Kawartha Land Trust informs residents about property in interesting presentation
The director of community conservation at Kawartha Land Trust (KLT), Thom Unrau, started his message by sharing how he developed his land love story north of Lakefield. While some of that land is now owned by a developer, as part of KLT, he has an opportunity to think about what the Kawarthas could look like in 50-100 years and give his children’s children the chance to fall in love with the land.
An audience member questioned the use of the term forever. Unrau agreed that is a long time and added the KLT board is very risk averse and has endowment funds set aside for all properties with many other checks and balances in place for property protection. Unrau went on to describe some of the properties in the Buckhorn area.
The Dance Nature sanctuary was the first donated property in 2006. Alice Sharp donated the property, living in the house until she was no longer able. The 100 acres (40 hectares) of forest and wetlands have hosted many educational opportunities. The Christie Bentham Wetland south of Burleigh Falls was added to KLT properties in 2020 as the first purchased property. The amount of $1 million was raised, with $750,000 used to purchase the land and the rest being saved to “keep the lights on.”
Big Island, also known as Boyd or Chiminis, is in Trent Lakes. It is the biggest island in southern Ontario. The John Earle Chase property was added to KLT in co-operation with Parks Canada, with KLT being the conserver. The latest property to be added in Trent Lakes is the 1,400acre (565-hectare) Hammer Family Nature Preserve. There will be more later on that property in another column.
Unrau outlined three options for land protection. Option 1 protects your land forever and involves donating land and providing significant tax advantages. This land usually includes many natural features, lots of habitats and provides a community benefit. Option 2 protects your land’s legacy, involving 10 different kinds of conservation easement agreements that are legally binding and also provides incometax advantages. Option 3 is a partners-in-conservation program supporting nature together with other land owners. A property inventory, project help and ongoing support from KLT is provided. Property owners may be put together with other landowners with similar needs and connected with professionals that can help. There are 120 landowners that are part of this program and 10,000 acres (4,045 hectares).
A stewardship guide of the land provides information as to how it fits into the landscape. Thom showed how KLT fits into our environment and its forever importance.
Volunteer call
The Buckhorn Community Centre hosted a gathering of different businesses and organizations in the area needing volunteers. Organizations present were Community Care, the Trent Lakes Outreach Centre, the Lions Club, Good Buy Room and the Buckhorn Community Centre.
The Trent Lakes Outreach Centre is holding an open house May 2 from 3 to 5 p.m. at St. Matthews-St. Aidan’s Anglican Church in Buckhorn. Its hope is to make people aware of the presence of a food bank in the area and for people to see what it is doing.
Buckhorn Community Care was there emphasizing its need for drivers for short grocery and medical trips among other things. Call 705657-2161 for information.
The Good Buy Room needs help with sorting, stocking, waiting on customers and keeping things presentable. Call Barbara Reesor at 705-657-3063.
The Buckhorn Lions Club has many events needing volunteers. The fishing derby is next. Call Janet at 705-657-2225 to offer help.
The Buckhorn Community Centre has a niche for everyone. Call 705-657-8833 and explaing your interests and it will find a place for you.