Ston(e)y Lake Family Forest, pictured in the background, which was conserved through a volunteer-led community campaign in 2024 (Photo credit: Stephanie Lake)
Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) is celebrating 25 years of conserving natural and working lands across the Kawarthas for future generations.
Founded in 2001 as the Kawartha Heritage Conservancy, KLT began with a group of local citizens committed to permanently protecting the region’s landscapes. Over the past quarter-century, the charity has grown into a leading regional land trust supported by thousands of volunteers and donors.
“KLT is achieving many of the dreams we held when we founded it 25 years ago,” said Ian Attridge, co-founder and first Executive Director. “We’ve worked with the community and partners to care for a growing network of lands across this distinct landscape.”
Today, KLT protects more than 8,700 acres, including the 1,412-acre Hammer Family Nature Preserve in Lakehurst, the largest property conserved by the organization to date. In recent years, the charity has nearly doubled its conserved lands through community support.
Barbara Heidenreich, KLT’s first Board Chair, said, “The habitat protection results of the conservation land trust community, including Kawartha Land Trust, over the past 25 years have been very gratifying.”
KLT is part of a growing network of more than 150 land trusts across Canada, which collectively have protected 630,000 acres since the first land trust was established in 1919. “Canadian land trusts play vital roles in protecting nature and combating the global crises of climate change and biodiversity loss,” said John Kintare, KLT Executive Director. “Communities have come together to conserve and care for nature in their own regions, making a monumental impact for the ecological lands that sustain us and the wildlife we cherish.”
Throughout 2026, KLT will celebrate its 25th anniversary with community events, educational programs, and opportunities to explore its nature reserves, culminating in a special celebration in November. Residents can sign up for updates at kawarthalandtrust.org/subscribe.
Quick Facts:
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First protected property: Schipper Gamiing Nature Centre Conservation Easement (2002)
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First donated property: Dance Nature Sanctuary (2006)
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First community-purchased property: Christie Bentham Wetland (2020)
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Largest property: Hammer Family Nature Preserve, 1,412 acres (2023)
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Largest undeveloped island: Big (Boyd/Chiminis) Island in Pigeon Lake (2015)
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Public trail network: 50+ km of trails open year-round
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Upcoming programs: Fourth annual Passport to Nature and milestone anniversaries for Dance Nature Sanctuary (20 years) and Stony Lake Trails (10 years)
