Milburn Kendrick Area of Interest

Wetlands protect many species at risk in the MKAI

About The Milburn Kendrick

For nearly 20 years, we have been conducting research in Haliburton County to map and understand the true wealth our natural spaces provide to our community. It has become apparent that one particular area of Crown land within the Highlands Corridor features a uniquely rich makeup of healthy ecosystems and prime habitat for many of our most threatened species at risk. Totalling approximately 8,500 hectares, or 2% of all lands and waters in Haliburton County, we are calling this area the Milburn Kendrick Area of Interest (MKAI)

map of the milburn kendrick area of interest

Ecological Features

Vast Wetlands

Wetlands cover 24% of the MKAI, far surpassing regional levels. This includes 1,617 hectares across 5 provincially significant wetland complexes. Wetlands are particularly sensitive ecosystems that provide many under-appreciated eco-system services.

Rocky Barrens

This rare ecosystem covers 11% of the MKAI, also far surpassing regional levels. Rocky barrens are prime habitat for a number of species at risk such as Easter Hog-Nosed Snakes and Ontario’s only lizard, the 5-lined Skink.

High Concentration Of Species at Risk

The MKAI supports 32 federal/provincial species at risk, 22 provincially significant species and 26 regionally rare species like Blanding’s Turtles.

Habitat Connectivity

Along with 546 ha of land trust properties, 188 ha of Municipal Park, 633 ha Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest and 3734 ha of lands owned by partners in conservation, the MKAI contributes to habitat connectivity between Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park and Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park.

Ecological Services

Wetlands retain and redirect surface water helping mitigate flooding risk for communities south of Haliburton County.
Wetlands and natural shorelines protect fish habitat, and filter sediments and contaminants from surface water thereby protecting water quality.
Wetlands and forests sequester carbon, making them a cost effective solution to mitigating the impacts climate change.
Habitat connectivity protects biodiversity from the threats of climate change.

Protecting the Milburn Kendrick: Our Proposal

After consultation with various stakeholders, The Haliburton Highlands Land Trust is proposing the MKAI be considered for designation as a Conservation Reserve by the Ontario Government.

Wetlands of the Highlands Corridor

Why A conservation reserve?

To permanently protect representative ecosystems, biodiversity and provincially significant elements of Ontario’s natural and cultural heritage and to manage these areas to ensure that ecological integrity is maintained.
To maintain continued responsible access to culturally, and economically important activities including hunting, fishing, trapping, motorized and non-motorized trail use, and camping.
To facilitate scientific research and to provide points of reference to support monitoring of ecological change on the broader landscape.

We are advocating for a conservation reserve over a more restrictive designation such as Provincial Park specifically because we respect the importance this land has to the local economy, tourism, and cultural heritage and value the rights of locals and tourists to access the land in a responsible way.

HHLT has no authority to change the land use designation of Crown land, or directly manage crown land. We can only advocate that the Ontario government consider a proposal to designate land for protection. If the government does consider our proposal, they will conduct their own regulation process, which includes extensive opportunities for public and indigenous consultation.

Consideration For Industry, Recreation, And The Economy

Forestry

The Bancroft Minden Forest Company (BMFC), which holds the Sustainable Forest License (SFL) for all Crown land in the Highlands Corridor, has formally supported the designation of the Milburn Kendrick Area of Interest (MKAI) as a conservation reserve. As part of this decision, the MKAI would no longer be included in BMFC’s actively managed production forest, meaning it will not contribute to wood supply calculations moving forward.]

As part of its Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, BMFC is required to identify High Conservation Value (HCV) areas within its management area and consider potential additions to the Conservation Area Network. In 2023, BMFC invited the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust (HHLT) to participate in stakeholder discussions and share ecological data that could inform this process. BMFC conducted an internal assessment comparing forestry value across the Highlands Corridor against HHLT’s ecological data. This collaborative review led to the identification of the Milburn Kendrick Conservation Reserve (MKCR) as a viable area that aligned with both conservation and forestry objectives.

