A $349,000 Ontario Trillium grant will help protect more of Georgian Bay’s unique environment.
Parry Sound/Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith acknowledged the “important environmental work” done by the Georgian Bay Land Trust during a visit to Carling on April 12.
“The dedication of the Georgian Bay Land Trust to preserving the natural beauty of Georgian Bay is something I’m proud to see in my riding,” said Smith. “By investing in the conservation of these significant lands, the Ontario Government is showing our commitment to environmental protection and preservation. Thank you to the Georgian Bay Land Trust for their continued efforts.”
According to Smith, the organization received a three-year grant in 2020 to conduct strategic ecosystem mapping to identify the most important lands for environmental protection.
Officials say the funds also helped conduct outreach to landowners to inform them of the significance of their land and conservation options available.
“The preservation of large tracts of unfragmented forests and wetlands is critical to maintaining the long-term health of the Georgian Bay environment,” said Bill Lougheed, Executive Director of the Georgian Bay Land Trust. “Many of these important places are privately owned, and conservation offers a win-win opportunity for landowners looking to protect their land and save on taxes. This support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation has been instrumental in helping us spread the word and protect more important habitats.”
The Georgian Bay Land Trust is a registered charity dedicated to protecting wilderness lands along eastern Georgian Bay and the North Channel, through strategic conservation planning, land securement, stewardship, research, and education. The Land Trust currently protects 76 ecologically significant properties stretching from Port Severn to the North Channel, totaling over 9,000 acres.