Climate Insider Brief:
- The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has secured the protection of a 970-hectare area of forests, wetlands, and lakes near Algoma Headwaters Provincial Park in northeastern Ontario.
- The Morrison Lake reserve is critical for maintaining biodiversity, supporting species like the midland painted turtle, Canada warbler, and monarch butterfly.
- The conservation project strengthens habitat connectivity, promotes ecological resiliency, and helps mitigate the effects of climate change by preserving key ecosystem services such as carbon storage and water filtration.
PRESS RELEASE – November 26, 2024 – A vast 970-hectare area featuring thriving forests, wetlands and crystal-clear lakes northeast of Sault Ste. Marie is now protected, marking a significant win for nature.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is announcing the conservation of its Morrison Lake Nature Reserve, located near Algoma Headwaters Provincial Park.
The Morrison Lake project is a quintessential example of an undeveloped northern Ontario landscape. The intact forests, lakes, wetlands and shorelines support high biodiversity and are home to many threatened species such as midland painted turtle, Canada warbler, and monarch butterfly. Given the expansive size of the property, its rich habitats and the proximity to other protected lands, the Morrison Lake project was a high priority for conservation by NCC.
The project marks a significant achievement towards NCC’s goal of ensuring broader networks of protected and crown lands, particularly in the Lake Superior region. These connected conservation lands help to ensure a resilient landscape, providing habitat for wide ranging species like moose and black bear, as well as important ecosystem services for people like filtering air and water and storing carbon.
This project was made possible through the support of many private donors and foundations, as well as the Government of Canada through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, part of Canada’s Nature Fund, and the Government of Ontario through the Greenlands Conservation Partnership program.
This project showcases how NCC is accelerating the pace of conservation in Canada. Over the next few years, the organization will double its impact by mobilizing people and delivering permanent, large-scale conservation. In the face of rapid biodiversity loss and climate change, nature is our ally. There is no solution to either without nature conservation.
Quotes
“Morrison Lake is a unique opportunity for NCC to conserve almost 2400 acres of pristine habitat that builds on the nearby protected Algoma Headwaters Signature Site. By expanding existing protected areas, NCC’s essential work is contributing meaningfully to habitat connectivity and ecological resiliency for these upland forests, rivers, wetlands and lakes. Its inspiring to see NCC’s donors, partners and supporters coming together to champion solutions for nature at this scale.” – Carolyn Davies, Program Director – Landscapes, Nature Conservancy of Canada
“Canada is on a mission to conserve 30 percent of land and water by 2030, and the Natural Heritage Conservaiton Program is driving this mission forward. By teaming up with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, we’re taking bold steps to protect areas of conservation value, such as Ontario’s Lake Superior region and beyond. These efforts are vital to help protect species at risk, like the midland painted turtle and the monarch butterfly, while helping to ensure a resilient landscape.” – The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“The protection of the Morrison Lake Nature Reserve is a testament to what we can accomplish when we work together. I want to congratulate the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the generous supporters who made this project possible. The Greenlands Conservation Partnership program was crucial in funding this 970-hectare initiative, helping us preserve our invaluable natural heritage for generations to come. Together, we are ensuring that our forests, wetlands, and lakes continue to thrive, supporting biodiversity and the health of our environment.” – Todd McCarthy, Acting Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks”
Facts
- The Morrison Lake property is surrounded by undeveloped crown lands and nearby private lands. These undeveloped natural corridors provide key habitat for wide ranging wildlife and species at risk such as Canada warbler (threatened).
- The property contains a mixture of land cover types including forests, wetlands and inland lakes. Over 770 hectares of the property is classified as forest.
- The Lake Superior Natural Area is one of the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s (NCC) largest natural areas in Ontario, spanning from Sault Ste. Marie to west of Thunder Bay, and surrounding Lake Nipigon to the north. The Lake Superior basin contains vast tracts of coniferous and mixed forest, wetlands, barrens, cliffs and inland rivers and lakes. Lake Superior is the least impacted of all the Great Lakes and many of its aquatic habitats, watersheds and coast remains healthy and intact.
About
As Canada’s largest environmental charity, the Nature Conservancy of Canada has worked with partners to conserve natural landscapes since 1962. Together, we deliver solutions to address the dual crises of biodiversity loss and climate change through large-scale and long-term conservation. We create lasting change for the planet and its people by partnering with Indigenous Nations and communities, governments and businesses around shared interests. Nature makes it possible. To learn more, visit natureconservancy.ca.
Canada’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP) is a unique partnership that supports the creation and recognition of protected and conserved areas through the acquisition of private land and private interest in land. To date, the Government of Canada has invested more than $500 million in the Program, which has been matched with more than $1 Billion in contributions raised by Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the country’s land trust community leading to the protection and conservation of nearly 800,000 hectares of ecologically sensitive lands.
The Greenlands Conservation Partnership program helps conserve ecologically important natural areas and protect wetlands, grasslands and forests that help mitigate the effects of climate change. Through the Greenlands Conservation Partnership program, a total of $38 million has been invested to date by the Ontario government, with an additional $20 million committed through the 2024 Ontario Budget. Additional match funds are raised from other sources, such as individual donations and foundation support through NCC and the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, and other levels of government.
Source: Nature Conservancy Canada
Featured Image: Credit: Nature Conservancy Canada