"The Milburn Kendrick Conservation Reserve represents a win-win for forestry and conservation interests alike. This region hosts a range of sensitive habitats and species but has limited forestry potential relative to other areas. Regulation of this area under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act would protect this region while contributing to our sustainability targets in the Forest Management Plan, with minimal impact on harvest operations."
– Svetlana Zeran, RPF, General Manager, BMFC

Read BMFC's official position on the Milburn Kendrick Proposal

Mining & Aggregates

No future mining or aggregate claims would be allowed in the MKAI. An existing nearby aggregate pit was excluded from the boundary of the MKAI so that the operation would not be impacted by our proposal.

Municipal Development

We have shared our proposal and ecological value data with Haliburton County Council and local municipalities with the objectives of a) helping inform their future land use planning decisions and b) avoiding any conflicts with other land use planning priorities the municipalities may be considering for the area.

Hunting, Fishing, & Trapping

Hunting, fishing, and trapping are permitted on conservation reserve land. Conservation reserves protect the natural assets on which recreation (hunting, trail use, hiking) and biodiversity depend.

Given the high level of interest from the hunting and recreational communities the HHLT is NOT seeking protection of lands as Provincial Parks where these
recreational uses would be curtailed.

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) has endorsed HHLT’s approach and holds a position on the HHLT advisory council for the Highlands Corridor Initiative.

Trail Access

In response to the public's concerns we have been engaging with trails groups including the Ontario Trails Protection Alliance (OTPA) in order to integrate the voices of motorized trail users.

HHLT acknowledges trail user’s concerns around loss of access based on “manager’s discretion” language in the conservation reserve regulation and examples shared from around the province. The provincial government also has the authority to close a trail on Crown land (Public Lands Act, section 14.1.a), and would continue to have this authority if the area were to be designated as a conservation reserve. It should be noted that some of the trail closure examples shared with us occurred in Provincial Parks, such as Queen Elizabeth Wildlands II where trail use regulations are more restrictive than conservation reserves.

For our proposal, we support including language to allow for trail repair, rerouting, and new trail development as long as areas of high ecological value remain protected. The permitting process to open new trails is the same on standard Crown land and Conservation Reserves.

We can find examples of existing conservation reserves across the province that include such language and have maintained trail access for many years since reserve designation.

Clear Lake, Plastic Lake, and Dawson Ponds

This local conservation reserve between Redstone Lake and Highway 35 was regulated in 1997, maintaining the use of Snowmobiles and ATVs to this day.

Section 6.1.1 outlines the guidelines for trail use.

“No new trails permitted. Any trail maintenance requires Ontario Parks approval. All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and snowmobiles are permitted on authorized trails only except in the direct removal of game.”

Appendix III highlights insight into the public consultation process and the impact it had on maintaining access to trails. During the process…

“...specific concerns were addressed for several topics…” including “...concerns regarding the proposed complete restriction on ATVs/snowmobiles on trails within the CR”

In the end, ATV/snowmobile trail access was upheld and continues to this day.

Little Mississippi River

Established in 2003 and located between Bancroft and Denbigh, the management plan of this conservation reserve outlines inclusive allowances for trail users.

Section 3.3 Background describes the recreation assessment report and how it recognized the importance of the trails in the reserve:

“The area is popular with snowmobilers, which was made evident from the large number of trails and signs observed during the recreation assessment (Dore and Tomasini, 2002).”

Section 3.3 Guidelines outlines generous accommodations for trail access and adjustment

“Use of mechanized recreational travel (snowmobiles and All Terrain Vehicles) will be allowed to continue on existing roads and trails. New trails, or the relocation of trails, may be considered through planning exercises where no significant conflicts can be demonstrated. Snowmobile and ATV use off trails is not permitted, except for the direct retrieval of game.”

Section 3.6 Natural Resource Stewardship further clarifies guidelines meant to balance trail access and environmental protection.

