Conserving Eastern Ontario’s Frontenac Arch

Kingston, Ontario – The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is one step closer to its goal of protecting the ecological connectivity of  the Frontenac Arch Natural Area thanks to the recent acquisition of the Freeman property north of Kingston (pictured here and below, courtesy of NCC).

The charity is now working to raise the final $12,000 needed to provide for ongoing management of this natural habitat for future generations.

“I was privileged to tour the Freeman property last summer and learned a lot about the important role it plays in maintaining the overall integrity of our local ecosystems,” noted Belleville resident, Dr. Bruce Cronk. “I am delighted that it is protected and that I have contributed to supporting its long-term management – I know that NCC is the right steward for this property.”

The 600-acre (242-hectare) property on Guerley and Loughborough Lakes includes a diverse array of habitats from shoreline and wetlands to forested areas. Numerous species – many of them rare – depend on large, undisturbed tracts of land like the Freeman property for survival.

“While we can now celebrate owning the property, it is even more important that we continue to take good care of it,” said Gary Bell, NCC’s Eastern Ontario Program Manager. “That is why we’re still looking for support for this project – because conservation doesn’t end at acquisition, it’s just beginning. We’re very grateful to the members of the community who have been so generous already, and we invite everyone to be part of this special project.”

The Government of Canada’s Natural Areas Conservation Program is an investment to secure ecologically sensitive lands, as is the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources’ Greenlands Program. For both, the NCC has committed to raising matching funds for each dollar received.

Since 1962, the NCC has helped to protect more than 2 million acres (800,000 hectares) of ecologically significant land nationwide – more than any other conservation organization.