Dance Nature Sanctuary
In May 2006, Mrs. Alice Sharpe donated her 100-acre (40 ha) property to the Conservancy. “The protection of
our land fits well with our personal values – we feel that the special features of our land need to be protected for generations to come”, says Mrs. Sharpe.
Situated between Young’s Point and Lakefield in the Township of Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield, the property encompasses part of a provincially significant wetland, is home to a provincially threatened bird species and a plant that is rare in the County of Peterborough as well as creeks, forests, old fields and other diverse habitats. The property also includes part of the Lakefield Crevasse Fillings, a provincially significant Earth Science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest. The fillings are part of the Late Wisconsinan, North Bay Interstadial glacial deposit which also created the Dummer moraine, immediately to the south. Crevasse fillings are ridges or hummocks that were formed when glacial sediments were deposited in cracks and crevasses of the ice.
The property remains home to Mrs. Sharpe and her husband Charles who retain the right to live on the property for as long as they wish. For their generous donation they will receive significant tax benefits extending over several years.
The Conservancy is currently stewarding the Dance Nature Sanctuary in partnership with the Sharpes and has been assisted with biological inventory and monitoring by members of the Peterborough Field Naturalists and the Natural Heritage Information Centre. In 2006, Trent University Conservation Biology Intern Jennifer Sylvester drafted a Management Plan for the property.
Eastern Syndicate Island, Stoney Lake
Norman Cowan ensured ongoing conservation of the largest undeveloped island left in Stoney Lake by donating a conservation agreement on his property to the Conservancy in 2005. Eastern Syndicate Island, located in the Boschink Narrows in Douro-Dummer Township, functions as an important habitat stepping stone for wildlife moving between the lake’s granite north shore and its limestone south shore. Maintaining the 5 acre (2 ha) property in its natural state provides habitat for rare dragonflies, herons, deer and other wildlife. It sustains scenic value for lake residents and visitors while maintaining ecological value, water quality and an undisturbed shoreline.
Elliott Property
In 2009 Heather Elliott donated a 139-acre (56 ha) conservation easement agreement, to the Kawartha Heritage Conservancy, on her very significant property on Stoney Lake which is one of the few remaining large, undeveloped and mostly natural parcels left in the heart of the Kawarthas. With long natural shorelines that front on part of well known wetland areas - locally know as the Big and Little Duck Pond(s) - the property was identified in community planning processes as a vital area for long term conservation on Clear-Stoney-White Lake(s).
Ecologically, the property is within the transition zone between the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands and the Canadian Shield and forms part of an ecological corridor which includes the neighbouring natural areas in the Indian River wetland and Boshink narrows area(s). Accordingly, the property contains considerable biodiversity within the mixed forest that grows on shallow sandy loam and rocky soils and is used as over-ice crossing points for mammals, birds and other species on the lake.
Long term conservation of the natural character of this property will greatly benefit the local and surrounding Stoney Lake region in terms of ecology and value for landowners and users, which includes enhanced scenic qualities and fish spawning habitats. Mrs. Elliott’s family has hosted nature walks for members of the Association of Stony Lake Cottagers and various nature research projects, such as those conducted by Trent University or Fleming College students.
Emily Creek Wetland Property
Emily Creek property is 715 acres of Provincially Significant Wetland and Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI). It also includes a Field Center facility. With support from Ducks Unlimited Canada, Kawartha Heritage Conservancy received this very significant property donation, which is one of the largest and most significant wetland in the region, from the former members of the Emily Creek Club in 2010. The donors have had a longstanding connection with the property and a history of outdoor experience as a hunt camp and family retreat since 1937. The property has often been visted by local icon Leslie Frost, a friend of one of the families.
Located north of and between Lindsay and Peterborough in the City of Kawartha Lakes, this large, significant wetland complex is within the transitional zone bordering the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands and the Canadian Shield eco-zones. Prior to 1937, the property was reportedly used as a fur farm. The property is largely pristine and undeveloped, except for a small cabin and is located along the upper reaches of the watercourse, which empties into nearby Sturgeon Lake, part of the Trent-Severn Waterway. An open river meanders throughout this large, undeveloped property which includes mixed bog, fen and swamp habitats. The property is ideal for canoeing and kayaking and is a rare, large site of such size in Southern Ontario.
Howson Property
The Howson property consists of 100 acres of protected woodlands, agricultural land and riparian creek habitat. Known as “Glen Burn” the property is located in the rolling hills of Otonabee-South Monaghan Township, north of Rice Lake and East of the Village of Keene and comprise much of the Villiers Drumlin. The conservation easement agreement has been donated by Major Howson of Peterborough, who has owned the land for environmental protection for nearly forty years. The agreement with KHC will ensure protection of the land's ecological character in perpetuity in accordance with the conservation easement agreement.
The property includes forest plantations established by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. A small stream flows between the eastern and western drumlins, with the headwaters rising on the neighbouring property just to the south, flowing through the land, and emptying into the nearby wetland to the northwest and eventually into the Indian River and Rice Lake. There are only a few structures on the property. These are the foundation ruins of a barn and the old site of a house, the latter was burned down intentionally to avoid vandalism in the early 1970s. A former wooden sugar shack was situated in the western deciduous forest but was also intentionally burned down several years ago. Several rock, cedar rail, and page-wire fences mark the boundaries of the property and internal fields. A small watering structure is located at a spring in the northern portion of the property.
