Thousand Islands Watershed Land Trust set to acquire single largest conservation project in its history

Athens – The Thousand Islands Watershed Land Trust (TIWLT) has successfully bid on the Red Horse Highlands property bordering the north-west boundary of Charleston Lake Provincial Park in Eastern Ontario.

This 360-acre property, with 2000 feet of shoreline, sits on the west side of Red Horse Lake. This central and crucial area of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere is just east of Lyndhurst, north of Gananoque and the St. Lawrence River, and an hour and a half south of Ottawa. This preserves one of the most important migratory
corridors in the country.

“This is the single largest TIWLT-led project in our history”, asserts Land Trust Executive Director Calder Schweitzer. “We’ve been working for months to land a deal to secure first right of refusal on this property, and I’m proud to say that we have now signed the deal, and we are first in line to buy it. We took a big swing and made a big hit!”

Schweitzer’s passion for the project is mirrored throughout the Land Trust as everyone from the biologists to the Board of Directors praises the crucial ecological importance of the property.

The Red Horse Highlands is 360 acres of classic Frontenac Arch landscape. It is a dramatic display of ridges and valleys of pink granite Canadian Shield, cliffs of scenic lookouts, elevated wetlands, old forest, and species at risk.

“It is one of the most worthy conservation projects in our history,” says Schweitzer, “and in addition, the property shares a massive boundary with Charleston Lake Provincial Park at a crucial point for habitat connectivity.”

Pink granite cliffs at the Red Horse Highlands property, Red Horse Lake, Ontario, TIWLT made the major announcement on Saturday, August 16, at its kick-off fundraiser, Celebrate 4ever Summer Party, at its headquarters at the Glen Elbe Learning Centre.

For weeks, the Land Trust promised its supporters exciting conservation news to be shared at the event. Around a hundred people attended the Party, looking to be part of TIWLT’s history. Party-goers were made up of both the long-time TIWLT faithful and many new people interested in learning how to do more to preserve and protect Ontario’s precious landscapes.

Not only were over $6,000 in ticket sales raised at the Celebrate 4ever Summer Party on Saturday, but an additional $104,000 was raised in the moment, when supporters participated in an auction of “1-acre parcels of conservation”!

The organization is deeply moved by the impromptu show of support for the purchase of the Red Horse Highlands property. As another sweltering hot day reigned over the Celebration, and an all-out fire ban swept the region, one by one, donors participated in an auction to symbolically “purchase” one acre of conservation by donating two thousand (2000) dollars. Community members enthusiastically pledged a combined $52,000, which was then doubled by an anonymous attendee.

The auction kicking off at the Celebrate 4ever Summer Party, August 16 Respected conservationist and Land Trust President, Don Ross, says, “The excitement was tangible as folks at the party, who came here from Kingston, Brockville, Westport, and even Ottawa and Toronto, expressed increased interest and urgency in protecting and preserving our precious landscapes here in the Frontenac Arch.”

The desire to protect land in Ontario is real, and the Land Trust Executive Director is confident that the ambitious fundraising goal will be met: “We need everyone from around the Watershed to make this deal a conservation win. As you can imagine, a big property has a big price tag, and we have till November 30 to raise the $1,550,000.00. That is also the date, by the way, that I plan to start sleeping again”, quips Schweitzer.

The total needed cost to complete this project includes purchase price, staff time, legal and appraisal costs, taxes, and stewarding and protecting the property. Funds raised in excess of funding goals will be put toward supporting further conservation in the watershed. All donations are eligible for a tax receipt.

Red Horse Highlands is a critical conservation property that extends the ecological value of its vast natural area. Its proximity to over 7000 acres of conservation land that is already conserved by Charleston Lake Provincial Park, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, and TIWLT means the preservation of migratory corridors for animals like deer, moose, birds, and even long-term movements of plant species, travelling from Adirondack National Park to Algonquin Provincial Park.

The Thousand Islands Watershed Land Trust is proud to be partnering with the Ontario Conservation Accelerator in this project. They are providing mentorship and fundraising support. TIWLT has already raised approximately $600,000, making the project about 39% funded.

Sources confirmed are: a major anonymous donor, a Federal Government grant, Foundations already getting on board, as well as the incredible pledges made at the Celebrate 4ever Summer Party on August 16th, by the people of the Thousand Islands Watershed.

The Thousand Islands Watershed Land Trust is a small, charitable, non-profit organization made up of dedicated directors and staff concerned with the protection of ecologically important land. TIWLT’s mission is “To permanently protect land in the Thousand Islands Watershed region through acquisition or conservation agreements, and to achieve good land management through stewardship agreements and education.”