About Us
The Magnetawan Watershed Land Trust is a charitable organization dedicated to permanently protecting the natural, historical, scenic, and recreational values of Ahmic Lake and the Magnetawan River watershed. We were founded by a group of Ahmic Lake cottagers who saw a need for offering conservation options to landowners, to help preserve the land they loved. Through the diligent work of dedicated volunteers and a supportive community, we saw the value in expanding our mission to include conservation through education.
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Since 2009, the Magnetawan Watershed Land Trust has protected:
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187.6 hectares (463.5 acres) of land
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1,219.2 metres (4,000 feet) of shoreline
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3 waterfalls
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Old growth forest
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Wetlands
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Fish spawning grounds
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The habitats of 3 species at risk
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The potential habitats of 8 endangered species, all in perpetuity!
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And with your support, more to come!
Our History
In July 2012, the first land protection success was celebrated. Ted Rouse donated 97 ha (240 ac) of mixed upland forest and lowland forests that flank Old Man’s Creek. Click here to learn more about the Old Man's Creek Reserve. This project was made possible through the American Friends of Canadian Land Trusts land grantee program.
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This was followed closely by a donation from Geoff Garth, which allowed the Land Trust to acquire ‘Lot 3’, a prime piece of shoreline abutting the Old Man’s Creek lot. Click here to read more about Lot 3.
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In July 2015, the transfer of the title of the Old Man’s Creek Property from American Friends to the Magnetawan Watershed Land Trust was completed.
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In 2017 the MWLT acquired its first conservation easement, the Cove. A debt of gratitude is owed to the Rouse family for this donation. The Cove donation includes 6.2ha (15.4 ac) and 300m (1000ft) of shoreline on Ahmic Lake. Environment Canada, designated the Cove as an ecologically significant property. Click here to learn more about this ecologically sensitive property.
In 2018 Rick and Catherine Foley initiated a generous bequest donation of 195 acres of land in the Magnetawan River watershed. The Foleys plan on leaving the ‘Foley Mountain’ property to the MWLT in their wills, along with funds to preserve and protect it, in perpetuity. This preservation work has already begun. Mr. Foley allowed the MWLT to station bat monitoring sensors on the property this past autumn as part of our ongoing efforts to learn more about these animals of which two species are now critically endangered. Learn more about this property here.
Our History
In July 2012, the first land protection success was celebrated. Ted Rouse donated 97 ha (240 ac) of mixed upland forest and lowland forests that flank Old Man’s Creek. Click here to learn more about the Old Man's Creek Reserve. This project was made possible through American Friends of Canadian Conservation (formerly American Friends of Canadian Land Trusts) land grantee program.
​
This was followed closely by a donation from Geoff Garth, which allowed the Land Trust to acquire ‘Lot 3’, a prime piece of shoreline abutting the Old Man’s Creek lot. Click here to read more about Lot 3.
​
In July 2015, the transfer of the title of the Old Man’s Creek Property from American Friends to the Magnetawan Watershed Land Trust was completed.
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Our Board
Barry Graham
President
Howard Rosen
Vice President &
Investment Committee Chair
Ian Cays
Secretary
Shelley Chemnitz
Treasurer
Edward Foster
Stewardship
Committee Chair
Christie Totman
Development
Committee Chair
Whit Conrad
Lands
Committee Chair
Sarah Fleming
Communications
Committee Chair
David Badham
10th Anniversary Ad Hoc
Committee Chair
Louise Verity
Director
Brian Chemnitz
Director
Sam Candler
Director
Molly Terlevich
Director
Our Staff
Kristen Callow
Executive Coordinator
Mike Peppard
Stewardship/Communications
Coordinator
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A Big Shout Out to Our Partners
