Seeds for the future planted at McEwen Nature Reserve
Native grass and flower seeds were collected and planted this month at McEwen Nature Reserve. McEwen is one of 3 reserves where NLT encourages tallgrass prairie species through controlled burns, seed collection, and planting. Thousands of prairie grass and flower seeds were sown on the same site as this springs controlled burn. The beautiful results of past controlled burns and plantings, especially the savannah grass and little bluestem, made for a spectacular fall scene, and will provide seeds and cover for wildlife this fall and winter.
Thanks to everyone who came out on this beautiful day to help restore a rare ecosystem!
TCS’s “Brentlemen” form work party for Northumberland Land Trust
The students of Brent House at Trinity College School (TCS), better known as Brentlemen, spent a recent Sunday working on habitat restoration at Northumberland Land Trust’s Laurie Lawson Outdoor Education Centre.
The property contains several vernal pools (those that only fill up in the springtime). The property had a number of dead and dying trees that posed a threat to public safety so they were cut down earlier this year. Some of the debris from the tree clearing had fallen into one of the main vernal pools, which serves as an important habitat and breeding location for many frogs, salamanders and other aquatic species. The debris was impacting the health of the habitat.
Armed with 
pitchforks, wheelbarrows, rakes, shovels and work gloves, the Brentlemen tackled this project. Within an hour, the area was once again cleared and ready for next spring.
“It was also fantastic to spend time out in nature,” said Campbell Hall, Head of House at Brent Hall at TCS. “The boys came away with a sense of having accomplished something meaningful.”
Northumberland Land Trust launches $5 million fundraising campaign
Northumberland Land Trust seeks funds and land donations
Cobourg, ON, September 19, 2023 – The Northumberland Land Trust (NLT) today announced that it is launching a campaign to raise $5 million for the acquisition, preservation and management of ecologically important lands in Northumberland County, Ontario. The Northumberland Land Trust currently oversees more than 1200 acres on 13 properties throughout the county, and has another one-hundred-acre property in transition to NLT ownership.
“The Northumberland Land Trust protects nature reserves forever, and that requires support from members of the community,” said Rob Kennedy, President of the Northumberland Land Trust. “We know there are people who want to support the preservation of land so they can have access to the beauty and wonder of natural habitat. We need their help now so we can continue to ensure that access.”
NLT must undertake a variety of stewardship and restoration projects on each nature reserve including invasive plant removal, trail maintenance, signage, native species plantings, building and installing bird boxes and many other restoration projects. These efforts help ensure the properties restore and/or maintain habitat for local, native species as well as migratory birds and species at risk. During the NLT’s Birdathon in the Spring of 2023, several at-risk species of birds were spotted nesting on NLT reserves. The NLT also holds free, guide-led walks for the public to experience the reserves.
“There are people who want to donate their land as part of their estate planning,” added Rob. “We help 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. Our fundraising will help cover these expenses.”
Our fundraising will help cover these costs.”
People can donate through the NLT’s website at www.nltrust.ca or contact us at [email protected] or call: 416 316-4318
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
[email protected]
(905) 342-3851
www.nltrust.ca
150 species identified during 15th Annual Birding Marathon
May 2023. The Northumberland Land Trust (NLT) 15th Annual Birding Marathon’s participants identified 150 species this year, a 12% increase over last year’s Marathon. Experienced bird watchers for each of NLT’s 13 Nature Reserves, which cover 1,267 acres of habitat in Northumberland County, and had a single, 24-hour period of their choice to identify the birds. In early June, the total number of species across all reserves was tallied. Last year, 132 species were identified. In 2016 there were 106 (but NLT only had 6 properties at that time). Every year there are surprise sightings as well as birds returning to the same nesting area. The rarest bird this year was the identification of the Nelson’s Sparrow in the Lone Pine Marsh Nature Reserve. Nelson’s Sparrows are rarely seen in this area. Among the other species that have appeared are: Hooded Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Red-throated Loon, and a Great Horned Owl.
The Birding Marathon is one of the NLT’s annual fundraisers. Donors guess how many species of birds will be found. Whoever is closest wins a litre of maple syrup from the NLT’s Wilkinson Nature Reserve. The winner of the 15th Birding Marathon contest is Richard Girardin. He guessed 140 species of birds on NLT’s reserves, which was the closest guess to the record-breaking total of 150 bird species.
Richard Girardin with his maple syrup prize from Northumberland Land Trust
Prescribed Burns for Northumberland Land Trust reserves
April 22, 2023. The Northumberland Land Trust (NLT) had two prescribed burns at the NLT’s McEwen Nature Reserve just north of Garden Hill and the Pelton Nature Reserve, which is adjacent to Peter’s Woods Provincial Park. The McEwen burn was conducted by Lands and Forests Consulting (LFC) while the Pelton burn will be carried out by qualified NLT personnel. 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. The media are welcome to observe burning operations from locations to be determined by fire control staff.
“Tallgrass prairie and savannah plant species depend upon fire to live. As natural fires have long been suppressed in southern Ontario, conservation scientists across North America use professionally-managed prescribed burns to bring new life to these wildlife habitats,” said Northumberland Land Trust current McEwen steward John Geale.
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 is the fourth prescribed burn at the Northumberland Land Trust’s McEwen Nature Reserve, and the third for the Pelton Nature Reserve.
