Ontario Nature Enhances Reserve and Protects Wildlife Pathway

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Grooms mentioned that raising public awareness is still one of the main challenges for conservation work.

Aug 27, 2026  •  Last updated 4 hours ago  • 

Kingston Field Naturalists member-at-large Chris Grooms looks over his 63-acre land on Florida Road in Yarker on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. Grooms shares insights on how expanding the Lost Bay Nature Reserve in the Frontenac Arch will benefit local biodiversity. Photo by Bill Hall /The Kingston Whig-Standard

Ontario Nature has increased its Lost Bay Nature Reserve near Gananoque by almost 18 acres, a step that conservationists believe will bolster one of eastern Canada’s vital wildlife corridors and safeguard numerous rare species within the Frontenac Arch.

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The conservation group shared on Tuesday that it had acquired the 17.97-acre Jannen III property located in Leeds and Thousand Islands Township, increasing the reserve’s total protected area to 662 acres (268 hectares).

This property lies within the globally recognized Frontenac Arch UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and serves as part of a critical ecological connection between Ontario’s Algonquin region and New York state’s Adirondack Mountains.

Ontario Nature reported that this newly secured parcel includes mature upland forests, rocky barrens, and seasonal wetlands while providing confirmed or potential habitats for at least thirty-three rare or at-risk species such as cerulean warblers, monarch butterflies, Blanding’s turtles, and butternut trees.

The land is situated less than a kilometer away from both Lost Bay Wetland and Wiltse Creek Marsh which are recognized for their ecological significance.

“This marks just the first step towards an ambitious target: securing at least twenty-five hundred hectares of habitat across our key priority areas by two thousand thirty-one,” said Ontario Nature executive director Andrés Jiménez Monge in a statement.

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“The Frontenac Arch has long been a focus for Ontario Nature. There’s no better place than this UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve at the core of Algonquin-to-Adirondack corridor.”

This acquisition was funded through contributions from Flanagan Foundation , ECHO Foundation , members of Ontario Nature , along with Ontario’s Greenlands Conservation Partnership program managed by Ontario Land Trust Alliance with backing from provincial funding.

Since twenty twenty , over sixty million dollars have been invested into this program aimed at securing ecologically valuable private lands throughout Ontario.

Environment Minister Todd Mc Carthy stated that this expansion would help conserve wetlands , forests , and habitats for wildlife while ensuring crucial connections remain open for species navigating through this area.

Scientists alongside conservation organizations have consistently recognized The Frontenac Arch as one of Eastern Canada’s most ecologically significant landscapes. Stretching between Canadian Shield regions up towards Adirondack Mountains creates natural bridges where northern southern species intermingle.

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Get started Submit The region showcases rich forests wetland lakes rocky outcrops hosting unusually diverse range life forms.

UNESCO acknowledged area biosphere reserve during two thousand two recognizing its ecological importance efforts made community members promote sustainable management practices.Chris Grooms former president current member -at-large Kingston Field Naturalists pointed out relevance acquisition stretches beyond newly protected territory. “It sits right inside middle Frontenac Arch essentially acting massive corridor connecting natural spaces north south.” Grooms explained interview further elaborating “the more landscape we can preserve intact stronger wider tranquil remaining safer wildlife feels moving through.” Kingston Field Naturalists have conducted surveys bioblitz events documenting vast variety plant animal life found here. “There already exists nature reserve operated by Ontario Nature ,” he added. “I visited before they expanded it amazing diversity present.” He believes primary advantage expansion maintaining continuous environment enabling safe movement wildlife. “Animals must be able traverse landscape maintain genetic diversity healthy populations,” Grooms noted adding “they need move between habitats without facing barriers like subdivisions highways.” Conservation biologists increasingly view habitat fragmentation serious challenge confronting wildlife communities little disruptions can isolate groups limit breeding chances reduce genetic variation time. Safeguarding linked habitat corridors seen widely effective method boosting long-term ecosystem resilience. This has not loaded yet but your article continues below. Grooms emphasized importance protecting wildlife corridors growing necessary facing development pressures across eastern Ontario citing recent threats posed Alto’s high-speed rail service. “One major challenge wildlife face fragmentation habitat,” he remarked emphasizing “species need ability navigate around safely otherwise populations become isolated lose genetic diversity.” Acquisition Lost Bay coincides governmental organizational initiatives aim achieving Canada commitment conserving thirty percent lands waters by two thousand thirty goal established international biodiversity agreements. Conservation groups emphasize safeguarding private properties plays pivotal role reaching targets set forth. Many environmental advocates regard announcement represents rare success story amidst broader worries regarding loss biodiversity. “It truly does,” said Grooms when asked if expansion counts among few positive environmental headlines recently surfacing. . This hasn’t loaded yet but you may continue reading below. “Often news discouraging when talking conservation efforts.” He praised collaboration amongst regional provincial organizations such as Ontario nature , nature Canada various land trusts volunteer associations assisting preserving environmentally essential areas despite ongoing pressure development. “It feels good see dedicated people working tirelessly protect what remains improve habitats humans animals alike” he affirmed. He also pointed out difficulty raising public consciousness remains significant obstacle facing preservation activities. “So many individuals seem disconnected nature unaware extent environmental degradation impacts them,” he observed stressing even urban dwellers rely functioning ecosystems although may not engage directly forests wetlands grasslands.” Clean water biodiversity pollination climate stability serve examples ecosystem services impacting everyday lives people. This hasn’t loaded yet but you may continue reading below. Near home located Florida Road observed trail cameras captured astonishing array animals ranging opossums coyotes bobcats black bears traversing narrow forested path linking different habitats region. “It’s fairly slim stretch woods permits incredible volume animal movement,” he noted emphasizing “that why these corridors prove so important they connect ecosystems allowing creatures migrate freely across terrain.” On behalf organization involved Grooms expressed excitement about new purchase solidifying another conserved piece remarkable landscape within frontenac arch. “Speaking behalf Kingston Field Naturalists we’re delighted addition further protected segment jewel frontenac arch,” Groom stated confidently emphasizing desire future efforts expand preserved zones support similar initiatives elsewhere.”Share article social network

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