Order your 2025 Calendar here and support land conservation in Northumberland County
Our photo contest yielded spectacular images of nature in Northumberland County, and we chose thirteen photos to be featured in our 2025 NLT Calendar. Thank you to everyone who entered. Here are the winners!
Calendars are $25 each and can be ordered by sending an etransfer to [email protected]. Please include your name and mailing address. Calendars will be mailed to you.
Cover photo of Eastern Meadowlark in Brighton, ON by Marc Venema
Winter scene in Roseneath – by Marina Scassa
Northern Yellow Shafted Flicker in Warkworth – by John Charlton
Nawautin Nature Sanctuary Grafton – by Susan Dubois
Toad in the Woods – Port Hope – by Donna Edmonds
Ruby Throated Hummingbird Cramahe Township – by John Zerafa
Gray Treefrog at Lone Pine Marsh Braham Nature Reserve, Colborne – by Rich Fernandez
Giant Swallowtail in the garden, Grafton – by Elisabeth Lafontaine
Sunflower, Alnwick Haldimand Township – by Gerry Carr
Monarch Butterfly, Brighton – by Andrea Kingsley
Sunset over Rice Lake – by Jodi De Jong
Fox and her Mother, Presqu’ile Point – by Cindy Conlin
Snowy Faced 8 Point Whitetail Deer, Presqu’ile Park – by Phil Lawrence
There’s a new Lone Pine at the Lone Pine Marsh
Northumberland Land Trust receives donation to create new nature reserve in Alnwick/Haldimand Township
Wilson/Leckie donation will create the 16th property under the land trust’s care
MEDIA RELEASE
Cobourg, ON, June 4, 2024 – The Northumberland Land Trust (NLT) today announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding for the future acquisition of more than 140 acres of land near Beagle Club Road and County Road 9. This is the second land donation in 2024.
The Wilson/Leckie property is part of the Oak Ridges Moraine and sits on the high ground south of Rice Lake. It includes multiple habitats including some active agricultural land, and a valley with a seasonal creek and an abundance of hawthorn. As you move north there is a young forest, much of which has been planted by the donors over the past 20 years. At the top end of the property is a mature mixed forest. The variety of habitats and large size make this a biologically valuable property.
“Ms. Wilson and Mr. Leckie have nurtured this property since they purchased the property in 2002,” said Rob Kennedy, President of the Northumberland Land Trust. “It is close to Hazel Bird Nature Reserve, which is owned by the Nature Conservancy of Canada. Their proximity will help us with our mutually shared goal of creating green corridors between the natural habitats in Northumberland County.”
Ms. Wilson and Mr. Leckie began the process of donating this property this year. They required that their house be severed from the surrounding property so that they could remain in their home. They also wish to remain the stewards of the land, and will become members of the NLT’s Property Stewards Team. Once the severance and donation of the property are complete, there will be an event commemorating the land donation.
“Some people want to donate their land and remain actively involved with its care,” added Mr. Kennedy. “At the request of the donor, the NLT will also apply to the Ecogift program which could exempt the donation from any capital gains if it qualifies. Donations of land have tax implications and require an appraisal, severance, surveys, legal documents and township approval, and this process can cost up to $40,000 as well as ongoing stewardship costs. Donations are key to covering these expenses.”
People can donate through the website at nltrust.ca or contact us at [email protected] or call: 416-220-680
About Northumberland Land Trust
The Northumberland Land Trust is committed to preserving the natural heritage of Northumberland County. Its mandate is to establish, maintain and manage protected areas. The Northumberland Land Trust is a not for profit, charitable organization, which accepts donations of land, enters into conservation agreements for the permanent protection of natural landscapes, forests, farms and waterways and provides public education and information on land conservation tools. The Trust also raises funds to purchase land in Northumberland County, Ontario, Canada for the purposes of conservation. The Trust is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors representing a cross section of the community including landowners, farmers, business people and professionals.
