Preserving Nature In Perpetuity

Jun 27, 2013

The KFL&A Land Conservancy celebrate the purchase of the Depot Creek Nature Reserve

In a meadow located near the village of Bellrock just west of Verona, a group of 30 nature enthusiasts gathered on June 23 to celebrate the first purchase of property by the Land Conservancy of Kingston Frontenac Lennox & Addington.

The charitable organization was formed in 2004 and its aim is to “safeguard the land, water quality and the flora and fauna in the region of KFL&A” by acquiring lands either through purchase or by donation. It recently purchased the 30 hectare (72 acre) property from long time Bellrock resident and renowned Canadian artist, Kim Ondaatje. This is the organization’s first ever land purchase and so the celebration marked a big landmark for the organization.

The land has been named the Depot Creek Nature Reserve and boasts woodlands, wetlands, meadows, a meandering creek, numerous ponds, walking trails and an undisturbed shore line. It was chosen for acquisition since it is a property that has been well cared for, protected and preserved over the 40 plus years plus that Ondaatje has owned it. The conservancy was also looking for a property where people could visit. “Most of the properties we have acquired are not suitable to host visitors so we were looking for a property that not only met our usual requirements but also was one that people could come see, explore and enjoy”, said Vice President of the organization, Mary-Alice Snetsinger.

In a recent Bio-blitz that was held on the property by the Kingston Field Naturalists on June 14 & 15, over 400 species were identified, including numerous species at risk. President of the Land Conservancy, Vicki Schmolka, opened up the ceremony and welcomed guests to the event to celebrate “something very magical, important, fundamental and precious, which is the protection of this property... This is all about protecting this habitat forever.”

Ann Robertson, who heads up the land stewardship arm of the organization, also spoke about the preparation of the reserve by many of the organization’s volunteers, who have built a privy on site.

At the ceremony Kim Ondaatje was presented with a wooden trail marker that will designate one of the walking trails on the reserve, which has been named in her honour. Asked what motivated her to make the land available for purchase, Ondaatje said, “This land has been my number one project since I stopped painting in 1973 and it has been a live painting that I have been working on for 40-odd years. I have planted thousands of trees and done everything to keep every kind of chemical off of it and have let it go ‘au natural’ in every way, so I'm very happy to know that it is going to be preserved this way forever.”

Peter Milliken, former speaker of the House of Commons, was also in attendance and was presented with a gift for his role in heading up the fundraising campaign for the acquisition.

The Land Conservancy of KFL&A is a volunteer organization with an 11-member board of directors and approximately 100 members. All funds they raise go towards land protection and land stewardship.

To date they own five properties totaling 121 hectares (300 acres). Along with Depot Creek their properties include the Arthur Nature Reserve, Meyer Woods, Salmon and Snake Islands and a conservation easement near Westport. Visitors are welcome to explore the Depot Creek Nature Reserve, which is located on First Lake Road just north of Bellrock. There is a parking lot at the property entrance with signage. The Land Conservancy asks that large groups call in advance and all visitors are asked to respect requests forbidding pets and fire building on the premises. Visitors are also asked to remember to close and latch all of the gates on the property so that cattle grazing in the vicinity do not get loose. Guests are also asked to leave no trace behind after visiting. For more information visit www.landconservancykfla.org