“As part of the consideration of Conservation Reserve Procedural Guideline B (Appendix 1), any new or relocated ATV or snowmobile trails will not traverse sections with sensitive vegetation.”

Section 3.8 Client Services acknowledges local riders associations, demonstrating inclusions and respect for the priorities of these groups.

“The Denbigh Trail Twisters and Old Hastings Snow Riders snowmobile clubs maintain the trails along the proposed Little Mississippi River Conservation Reserve.”

Elzivisr Peatlands

Established in 2003, this management plan of this reserve adjacent to Bon Echo Provincial Park clearly outlines the permission to access existing trails while providing avenues to propose new trails.

Section 3.3 Recreational activities states

“Existing recreational uses are permitted to continue as long as they do not negatively impact the features needing protection. Management options to reduce negative impacts from unmanaged site use (e.g. damage to Deerock shore and islands from intensive and inappropriate use) should be investigated and in order to protect sensitive features and features of high recreational value.”

“Motorized vehicle use off of trails is generally not permitted; ATV and snowmobile use off trails is only permitted for direct retrieval of game.”

“New trails, or the relocation of trails, including the development of a public access point, may be considered through planning exercises where no significant conflicts can be demonstrated (see 3.2 Existing/Proposed Development).”

Current Status of our proposal

HHLT has nominated the Milburn Kendrick Area of Interest for provincial consideration as a conservation reserve. This nomination respects the province’s process of land use planning.

The Five-lined Skink, Ontario's only lizard

If there is interest, and the provincial government determines our proposal meets their criteria for consideration, they may choose to proceed. The regulation process involves an extensive multi-year period of research, planning, and consultation to determine the boundary and management plan of the potential reserve. Throughout this process there will be set opportunities for public and Indigenous consultation where any stakeholder from the public will have equal opportunity to provide feedback on the proposal. This process is completely government-led, and HHLT does not have any power to make decisions on behalf of the government. If eventually designated as a conservation reserve, HHLT will have no role in managing it.

HHLT supports and encourages participation from all groups and/or individuals representing industry, trails and tourism, private, and government interests in the consultation process. We support the rights of access to the land for these stakeholders. We believe that by collaborating throughout this process we can balance conservation, recreational, and economic goals within the MKAI for now and for future generations.

Other FAQs

Q: Will you be advocating for conservation reserves in other areas of the Highlands Corridor?

No, HHLT has no plans to nominate other conservation reserves in the Highlands Corridor at this time. We anticipate the potential designation process for the Milburn Kendrick to take 3-5 years. We would only nominate Crown lands for consideration as CRs in the future if and only if a suitable area was identified, e.g. an area of significant ecological sensitivity that would potentially benefit from enhanced protection. HHLT would also seek alignment from key stakeholders such as OFAH, OTPA, BMFC, local councils and community members to inform any future conservation work. Please see pillar 2 (Crown Land) of our Highlands Corridor Strategy for more information on how we will approach crown land.

Q: How are you integrating indigenous stakeholders?

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 (WTFN). HHLT has committed to work to build relationships with Williams Treaties First Nations to explore Indigenous stewardship values. In 2023, HHLT reviewed the consultation information for Rama and Curve Lake First Nations (members of WTFN) and requested an opportunity to consult with the Chippewas of Rama and Curve Lake First Nations so that we could share our Highlands Corridor protection strategy and learn about their perspective on our initiative.

Q: Will I still be able to hunt and fish?

Both hunting and fishing are permitted on conservation reserve land. Conservation reserves protect the natural assets on which recreation (hunting, trail use, hiking) and biodiversity depend.
Given the high level of interest from the hunting and recreational communities the HHLT is NOT seeking protection of lands as Provincial Parks where these
recreational uses would be curtailed.
The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters also endorses HHLT’s approach and holds a position on the HHLT advisory council for the Highlands Corridor Initiative.

Q: I have an issue with the proposal, how can I provide feedback on the proposal.