Habitat For Wildlife, Rare Black Bears Conserved
Media Release
Lion’s Head, Ontario (September 12, 2021) – An important section of forest and wetland has been conserved for wildlife in mid-western Ontario. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is announcing it has finalized the purchase of 160 hectares (395 acres) north of Lion’s Head for rare plants, birds and American black bear.
Called the Britain Lake Wetland and Woodlands property, it connects adjacent protected areas to form a conservation corridor at the north end of the peninsula between Britain and Otter lakes, covering over 445 hectares (1,100 acres).
The Saugeen Bruce Peninsula has a unique population of American Black Bear that, as a result of geography and human development, have restricted movement between other populations in Ontario. Now, the small number of bears left in the region are genetically distinct from their provincial cousins and, without adequate protection, could become locally extinct within our lifetime. Having space to eat, sleep, roam and mate around intact natural spaces such as Britain Lake is vital for their survival.
The property is home for many species listed under Canada’s Species at Risk Act, including Massasauga Rattlesnakes (threatened), Eastern Ribbonsnake (threatened), Wood Thrush (threatened) and Canada Warbler (threatened).
“These conservation corridors are rare on the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula, so to be able to connect habitats that bears, massasauga rattlesnakes and other animals need to eat, move, mate and sleep without having to cross a road, for example, is really exciting. American black bears on the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula are genetically unique from neighbouring populations in Ontario, so we have a responsibility to ensure they’re there for future generations.” said Esme Batten, NCC’s Midwestern Ontario Program Director
As natural areas face growing pressures across the peninsula, protecting spaces like the Britain Lake Wetland and Woodlands property, with such diverse habitats, becomes increasingly important.
Connected landscapes allow animals to move freely without having to face threats like crossing a highway or bumping into human development. The beech trees that form the deciduous forest on the Britain Lake property also provide fatty meals of beech nuts for the local population of American black bear. A conifer swamp, dominated by cedars, shades native orchids and limestone ridges jut from the spine of the Niagara escarpment, supporting calcium-loving ferns that cling to the rock.
The new conservation area does not quite reach Britain Lake, but includes much of the land between the Bruce Trail Conservancy’s Cape Chin Woods and Otter Lake Nature Reserve properties. Next steps for NCC will be developing a property management plan to identify how best to enable people to safely and responsibly enjoy the property while ensuring the protection of the natural features and species it protects.
Funding for the project came from individuals, the private and public sector.
About the NCC
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962, NCC and its partners have helped to protect 14 million hectares (35 million acres), coast to coast to coast. To learn more, visit natureconservancy.ca.
