A scenic and ecologically rich property near Mountain Lake on Ontario’s Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula is now protected, thanks to a generous land donation to the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC).
The 46-hectare property, located southeast of Wiarton, features a mosaic of forests, wetlands and regenerating fields that provide habitat for a wide range of species, including several that are at risk.
The property includes mature deciduous forest featuring sugar maple and American beech, wetlands that support species such as the provincially endangered black ash and nesting bald eagles and regenerating fields that provide habitat for grassland birds like bobolink and eastern meadowlark.
The Hon. Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change said that the conservation of 46 hectares of forests, wetlands, and regenerating fields in the Wiarton area marks a meaningful step in strengthening ecological connectivity on the Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula in Ontario. “This generous donation to the Nature Conservancy of Canada under the Ecological Gifts Program will help protect ecologically sensitive lands and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.”
The property also supports an amazing diversity of ferns that thrive in the forests and wetlands across the property. The provincially rare walking fern and federally-listed at-risk American Hart’s-tongue fern can be found clinging to the escarpment ridges and boulders scattered across the property and supports wide-ranging mammals such as American black bear.
Bald eagles often return to the same nest year after year, adding new branches each year. The presence of nesting eagles at Mountain Lake is a great indicator of ecological health, proof that protected habitats help provide this iconic species with the space they need to thrive.
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This donation strengthens a vital ecological corridor on the Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula, linking protected areas and helping wildlife to move freely across the landscape. These connected natural spaces are key to building landscape resilience, helping species adapt and migrate as conditions shift.
The forests and wetlands at Mountain Lake store carbon in their trees, roots and soils, helping to slow the pace of climate change. These intact ecosystems act like natural climate regulators, quietly working behind the scenes to clean the air, filter water and support biodiversity. They also safeguard clean water, support pollinators and buffer nearby communities from flooding and extreme weather. The benefits extend well beyond the property’s boundaries, contributing to a healthier, more resilient region for both nature and people.
The family and long-time stewards of the land have donated the property to NCC under Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program, which offers enhanced tax incentives for individuals or corporations who donate ecologically sensitive land. Their gift ensures that this important landscape will be protected forever for future generations and cared for by NCC.
“The Nature Conservancy of Canada is deeply grateful to the donors for their generous gift. This ecologically rich property connected to surrounding conservation lands strengthens an important movement corridor for wide ranging mammals and migratory birds on the Saugeen Peninsula. As a key piece of the regional conservation puzzle, it helps ensure that both wildlife and the community can continue to thrive. We are honoured to be entrusted with its care,” said Esme Batten, Program Director Midwestern Ontario, Nature Conservancy of Canada.
“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,” added the Honourable Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State (Nature)