For more information please contact:
[email protected] nltrust.ca
Northumberland Land Trust receives donation to create new nature reserve in Cramahe Township
Haddon donation will create the 15th property under the land trust’s care
MEDIA RELEASE
Cobourg, ON, May 14, 2024 – The Northumberland Land Trust (NLT) today announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding for the future acquisition of more than 80 acres of land just east of the town of Castleton. This property is mostly forested with several small streams running through it as well as a large pond. A broad selection of trees grows here, including some of considerable age. The small ravines along the steam edge are particularly lovely being lined with old hemlock and White Pine. The southern-most part has a small hayfield which is attractive to grassland species.
“Ms. Haddon has cared for the property as if it were a nature reserve since she purchased the property in 2007,” said Rob Kennedy, President of the Northumberland Land Trust. “Only walking has taken place on the trails in the forest, and there has been no off-road vehicle use on the property.”
Ms. Haddon began the process of donating this property in 2023. She required that her house be severed from the surrounding property so that she could continue to live in her home while the land trust could provide immediate stewardship of the land. Once the severance and donation of the property are complete, there will be a formal event commemorating the land donation.
“Some people want to donate their land as part of their estate planning,” added Mr. Kennedy. “The Northumberland Land Trust helps the owners sever the land from their house for the donation to NLT. Donations of land have tax implications and require severance, surveys, legal documents and township approval, and this process can cost up to $30,000 as well as ongoing stewardship costs. Donations are key to covering these expenses.”
People can donate through the NLT’s website at nltrust.ca or contact us at [email protected] or call: 416-220-6807
Land Trust boosts its presence with Trillium Fund grant
Campaign has led to an increase in volunteer requests, successful grant applications, and an increase in donations.
Northumberland News April 8, 2024
The head of the Northumberland Land Trust (NLT) says it was able to use a Trillium Foundation grant to bring more attention to its efforts and to boost fundraising toward its land preservation cause.
“With the OTF grant, the Northumberland Land Trust was able to hire Peterborough-based V-Formation, a fundraising and communications firm,” says Rob Kennedy, president of the NLT.
“We had an increase in volunteer requests, successful grant applications and an increase in donations.”
Northumberland — Peterborough South MPP David Piccini recently attended NLT’s volunteer appreciation event to formally congratulate them on the $45,300 Resilient Communities Fund grant it received in 2023 through the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).
The NLT has experienced some of its fastest growth in land donations and fundraising. The OTF grant allowed NLT to hire a fundraising and communications consultant to lead the development of annual fundraising and communications plans.
The NLT relies on volunteers and donations to do its work. In 2023, membership and individual donations increased 69 per cent and stewardship donations increased 58 per cent. Corporate and foundation donations increased more than tenfold.
“I am glad that our government is investing in Northumberland Land Trust as it is the foundation of our community’s way to protect and preserve our province’s biodiversity” said Piccini.
“The Ontario Government will continue to support crucial organizations, like Northumberland Land Trust, to ensure that communities across Ontario have access to nature, while maintaining and conserving it.
The grant also enabled NLT to purchase digital ads and help with the costs for an annual customer relationship management data system.
The NLT holds free nature walks, a birding marathon and prescribed burns, as well as stewardship activities such as removing invasive species and forest management.
The NLT has a mandate to establish, maintain and manage protected areas. A not-for-profit, charitable organization, the NLT accepts donations of land, enters into conservation agreements for the permanent protection of natural landscapes, forests, farms and waterways and provides public education and information on land conservation tools.
The trust also raises funds to purchase local land for the purposes of conservation. It is governed by a volunteer board of directors representing a cross section of the community including landowners, farmers, business people and professionals.
People can donate through the NLT’s website at nltrust.ca or email at [email protected].
Support the NLT Birding Marathon this May
This May, twenty expert birders will visit all 17 of our nature reserves to try to find as many species of birds as they can in a 24 hour period. It’s a marathon!
Last year our birders found a total of 149 species across NLT’s 14 nature reserves, including new species such as Bald Eagles and Red Headed Woodpeckers. Not only did they find lots and lots of birds, but also many of the other creatures that call our nature reserves home such as foxes, otters, and much more. Each year we can’t wait to hear the birders’ reports of what they found. Their reports are a fascinating snapshot in time of life on NLT’s nature reserves. We will share our birder’s discoveries with you here, as well as posting live updates from the marathon on Instagram and Facebook.