McKim-Garsonnin Property
KHC finalized a Conservation Easement in December 2011 on this incredible 250 acre property owned by
Ralph McKim and Jean Garsonnin near Bethany in the City of Kawartha Lakes.
The rolling property lies on the Oak Ridges Moraine, with the eastern portion found in the Core Area, and the western portion found in the Countryside Area of the
Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and City of Kawartha Lakes Official Plan.
The property lies immediately adjacent to the north of the Fleetwood Creek Conservation Area, which is approximately 900 acres in size and contains a kame moraine Earth Science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest. The Fleetwood Creek Natural Area is owned by the Ontario Heritage Trust and is managed by the Kawartha Region Conservation Authority.
The property contains springs and coldwater streams at the headwaters of Fleetwood Creek, which flows north from the Moraine into Pigeon Creek and then into Pigeon Lake. The property is recognized as being part of a significant groundwater recharge area and as having high aquifer vulnerability under mapping for the
Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and for the Trent Conservation Coalition Source Protection Region Assessment Report.
KHC will monitor the property and work with the landowners toward continued rehabilitation of the natural values and long-term stewardship.
Schipper Property
Mieke Schipper donated a conservation agreement on her 100-acre (40 ha) property south of Bobcaygeon in the City of Kawartha Lakes to the Conservancy in 2002. The property is home to the Gamiing Centre for Sustainable Lakeshore Living and includes 30 acres (12 ha) of provincially significant wetland on Pigeon Lake and 65 acres (26 ha) of managed forest. The Gamiing Centre offers education and hands-on demonstrations of ecologically sound practices related to lakes and lakeshores in order to further understanding of and participation in activities that balance human needs with the needs of wildlife and natural lake ecosystems.
Vincent Property
Vincent Woods is 102 acres of managed forest and wetland habitat in North Peterborough County. The long cared for managed forest property was donation by Leslie and Sandra Vincent of Peterborough in 2010. We are thankful to The McLean Foundation for their generous financial support for the acquisition and endowment for future management of the property.
This property contains excellent examples of deciduous forest, coniferous forest, and swamps. A creek drains from a beaver pond into nearby Salmon Lake, providing good access to the lake, which is one of the most pristine, ‘top of the system’ lakes within the Trent-Severn Waterway watershed. Sandy knolls and shoulders next to wetlands provide good habitat for Blanding’s Turtle and possibly Eastern Hog-nosed Snake. Other species on the property include Eastern Pipistrelle (a bat), Whip-poor-will, Common Nighthawk, Five-lined Skink, Cerulean Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler and Southern Flying Squirrel. The neighbouring crown land together with this property provides a continous habitat for moose, bear and other large species. KHC has renewed the Managed Forest Plan on the property for the next 20 years and will be managing the property in accordance with its provisions.
Wells/Ingleton Property
This 80 acres property on North Shore of Stoney Lake was donated in full by the Wells and Ingleton Families in December 2011. This important natural property is known to be one of the most important sites for first nations in the area, second to Quakenbush and Petroglyphs Provincial Park. The property is an important connection in a system of lands protected by KHC over the past few years.
Other properties
The Conservancy is working with landowners and potential purchasers on a number of other properties throughout the Kawartha bioregion. We are providing our expertise along with creative approaches to achieve win-win conservation arrangements.
In May 2006, Mrs. Alice Sharpe donated her 100-acre (40 ha) property to the Conservancy. “The protection of
our land fits well with our personal values – we feel that the special features of our land need to be protected for generations to come”, says Mrs. Sharpe. 
Norman Cowan ensured ongoing conservation of the largest undeveloped island left in Stoney Lake by donating a conservation agreement on his property to the Conservancy in 2005. Eastern Syndicate Island, located in the Boschink Narrows in Douro-Dummer Township, functions as an important habitat stepping stone for wildlife moving between the lake’s granite north shore and its limestone south shore. Maintaining the 5 acre (2 ha) property in its natural state provides habitat for rare dragonflies, herons, deer and other wildlife. It sustains scenic value for lake residents and visitors while maintaining ecological value, water quality and an undisturbed shoreline. 
KHC finalized a Conservation Easement in December 2011 on this incredible 250 acre property owned by Ralph McKim and Jean Garsonnin near Bethany in the City of Kawartha Lakes.
The rolling property lies on the Oak Ridges Moraine, with the eastern portion found in the Core Area, and the western portion found in the Countryside Area of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and City of Kawartha Lakes Official Plan. 
Mieke Schipper donated a conservation agreement on her 100-acre (40 ha) property south of Bobcaygeon in the City of Kawartha Lakes to the Conservancy in 2002. The property is home to the Gamiing Centre for Sustainable Lakeshore Living and includes 30 acres (12 ha) of provincially significant wetland on Pigeon Lake and 65 acres (26 ha) of managed forest. The Gamiing Centre offers education and hands-on demonstrations of ecologically sound practices related to lakes and lakeshores in order to further understanding of and participation in activities that balance human needs with the needs of wildlife and natural lake ecosystems. 
Our mission is to conserve the natural and cultural heritage and distinctive landscapes of the Kawartha bioregion.
