Varty Lake, ON. Photo by Jennifer Gagne (NCC)
A local family has permanently protected 53 hectares of land at Varty Lake, safeguarding wildlife habitat and shoreline in Ontario’s Napanee Plain. The donation, made through Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program, was facilitated by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) with support from the Government of Ontario’s Greenlands Conservation Partnership program and private donors.
The property includes nearly 800 metres of shoreline, marsh, forests, and seasonal wetlands. It provides habitat for species such as bald eagle, common loon, eastern wood-pewee, and Canada warbler, while also filtering water and storing carbon.
“The process to secure part of our beloved farm to stay forever green has been a lengthy, but very rewarding one. It has been a pleasure to work together with NCC to make this happen. Our wishes have been acknowledged, respected and implemented, which resulted in a valued collaboration in stewardshi,.” said Susi Reinink and family.
NCC staff will manage the property and create a long-term plan to ensure its habitats continue to thrive. This project builds on more than 30 years of conservation work in the Napanee Plain, where NCC has protected roughly 1,500 hectares of land to support biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.
