Kawartha Land Trust (KLT)

Kawartha Conservation's Conservation Areas Strategy needs your feedback by November 17th! Details and links available in their post.

The Northern Shrike is a large songbird that feeds on smaller birds, rodents, and insects. It spends its summers in the far north. You’re most likely to see Northern Shrikes in the Kawarthas from late fall until spring. This striking bird is often spotted perched on a tree in open woodlands, searching for prey. 📸 Rachel Barrington

Fall is the perfect time of year for a hike! 🥾 Before you head home, take a minute to clean your gear.🫧 Cleaning your boots, clothing, and gear helps reduce the spread of invasive species that can harm our ecosystems.🌳 Let's protect natural spaces while enjoying them! To learn more about how you can help reduce the spread of invasive species while hiking, click here: https://bit.ly/3Ehk7nq

October 24th is the International Day of Climate Action. Reading headline after headline about the dire effects of climate change can be overwhelming. It's hard not to worry about the future. However, in the Kawarthas, dedicated groups, organizations, and First Nations are working to make the Kawarthas more resilient to the effects of climate change. To celebrate the International Day of Climate Action, learn about the people making a difference for a brighter future in the Kawarthas and how you can support them. The list below is not exhaustive — if you know of another organization that should be included, please add them in the comments! 🌳Alderville Black Oak Savanna 🌲ALUS 🌳GreenUP 🌲Camp Kawartha 🌳CATTL - Citizens for Alternative Travel Trent Lakes 🌳Clean Up Peterborough 🌲Diverse Nature Collective 🌳Environment Council for Clear, Stoney, and White Lakes 🌲For Our Grandchildren (4RG) 🌳Kawartha Conservation 🌲Kawartha Field Naturalists 🌳Kawartha Lake Stewards Association (KLSA) 🌳Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) 🌲Kawartha World Issues Centre 🌳Ontario Woodlot Association 🌲Otonabee Conservation 🌳Peterborough Field Naturalists 🌲Peterborough Public Health 🌳TRACKS Youth Program 🌲Youth Leadership in Sustainability 📸 KLT's Forbes Lane Property, est. 2023 (KLT)

Just in time for the start of Bat Week tomorrow (Oct. 24-31), we’re sharing an update on the return of the bat box at KLT’s Ingleton-Wells Property from Lead Property Steward, Richard Raper: The Ingleton-Wells bat box returns...with a friend! A couple of years ago the original pole and bat box at the Ingleton-Wells property had deteriorated to the point where it had to be taken down. That was a little problematic since the interpretive text accessed by scanning the QR code at the site mentions a bat box. Those reading the text likely wondered, "What bat box?" Thanks to volunteer Rob Gouinlock’s carpentry skills, we have two new bat boxes. This past spring, a suitable pole was found and the existing hole was dug deeper (thanks Jenny Fay!). Rob and I completed the process by digging the hole a little deeper still, installing the bat boxes on the new pole, and "raising/planting" the pole. What about the friend part? Well, the original pole had one bat box. So the replacement bat box must have brought a friend! 🦇 🦇 📸 (L-R) Volunteers Rob Gouinlock and Richard Raper at KLT's Ingleton-Wells Property (Courtesy Richard Raper)

Did you know that Kawartha Land Trust has a web page that lists all of our public access properties in the Kawarthas? Enjoy the bountiful and beautiful fall colours this weekend on the land you love. https://ow.ly/G6hz50TORGj 🍂 Tag us in your fall photos at KLT’s protected lands. We’d love to see the brilliant fall colours! #KawarthaLandTrust

2024 marks the fifth anniversary of the protection of KLT’s Fell Wetland. The 50-acre property was generously donated to KLT by Allan Fell in 2019 to ensure its permanent protection. The wetland and forests at Fell Wetland serve as an important corridor for wildlife movement in the area. By linking together fragmented natural areas near it, this protected property contributes to the conservation and connectivity of habitats in and around its boundaries. We’re grateful to Allan Fell for protecting the land he loves for future generations and to you for supporting our work. If you’re a landowner interested in learning more about how you can collaborate with KLT on permanent land protection options or temporary projects, you can learn more at: https://lnkd.in/efEDUArw. 📸 KLT's Fell Wetland, including photo of Lead Property Steward Ham Keillor-Faulkner during a winter visit.

As we head into a long weekend of thanks, beautiful fall colours, and crisp air, we wanted to share a photo of the bright skies we experienced in the Kawarthas last night. We’d love to see your photos of the Northern Lights from around the Kawarthas. Drop them in the comments! Wishing you a wonderful long weekend on the land you love! 🍂 📸 Taken by a KLT staff member last night in the Municipality of Trent Lakes.

It’s #WorldMentalHealthDay. Nature is powerful in so many ways and one of those ways is contributing to our health and wellbeing. According to the Canadian Psychological Association, “Research shows that just a few minutes (1–10 minutes) of exposure to nature can boost attention, reduce feelings of stress, and improve your mood. Two hours per week has been linked to better health and well-being, and 20 minutes at a time is ideal for reducing stress hormones (i.e., cortisol) in the body.” “I always feel better after spending any amount of time in nature,” shares a KLT staff member. “Whether it’s making time for a quick hike at a local trail during a busy week, or taking five minutes to take in the nature immediately around me – a special tree outside of work or exploring a new-to-me park in Peterborough, there’s nothing quite like nature to calm and inspire.” Kawartha Land Trust offers a variety of community-access trails from Pontypool to Woodview for you to enjoy with family, friends, or on your own: https://ow.ly/l5t450TBOuA 📸 John Earle Chase Memorial Park (Alissa Paxton)

Big Bluestem is a native tall grass that is also known as “turkeyfoot.” It can grow to a height of 6-8 feet tall with roots just as deep and provides shelter and food for a number of bird species, in addition to acting as a food source for White-tailed Deer, voles, and the larvae of certain butterfly species like the Common Wood-nymph. Big Bluestem thrives in tallgrass prairies and savannas, however, only 1-3% of Ontario’s original grasslands remain. Pictured: Big Bluestem in the summer (left) and in the fall (right) at Kawartha Land Trust’s Ballyduff Trails in Kawartha Lakes. 📸 KLT