HHLT has heard there are concerns about the land trust's strategy for the Highlands Corridor. If you are interested in learning about this issue, please
- click on the button to download the joint statement with the Ontario Trails Protection Alliance
- click on the button to read frequently asked questions about the Highlands Corridor
Introducing the Highlands Corridor
The Haliburton Highlands Land Trust (HHLT) has identified a significant wildlife corridor covering over 100,000 hectares of unceded Crown land, municipal land, and private land connecting three provincial parks. Rich with wetlands, forests, wildlife communities, species at risk and deep carbon deposits, the Highlands Corridor offers a nature-based solution to building climate change resilience, protecting lands and waters, and maintaining biodiversity.
Our Strategy for Building the Corridor
The Haliburton Highlands Land Trust (HHLT) is a non-governmental, registered charity which recognizes the deep cultural ties that people have to the land, and both respects and supports the ongoing use of the land by hunters, trappers, anglers, trail users, paddlers, naturalists and forestry operations etc.. The Trust has identified a significant wildlife corridor covering over 100,000 hectares of unceded Crown land, municipal land, and private land connecting three provincial parks. The Corridor lands are rich with wetlands, forests, wildlife, species at risk, and deep carbon deposits. The Corridor offers a nature-based solution to building climate change resilience (including mitigating localized flooding), protecting water quality and maintaining biodiversity. Many community members are well aware of the critical importance of these lands from an economic, cultural, tourism, and natural standpoint. To help ensure future generations will be able to benefit and enjoy these lands, HHLT has developed a stewardship strategy with two pillars:
- Private Land. Working with HHLT is a voluntary process for landowners interested in protecting the features of their properties that they value. HHLT believes that private land should remain private and respects the rights of all property owners to manage their land as they see fit according to provincial and federal laws and regulations. To encourage stewardship of private land, HHLT has three initiatives:
- Land Acquisition: One means of conserving lands is to acquire ecologically sensitive properties. Only private lands where the owner voluntarily chooses to either donate or sell the property to the Trust are considered for acquisition. No Crown Land is acquired by the Trust. This process simply changes the ownership of private land.
- HHLT Partners in Conservation program: private land owners may choose to take advantage of HHLT’s assistance in advising on good stewardship practices. The advice is non-binding and does not change the owner’s rights.
- Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP): If private lands meet the provincial criteria to qualify for tax incentives under the provincial Managed Forest Tax Incentive program, HHLT may be able to offer assistance in developing management plans should land owners wish. The MFTIP agreement is between the province and the private landowner. The reason HHLT offers assistance is that we regard the program as a good means of promoting sound habitat stewardship.
- Crown land. HHLT plans to continue to support the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in the conservation and sustainable management of Crown land through:
- Research: Focusing on wetland mapping, species at risk and ecologically important habitats. Results are provided to provincial and municipal governments.
- Education: Creating and running programs that educate the public about flora and fauna and encourage citizens to get out into nature to enjoy and conserve habitats.
- Collaboration: Working with groups like the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and the Ontario Trails Preservation Alliance (OTPA) to conserve habitats and increase recreational access for all users. HHLT supports the responsible use of the land including but not limited to the ongoing use of trails.
Are you a good land steward and own 100 acres or more in the Highlands Corridor (see map below)? If so, we invite you to become a Partner in Conservation and receive a property tax incentive. Please click here for more information.
Community Support for the Highlands Corridor
MPP Laurie Scott addresses the audience at the March 3, 2023, HHLT OTF recognition event and Highlands Corridor presentation.
Chris Hodgson, former Warden of Haliburton County and former MPP
A focus of my political experience was environmental stewardship. I was fortunate to play a role in successful conservation efforts that included the establishment of the Queen Elizabeth II Provincial Park, the Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park, the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, and the reinstatement of the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program, which promoted environmental stewardship and economic sustainability of private forestland, as well as the launch of the Lands for Life initiative, which saw the largest increase in parks and protected space in the history of the province and laid the groundwork for the government’s Living Legacy program, the single biggest expansion of parks in Ontario. I applaud the ongoing efforts of the volunteers at the Land Trust to safeguard lands and waters in Haliburton County. Their initiative to protect the Highlands Corridor will enhance connectivity between Queen Elizabeth II Provincial Park and Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park, creating an important wildlife corridor in south central Ontario and a huge opportunity for biodiversity conservation.
Regular Haliburton County Council Meeting, February 22, 2023
BE IT RESOLVED that the County of Haliburton support in principle the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust in their efforts to better protect Crown lands and waters in the Highlands Corridor. Haliburton County requests that they be consulted as boundaries of the Corridor are further refined and Crown lands that are to be protected as a conservation reserve are identified.
John and Heather Harbinson, Landowners & HHLT Partners in Conservation
"The Highlands Corridor initiative is a unique opportunity for the Haliburton community to better protect the natural heritage assets that underpin so many of the benefits we all enjoy on a daily basis. ..."
Peter McGinn, Landowner and HHLT Partner in Conservation
" … I totally support the efforts of the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust who are striving to protect and preserve this incredible biodiversity in the Highlands Corridor.”
How Can I Help?
Please click on the button to help us ensure our biodiversity is protected and our communities are safe.
With increasing development pressures in Haliburton County, it is critical to set aside significant lands and waters for conservation purposes. The creation of wildlife corridors has become even more urgent in the face of a rapidly changing climate. Corridors reduce fragmentation, which has a negative impact on species survival. Enhancing connectivity in the Highlands Corridor will allow wildlife populations to better respond to extreme climate events.
We have a wonderful opportunity to help Canada reach its goal of protecting 30% of Canada’s lands and waters by 2030. Protecting the Highlands Corridor would make a significant contribution to land protection in Haliburton County and South Central Ontario.
Land Acknowledgment
Haliburton County is situated on the Anishinaabe lands covered by Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations.
This territory is protected by the “Dish with One Spoon” wampum agreement between the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Peoples to share and safeguard this land in the spirit of peace, friendship, and respect.
The Haliburton Highlands Land Trust respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity, and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come. We are grateful for their wisdom and leadership and are mindful of broken covenants and the need to learn, heal and reconcile with all our relations. We are committed to caring for this land and each other, in peace and friendship, for the sake of generations to come.