Kristyn Richardson, LPBLT and Rotarian Dolf Wynia
On March 11th, 2019, Kristyn Richardson, Program Manager of the Long Point Basin Land Trust presented an overview of the trust and its projects. The LPBLT which is based in Port Rowan, Ontario is a non-profit charitable organization that focuses on land acquisition and easements for the purpose of conservation. The majority of Land Trusts concentrate on “conserving the biological values of land, but some have been established to protect scenic, historical, agricultural and recreational lands…”
Credit: http://longpointlandtrust.ca/ website
The Long Point Basin Land Trust
All of the nine properties that the LPBLT own or managed are in Norfolk County. The acquisition strategy of the LPBLT concentrates on watersheds with priority given to wetlands, Carolinian forests, sand barrens and oak savannas. One of these properties acquired in 2018 is named the Ken McMullen and Joan Shirlow Spring Arbour Farm Nature Reserve. Joan is a member of Simcoe Rotary.
This Norfolk County of ours is a special place. Most local school children are learning about the Carolinian forest that is growing here and the species of animals and birds which are dependent on the wooded areas to live. Remove the living area and the dependent species dies. Unfortunately, there are a number of species such as the Monarch Butterfly which are threatened. Ms. Richardson tells us of the efforts to learn more about the Monarch Butterfly by “tagging” them with a sticker. Even the 4,000 km fall migration from Canada and other areas to Mexico is threatened by insecticides and the lack of areas for their “food”.
Wikipedia defines Carolinian forest as… “a life zone in eastern North America characterized primarily by a predominance of deciduous (broad-leaf) trees. The term "Carolinian forest",is used primarily in Canada, and therefore often refers only to the northernmost portion of the overall region, in Southern Ontario”. Within the southern Ontario "Carolinian forest", you find a diversity of trees such as ash, beech, American Chestnut, oak, hickory as well as hard and soft maple, butternut, black gum, sassafras, tulip and walnut. For generations, the forest has been home to various animal and plant species. Conservationists believe that the Carolinian forest contains among the most beautiful and rare trees in Ontario and Canada.
There were a number of “takeaways” from her presentation:
● 95 % of the Carrollian region is privately owned and many of the important lands are situated within the LPBLT area
● Twelve of the nineteen species of reptiles found in Norfolk are at risk
● Two new species of months have discovered with the likelihood of more discoveries
● Explore the Outdoors in Norfolk and join the LPBLT guided tours.
Major Land Acquisition Underway
It’s going to cost $ 950,000 but a 78-hectare (193 acre) property south of the Town of Delhi will be a connecting stepping-stone to the oak savanna parts of the Norfolk Sand plain. Funding is 95 % confirmed with $ 47, 500 needed before the end of March. Visit the website at http://longpointlandtrust.ca/ to donate. This is the kind of donation that makes you feel good.
E-mail: general@longpointlandtrust.ca
Telephone: 1-844-755-9498 Toll Free