Conservation reserve

South shore area to gain protected status

The Point Petre Provincial Wildlife Area and the Ostrander Point Crown Land Block are destined to be designated as a conservation reserve following an assessment and evaluation of the site, in collaboration with Indigenous communities and environmental organizations such as the South Shore Joint Initiative (SSJI) and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). MPP Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks made the announcement at Point Petre last Thursday. The proposed designation means that no industrial development in that area will be permitted, and the existing biodiversity will be maintained or enhanced. “Our parks, wetlands, forests and other natural areas play an important role in the quality of life that we enjoy here in Ontario. Ontario’s provincial parks and conservation reserves are an important part of protecting these significant natural and cultural features,” said area MPP Todd Smith, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. The lands comprise approximately 4,000 acres and will bring the total protected area on the south shore to 6,000 acres, and will protect about 12 kilometres of shoreline. This will be the first conservation reserve created in Ontario since 2006, and continues a strategy of protecting public lands that was started by the Mike Harris Conservative government in 1999.

Minister Yurek said the move to create the new conservation reserve came as a result of efforts by groups such as SSJI, NCC, the Schad Foundation and Nature Canada, as well as very strong community support to protect and preserve these areas.

“People would like more opportunities to explore nature, and they would like to see the creation and protection of more green spaces across our entire province,” he said. “Over the coming months we’ll be completing a full assessment and evaluation of the site. They will provide more opportunities for the community to enjoy the area’s natural beauty through hiking, fishing and birdwatching, while at the same time strengthening the long-term protection and health of local wildlife.” Peter Kendall of the Schad Foundation said the protection of these lands will contribute to Canada’s commitment to have 17 per cent of its public lands protected. “The spirit of public-private cooperation is driving results. In the past three years we’ve added over 20 million hectares of new protected areas in this country,” he said. “This isn’t just about setting aside land. These projects are creating real economic benefits, providing protection against climate impact and ensuring local communities can enjoy outdoor activities in areas that we all have and that have become more important in this COVID-19 world.” He said that his organization initially hesitated to become involved, since it typically considers much larger land parcels, but soon became enthusiastic partners. “Not only are these incredible pieces of land that deserve to be stewarded for the long term, but rarely have we seen such an organized and passionate group of people and such strong support from all levels of government.”

John Hirsch of SSJI said the group has spent three years fighting to have this area recognized as being worthy of protection. There was a sustained letter-writing campaign, many petitions and some detailed scientific proposals. “We’ve been working on this for years, and we’re delighted the government has recognized there needs to be permanent protection for these environmentally sensitive areas,” he said. “We celebrate a great realization by the province that the south shore of Prince Edward County is a very special place. This is a victory for the 33-plus species at risk who make this their habitat. It’s a victory for the entire ecosystem of the south shore, which is the last significant largely undisturbed stretch of the north shore of Lake Ontario. Perhaps most of all it is a victory for the people— those who will come here to discover, those who will come here to study, and those who will come here to enjoy recreational pursuits, all in a manner which respects the essential biodiversity and importance of this land.” He also acknowledged the support SSJI received from other local community groups, such as the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists, the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory and the Hastings Prince Edward Land Trust. “The fun has just begun. SSJI and its many supporters are ready, willing and able to assist the government in the public consultation process and the creation of management plans for this conservation reserve.”

Mayor Steve Ferguson also spoke at the announcement, and acknowledged the cooperation of the provincial government. “Together we want to ensure that residents and businesses alike can enjoy the County’s rich natural heritage, now as well as into the future,” he said. “Ostrander Point and Point Petre have been designated in the County’s Official Plan as environmentally sensitive areas. Council believes the conservation reserve designation would strongly contribute to the protection of what has been described as the last undeveloped shoreline on the north shore of Lake Ontario. The municipality has made it a priority to protect and preserve our natural heritage and we’ve sought to empower groups wherever possible to take action in that regard. SSJI is an outstanding example of this collaboration model in action. We wouldn’t be here without this coalition of individual and partner organizations who work together to make a difference.” SSJI member Amy Bodman was thrilled to hear the province’s announcement. “I’m so happy, and eager to start the public process to see what a management plan would look like and how that’s going to work. This is a beautiful area and we’re lucky to have it undeveloped.” Another of the founding members of SSJI, Myrna Wood, was also present at the announcement. “We’ve been fighting to preserve our south shore, and to think that we’re here today with the government assisting us, it’s a wonderful day.”

For more information about the South Shore Joint Initiative, please visit ssji.ca.