We have added three new nature reserves since last year – Haddon, Willow Lane, and Biddy Creek Wetland. These reserves total over 500 more acres of protected habitat for birds and other wildlife. It will be exciting to see what our birders will find on all 17 nature reserves!
The birding marathon is one of NLT’s biggest fundraisers of the year.
Please support our Birding Marathon this year and spread the word.
Here’s how to donate:
| Nature Reserve | Birders |
|---|---|
| Biddy Creek |
Doug McRae, Leslie Abram, & Andrés Jimenez |
| Bonebakker | Marina Scassa |
| Chub Point | Owen Jamieson |
| de Kleer | Paulette Hebert |
| de Lint | Matt Mair |
| Haddon | Tom & Jenny Jackman |
| Jack van Nostrand | Andrea Kingsley & Marie Wannamaker |
| Kennedy | David Geale |
| Leckey | Roger Frost |
| Laurie Lawson OEC | Kurt Appleman |
| Lone Pine Marsh | Leslie Abram & Jacob McLaren |
| McColl | Doug McRae |
| McEwen | Ben Walters |
| Munn | Kris Ito |
| Pelton | Katsu Sakuma |
| Wilkinson | Richard Girardin |
| Willow Lane | John Geale & Jayne Fry |
Smoke signals subscribed burns in Northumberland County
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Smoke signals prescribed burns in Northumberland County
Two Northumberland Land Trust nature reserves will be set on fire this April
April 1st, 2024 – Cobourg, ON – The Northumberland Land Trust (NLT) will start two prescribed burns at its Pelton Nature Reserve, and Leckey Nature Reserve. Prescribed burns are essential to restoring and revitalizing native prairie and savannah habitat in Northumberland County by removing invasive species, which tend to sprout early, and encouraging the growth of native species. Both burns will be conducted by Lands and Forests Consulting (LFC). These burns will take place in mid to late April or early May 2024. This is the first burn at the Land Trust’s Leckey Nature Reserve, and the fourth for the Pelton Nature Reserve.
“Grasslands are of particular interest because such habitats have undergone a drastic reduction in Ontario over the past century. As a result, many grassland plant and animal species have similarly declined to the point where many are now considered species at risk”, said John Geale, a former board member and current property steward at the NLT’s McEwen Nature Reserve.
Prescribed burns are intentionally set and professionally managed fires that burn across a pre-determined area under strictly controlled circumstances in order to restore natural habitat. Fires clear scrub and brush, allowing sunlight to reach the soil where native grassland seeds lie. Native prairie species flourish following a fire, restoring the native grassland habitat of the area. Burning only occurs under specific weather conditions that will allow a safe and controlled fire.
This year’s prescribed burns are being funded by public donations to the Northumberland Land Trust. Lands & Forests Consulting is an independent prescribed burn consulting firm. For safety reasons, the public is not allowed access to the prescribed burn areas during the burns. Prescribed burns are weather-dependent and site-specific. For a short time, there will be a visible smoke column rising from the burn area. Manual manipulation of the smoke column can be achieved by the type of ignition pattern, and no problems are expected to result.
About Northumberland Land Trust
The Northumberland Land Trust (NLT) is committed to preserving the natural heritage of Northumberland County, Ontario, Canada. Its mandate is to establish, maintain and manage protected areas. The NLT is a not for profit, charitable organization, which accepts donations of land, enters into conservation agreements for the permanent protection of natural landscapes, forests, farms and waterways and provides public education and information on land conservation. The NLT also raises funds to purchase local land for the purposes of conservation. The NLT is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors representing a cross section of the community including landowners, farmers, business people and professionals. People can donate through the NLT’s website at nltrust.ca or contact us at [email protected] or call: 416-220-6807.
