Local land trust looks forward to second decade of work preserving natural areas with support of community donors
Nature is permanently preserved and enhanced on four local properties in an historic part of Ontario thanks to generous community donors and the work of the Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy (HTLTC).
The Mayhew Tract, Bayfield River Flats, Woodburne Farm, and the Heaman Tract are protected for the long term thanks to community donors.
The land trust was formed in 2011 and has entered its second decade of work protecting natural areas in the historic Huron Tract.
The land trust elected Max Morden as new Chair at the HTLTC’s Board of Directors meeting on April 28, 2022. He takes over from Past Chair Roger Lewington who has led the land trust since its inception in 2011.
Roger welcomes Max to his new role, and expresses his heartfelt thanks to the families and organizations who donated these protected lands, and to the local people who donated towards land acquisition and maintenance.
“We are so very lucky to have such thoughtful, generous, and visionary people in our area,” he says.
The new Chair of HTLTC lives in Grand Bend, and has a background in law and communications. He has an active interest in environmental action, which he pursues as a member of the Rotary Club of Grand Bend and Lakeshore Eco-Network.
Max thanks Past Chair Roger Lewington for his “decade of outstanding service leading the HTLTC,” and looks forward to his continuing support as a director.
Max says the HTLTC Board of Directors looks forward to its second decade of preserving the nature benefits of land for the future.
“We would like to thank all the families who have donated land and all the generous community members who have made donations to preserve these important natural areas for the future,” he says. “They are truly leaving a lasting land legacy.”
Max encourages people in the community to consider a donation of land or a financial donation. “Preservation of natural areas is one of the best and most permanent ways we can fight climate change and preserve habitat for the future.”
The new Chair encourages prospective donors to contact any member of the Board of Directors or to contact staff at 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610.
“Four important properties are now protected for the future thanks to the generosity of donors and the community,” Max said. “Donors care deeply about these properties and the land trust gives them a way to be sure they will be preserved and enhanced for future generations.”
The current land trust board is Max Morden, Grand Bend; Roger Lewington, Bayfield; Don Farwell, Stratford; Paul Spittal, Bayfield; Peter Twynstra, Ailsa Craig; Philip Walden, Thedford; Steve Bowers, Brussels; Kim McCabe of London and Bayfield; and Alison Lobb, of the Clinton area.
Thanks to generous public donations of land and money, the land trust protects four important nature areas:
- Heaman Tract (2019), near Ailsa Craig, donated by Janet Heaman in memory of Jack Heaman.
- Woodburne Farm (2018), near Goderich, donated by Ilse Elliott and her late husband William Elliott.
- Bayfield River Flats (2017), donated by Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) and community donors.
- Mayhew Tract (2015), near Holmesville, donated by the Mayhew Family, in memory of Jack and Iris Mayhew.
The Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy was formed in 2011, by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation, a registered Canadian charity. The land trust serves the area of the historic Huron Tract. The HTLTC is a volunteer organization with a separate board of directors and is a member of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance.
The Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy accepts donations and bequests of land and gives people in the Huron Tract area a way to make a positive difference by helping protect and restore land, water, and nature.
A donation to the local land trust is a local way to leave a lasting legacy for future generations. These donations of land and/or funds help to permanently protect nature areas with local benefits such as water quality, forests and habitat, and public enjoyment and recreation.
To learn more about the Conservancy, email info@htltc.ca or call 1-888-286-2610 or visit htltc.ca.
