The Nature Conservancy of Canada purchased 29 hectares — or over 71 acres — of land along a stretch of Lake Huron shoreline near Tobermory known as China Cove. The area was previously approved for residential development, but the owner approached NCC with hopes of finding a conservation solution for the land, reports CKNX News Today.
“The protection of Aah Mahwi Nibi (Crying Water) is a crucial step in ensuring that the species relying on its rare and sensitive habitats continue to thrive for generations,” says Esme Batten, program director for Midwestern Ontario, Nature Conservancy of Canada. “By safeguarding these ecosystems, we are not just preserving a place — we are actively protecting biodiversity and deepening the connection between people and nature, of which we are all a part. Conservation is a shared responsibility, and I feel incredibly grateful to work alongside a passionate community dedicated to protecting the species and landscapes we are privileged to share this Earth with.”
The conservation area — to be known as Aah Mahwi Nibi, or Crying Water, includes nearly a kilometer of intact shoreline, along with wetlands, forests and rare alvar habitats located on the northern Saugeen Peninsula, part of a region where only around 8 kilometers of undeveloped shoreline remain.
The land is home to several species at risk, including the eastern massasauga rattlesnake, Hill’s thistle and midland painted turtle. In addition, its globally rare alvars (a type of limestone plain with thin soil and unique plant communities) are highly vulnerable to development. The purchase was made possible through federal government contributions from the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, and Ontario contributions from the Greenlands Conservation Partnership Program. Bruce Power also provided funding through its Environment and Sustainability Fund.
To learn more, visit natureconservancy.ca.
PHOTO: ESME BATTEN
