Lakefield Herald Special Report

Letter: Wetlands: Value for us all

The Editor;

Recently there has been critical discussion surrounding the value of wetlands in our area, subsequent to damage to wetlands on Clear Lake.

Lake residents have expressed concern about this damage and our local municipal council has taken action, including a motion to explore wetland/shoreline area by-laws from other jurisdictions with similar issues (Seguin Township in Muskoka).

Science tells us that wetlands are the most significant and sensitive areas found in nature. Many species at risk require wetlands to survive; and the value of wetlands with regard to water and air purification is indisputable.

In addition to being significant, they are also highly vulnerable to human impacts (over 70% being lost in Southern Ontario in the past century).

As a non-profit charity, our organization, The Kawartha Heritage Conservancy has a specific mandate of wetland conservation, taking a very proactive, pragmatic approach.

We have already secured the conservation of large, significant wetlands in the Kawarthas through donations of conservation easement and ownership including the protection of 140 acres on Stoney Lake.

In addition, we currently have a partnership with Ducks Unlimited for another 700+ acres in the neighbouring City of Kawartha Lakes and we are working on a variety of related projects with interested landowners in the greater Kawarthas region.

As a registered charity, we are capable of accepting environmentally significant lands as charitable gifts that provide significant tax relief for the donor.

For me, the issues of conservation are personal; our family has been in the Lakefield area for generations as business owners, farmers and landowners on these lakes.

Like many others, we took part in and benefit from the prosperity of this area but the future entails new challenges. Our region has rapidly changed, characterized largely by a new scale of urban-type developments occurring on waterfront and natural areas.

We need to ensure that this rapid transformation and development is twinned with sufficient protection and conservation. Like all things in nature, our lakes have a capacity for health and sustainability and the Clear-Stoney-White Lake Plan tells us we have reached the maximum.

I am encouraged by the County’s and local municipalities’ commitment to addressing this issue and look forward to following progress as relevant Lake Plan recommendations are considered for incorporation in local official plans.

Mike Hendren

Executive Director, Kawartha Heritage Conservancy

Landowner, Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield

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