant values. Properties with conservation easements are managed slightly differently as a much more structured annual monitoring routine is required.
The Magnetawan Watershed Land Trust is a member of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance (OLTA). The OLTA supports one of the largest land trust communities in the world, promoting land conservation and preservation that protects critical environmental assets, endangered species, and benefits Ontario communities. The alliance represents 120,000 individuals and members working together to protect over 90,000 acres of land with both of these numbers growing every year. OLTA promotes and assists our members and associates through training, education, and communications, as we collectively connecting communities, promoting land trusts, and acting to influence policy and support stakeholders.
Support Ontario land trusts and protect the land you love!
PROTECTED PROPERTIES
Old Man's Creek Reserve
In July 2012, American Friends of Canadian Conservation (AFoCC) and MWLT partnered to complete the donation of 97 ha (240 ac) of mixed upland and lowland forests surrounding Old Man’s Creek. The land was gifted by a U.S. taxpayer who purchased it to permanently protect its two waterfalls and 610m (2000 ft) of frontage on Old Man’s Creek. The riffles, pools, and variety of aquatic vegetation in the creek's corridor provide an array of habitats for aquatic species, as well as fish spawning grounds.
AFoCC subsequently transferred the property to MWLT to create Old Man’s Creek
Reserve (OMCR) after it had demonstrated its stewardship abilities. The Reserve is
open to the public for hiking, paddling, and nature enjoyment, but remains in a natural
state with no improvements.
In 2012 the MWLT also purchased Lot 3, a prime piece of shoreline abutting the Old Man’s Creek Reserve. Lot 3 added 5.7 ha (14 ac) and 304.8 m (1,000 ft) of
frontage on Old Man's Creek. Like OMCR, Lot 3 provides habitat for to many wildlife species such as white-tailed deer, moose, porcupine, chickadees, and warblers. A keen eye may spot a fisher or signs of wolves. Together with the Old Man's Creek Reserve this property is home to two bird and one turtle species at risk and provides a nesting habitat for the silver-haired bat.
If you'd like to read more about this property, please click here.
The Cove Conservation Easement
Our first conservation easement, which Environment Canada designated as an ecologically significant property, includes 5.9 ha (14.5 ac) and 304.8 m (1000 ft) of Ahmic Lake shorefront. The Cove contains a variety of habitats, some of which are considered potential habitats for 8 endangered species.
Foley Mountain
Foley Mountain is a 78.9 ha (195 ac) parcel of land which includes an old-growth cedar forest, wetland, and a creek with a waterfall. Richard and Catherine Foley feel strongly about preserving their property, and the Land Trust is honoured that they have chosen us to help them fulfill this goal.
Your Board
Howard Rosen
President
Christie Totman
Vice President
Ian Cays
Secretary
Shelley Chemnitz
Treasurer
Whit Conrad
Lands Committee Chair
Barry Graham
Past President
Louise Verity
Director
Molly Terlevich
Director
David Badham
Director
Brian Chemnitz
Director
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Sam Candler
Director
Kevin White
Director
Callan Cook
Communications Chair
Your Staff
Kristina Kostuk
Executive Coordinator
