On Friday, Parry-Sound Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith joined us to celebrate a $349,900 grow grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation that was used to accelerate the conservation of ecologically significant lands, forests, and wetlands in the Georgian Bay area. The Georgian Bay Land Trust has just completed work on the grant, which was awarded to us in 2020.

The Land Trust used the grant funds in part to conduct strategic ecosystem mapping to identify the most important lands for environmental protection, and conduct outreach to priority landowners to inform them of the significance of their land and the conservation options available to them. Funds from the grant were also used to help with a number of staffing positions, as well as hosting workshops, communications and advertising, equipment rentals, developing information materials and helping with some key administrative costs.

“The dedication of the Georgian Bay Land Trust to preserving the natural beauty of Georgian Bay is something I’m proud to see in my riding,” said Minister Smith. “By investing in the conservation of these significant lands, the Ontario Government is showing our commitment to environmental protection and preservation. Thank you to the Georgian Bay Land Trust for their continued efforts.”

Bill Lougheed, Executive Director of the Georgian Bay Land Trust, added: “the preservation of large tracts of unfragmented forests and wetlands is critical to maintaining the long-term health of the Georgian Bay environment. Many of these important places are privately owned, and conservation offers a win-win opportunity for landowners looking to protect their land and save on taxes. This support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation has been instrumental in helping us spread the word and protect more important habitats.”

Thank you to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for supporting this work!

Landowners who would like to learn more about conserving their property with the Georgian Bay Land Trust can do so here.

Pictured (from left to right): Bill Lougheed, Executive Director of the Georgian Bay Land Trust; Cathy Bongard, Board Chair of the Georgian Bay Land Trust; Minister Graydon Smith, MPP for Parry-Sound Muskoka. Not pictured but playing a key role holding up our banner against the wind: Stefani Matis, Land Procurement Assistant with the Georgian Bay Land Trust!