For more information please contact:
Northumberland Land Trust
(416) 220-6807
McColl Nature Reserve gets TLC from volunteers
On the sunny crisp morning of March 30 a fabulous group of volunteers took to the woods at McColl Nature Reserve in Codrington to clear trails and battle invasive plant species. A large group like this can accomplish great things, and makes the work more fun. NLT is always looking for more volunteers to help us look after our nature reserves. Please connect with us – we would love to meet you: [email protected]
de Lint Nature Reserve protects 100 acres of biodiverse habitat
MEDIA RELEASE
Northumberland Land Trust acquires 100 acres to create new reserve
de Lint donation creates the 14th property under the land trust’s care
Cobourg, ON, February 2, 2024 – The Northumberland Land Trust (NLT) today announced that it has completed the acquisition of approximately 100 acres of land just south of the town of Campbellford. The property is located within the extremely biodiverse region of the Trent River/Murray Marsh Corridor. It overlooks the mouth of Percy Creek, an important cold-water stream, at its junction with the lower Trent River. The property also contains nearly 1200 metres of well-vegetated shoreline on Percy Creek, flowing along the entire west boundary.
“Robert de Lint has cared for the property since the 1970s and ensured that its environmental values were protected, and enhanced,” said Rob Kennedy, President of the Northumberland Land Trust. “What was once a largely agricultural property has since been managed, under Mr. de Lint’s direction, to restore the forested drumlin, stabilize the creek bank with a vegetated buffer and maintain the grasslands through light cattle grazing.”
Mr. de Lint began the process of donating his property several years ago. He required that his house be severed from the surrounding property so that he could continue to live in his home while the land trust could provide immediate stewardship of the land. A formal event commemorating the land donation will be held in early April.
“Some people want to donate their land as part of their estate planning,” added Mr. Kennedy. “The Northumberland Land Trust helps the owners sever the land from their house for the donation to NLT. Donations of land have tax implications and require severance, surveys, legal documents and township approval, and this process can cost up to $30,000 as well as ongoing stewardship costs. Donations are key to covering these expenses.”
People can donate through the NLT’s website at nltrust.ca or contact us at [email protected] or call: 416-220-6807
About Northumberland Land Trust
The Northumberland Land Trust is committed to preserving the natural heritage of Northumberland County. Its mandate is to establish, maintain and manage protected areas. The Northumberland Land Trust is a not for profit, charitable organization, which accepts donations of land, enters into conservation agreements for the permanent protection of natural landscapes, forests, farms and waterways and provides public education and information on land conservation tools. The Trust also raises funds to purchase land in Northumberland County, Ontario, Canada for the purposes of conservation. The Trust is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors representing a cross section of the community including landowners, farmers, business people and professionals.
For more information please contact:
Northumberland Land Trust
Our 2024 Event Schedule is here
We are pleased to announce our 2024 schedule of events, where we will explore our nature reserves and enjoy their diversity, while also having a sneak peek at future nature reserves.
Please preregister for all events by email: [email protected]. See you there!
Feb. 3: Winter Tracks and Signs at Wilkinson, 10:00 am
May 4: Kennedy forest walk (future NLT reserve), 9:00 am
May 25: Birding for Beginners at Lone Pine Marsh, 9:00 am
May 30: Grassland birds at Bonebakker, 8:00 am
July 6; Moth walk at Bonebakker 7:00 am
July 27: Arts Day at Lone Pine Marsh. 10:00 am
Sept. 15: Tallgrass Prairie walk at Pelton, 1:00 pm
Sept. 22: Monarch Butterfly walk at Doug McRae’s (future NLT reserve), 1:00 pm
Oct. 19: Fall Colours Walk at Haddon property (future NLT reserve), 2:00 pm
2023 Matching gift campaign exceeds $40,000 goal – thank you!
Northumberland Land Trust heads into 2024 with a sense of gratitude for the generosity of our donors who gave a grand total of $41,825 during our matching gift campaign. With the funds raised we will be able to protect and look after more natural spaces in Northumberland County, forever. With a growing number of nature reserves in our care, and more properties in the process of becoming nature reserves , we are committed to looking after every acre the very best we can. Together, we are making progress towards keeping Northumberland County green.
Video: Night life at the beaver dam
We set up a motion activated trail camera at the Lone Pine Marsh beaver dam, and captured all the activity during Christmas week. The stars of the show are eastern coyotes, otters, white tailed deer, raccoons, and some really really fat beavers! Enjoy, and Happy New Year!