Rae Blackwell property will be NLT’s 20th nature reserve.
MEDIA RELEASE
Cobourg, ON, March 12th, 2026 – The Northumberland Land Trust (NLT) today announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding for the future acquisition of more than 70 acres of land in the township of Alnwick/Haldimand in Northumberland County, Ontario. The property will be called the Rae Blackwell nature reserve, and will be donated by S.R. Slobodian and Graeme Harris.
The property is near two other NLT nature reserves: de Kleer and Wilhelmina Woods. Protecting this land will help close critical gaps between conserved areas, reduce habitat fragmentation, and strengthen ecological corridors across the County. Due to its biodiversity, hydrological importance, and connectivity potential, the Rae Blackwell property is ranked as a Priority 1 conservation target for both Northumberland Land Trust and the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Conservation Plan.
“One of the land trust’s ambitions is to create wildlife corridors, and the proximity of these three nature reserves will assist wildlife in their daily and seasonal travels,” said Graeme Harris, Vice-Chair of the land trust and co-owner of the property being donated. “We purchased the property in 1996 because we needed a place to de-urbanize on weekends to escape the pressures of living in downtown Toronto.”
The property features a wet cedar forest dominated by spruce, cedar, and white pine transition into mixed woodland where old-growth large-tooth aspen, oak, black cherry, ash, maple, and hemlock tower overhead. Vernal pools and regionally important wetlands are scattered throughout the forest, alive in early spring with the chorus of spring peepers. These wetlands form one of the headwaters of Shelter Valley Creek, a significant cold-water stream within the Barnum House/Shelter Valley watershed. This watercourse supports diverse aquatic life and serves as a migratory route for species like steelhead trout. On the southeast side of the property, approximately seven acres of open cultural meadow provide vital grassland habitat. Together, these forest and meadow ecosystems support six species at risk documented on site including Common Gallinule, Eastern Meadowlark, Bobolink, Wood Thrush, Eastern Wood-Pewee, and Grasshopper Sparrow. Protecting this property safeguards not only habitat, but also ecological integrity required for these vulnerable species.
“At first, we knew little about nature and as the wildlife began introducing themselves over the years we realized we must protect this property,” added Mr. Harris. “We looked for a solution and discovered the Northumberland Land Trust. “After getting involved with NLT, we knew the property could be protected forever, and began the process of donating this land that has given us so much over the years.”
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: 416-220-6807
For more information please contact:
Sabrina Hasselfelt
Northumberland Land Trust
416-220-6807
