Important wetland at Loon Lake near Kingston now protected

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) today announced the complete protection of ecologically sensitive lands surrounding Loon Lake, located north of Kingston. NCC and nature champion Monte Hummel have reached an agreement to protect the final piece of private land in a conservation network that spans over 2,000 hectares.

For more than 25 years, NCC has partnered with Hummel to conserve much of Loon Lake through several conservation agreements. At 0.4 hectares, this latest small but significant land parcel at Glen’s Cove, located at the east end of the lake, helps to ensure that the area remains barrier-free for wide-ranging animals such as black bear, fisher and otter, and that the lake is protected for migratory birds, like common loon. The conservation agreements prohibit development and place limitations on land use. They also conserve habitat, ensuring the delivery of clean water to downstream communities, and protect the area’s ecological integrity by establishing a large contiguous block of conserved land.

Hummel’s passion for the local wilderness is an extension of his family’s 60-year connection to the land. The protected area provides habitat for over 30 species at risk, including monarch butterfly (endangered), snapping turtle (special concern), nighthawk (special concern), whip-poor-will (threatened) and five-lined skink (special concern).

In addition to Hummel, NCC wishes to acknowledge the many donors that made this conservation project possible. They include the Government of Ontario, through the Greenlands Conservation Partnership, the Schad Foundation and other donors.

Quotes

"Protecting such a beautiful place on the Canadian Shield during my lifetime has been an honour. And I feel that extending that stewardship for another 999 years is the least I can do to thank Loon Lake for its generosity to my family in our modest off-grid cabin for over 60 years. Further, the conservation agreement announced today includes a lovely bay called Glen's Cove, named in memory of Canadian conservation philanthropist Glen Davis — a close personal friend for nearly 40 years, who made a monumental impact on conservation across Canada." – Monte Hummel, landowner

"This latest conservation agreement brings to life a conservation vision decades in the making. Monte Hummel's dedication to nature has allowed us to connect wildlife corridors and secure water sources for our communities. This is an important contribution to the conservation of the broader area northwest of Kingston."  – Rob McRae, NCC Program Director, Eastern Ontario

“Our government is proud to support this project through the Greenlands Conservation Partnership, a $20-million investment over four years to help conserve important natural areas, like Loon Lake, as well as the many species that depend on them. I want to thank Monte Hummel for his incredible generosity and also recognize the tremendous work the Nature Conservancy of Canada is doing with its many partners to conserve more greenspaces here in Ontario and leaving a legacy for the benefit of future generations.”  – David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Park

Facts

• Protected sites at Loon Lake link to public lands and to the even larger Depot Lakes Conservation Area.
• The Loon Lake area, combined with adjacent undeveloped lands, extends eastward to the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve, which is an area of global significance.

About

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is the country’s unifying force for nature. NCC seeks solutions to the twin crises of rapid biodiversity loss and climate change through large-scale, permanent land conservation. As a trusted partner NCC works with people, communities, businesses and government to protect and care for our country’s most important natural areas. Since 1962, NCC has brought Canadians together to conserve and restore more than 15 million hectares, including more than 196,000 hectares in Ontario. To learn more, visit natureconservancy.ca. 

For photos, click here.

Learn More
Follow us on on X (formerly Twitter):  x.com/NCC_CNC  |  x.com/NCC_CNCMedia
Find us on Facebook

- 30 -