OWEN SOUND, ONTARIO — The Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy and Ducks Unlimited Canada are proud to announce the protection of an additional 365 acres of sensitive wetland and forest near the community of Benallen, completing the 600-acre Benallen Nature Preserve. The creation of the Benallen Nature Preserve is a signature achievement in the organization’s Wild Future Campaign and a major milestone for landscape-level conservation in Grey County, ensuring the long-term protection of one of the region’s most ecologically rich and climate-resilient natural areas.
Located just north of Owen Sound, the Benallen Nature Preserve encompasses three contiguous parcels of intact wetlands and forests, forming a thriving natural corridor that supports both biodiversity and community well-being. Bordering a popular multi-use rail trail, the preserve will provide opportunities for hikers, naturalists, and families to experience wellness and connection to nature among thriving wetlands and towering pines.
The Benallen complex is part of the Shouldice Provincially Significant Wetland and lies within a Natural Heritage System Core Area. It connects to other protected lands such as Grey Sauble Conservation Authority’s Keppel Forest and The Glen Management Area, creating an extensive network of protected habitats that sustain wildlife movement across the landscape. Within its diverse terrain, from swamp wetlands and rocky outcrops to beaver ponds and streams, stand ancient Eastern White Pines, one measuring nearly two metres in diameter.
This mosaic of habitats provides refuge for Species at Risk, including Wood Thrush, Eastern Meadowlark, Golden-winged Warbler, Canada Warbler, and Eastern Wood-pewee. The wetlands also support herons, Sandhill Cranes, waterfowl, amphibians, reptiles, deer, and Black Bears, contributing to the area’s exceptional ecological value. Protecting Benallen safeguards these species while supporting clean water, flood mitigation, and climate resilience for future generations.
“Completing the Benallen Nature Preserve is a remarkable achievement for conservation in southern Ontario,” said Beth Gilhespy, CEO of the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy. “This landscape captures everything we stand for: wetlands, forests, and wildlife thriving together. Thanks to our partners and donors, this 600-acre preserve will now be protected forever.”
Ducks Unlimited Canada echoed the sentiment. “The Benallen Nature Preserve highlights how collaboration can lead to lasting conservation success,” said Marie-Paule Godin, DUC’s Manager of Provincial Operations for Ontario. “The project will support wildlife, improve water quality, and contribute to climate goals for years to come.”
The first 233-acre western parcel was secured in 2024 through the partnership between the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy and Ducks Unlimited Canada. With this latest acquisition the entire 600-acre area is now permanently protected. It is a lasting legacy for biodiversity, clean water, and community connection to nature.
“Completing the Benallen Nature Preserve secures 600 acres of wetlands and forests near Owen Sound, is a milestone for conservation in southern Ontario,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “With support from the Greenlands Conservation Partnership program, I thank the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy and its partners for protecting this area so families and visitors can enjoy the outdoors for generations.”
The creation of Benallen Nature Preserve by the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy and Ducks Unlimited Canada was made possible through the dedication of a committed community of supporters and the vital backing of several key funding partners, including Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, the Greenlands Conservation Partnership program administered by the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, the Natural Heritage Conservation Program Land Trusts Conservation Fund administered by Wildlife Habitat Canada, the Ontario Conservation Accelerator Program, the Greenbelt Foundation and Microsoft.
About the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy
The Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to preserving Ontario’s most sensitive and vulnerable landscapes since 1997. To date, the organization has safeguarded over 10,117 hectares (25,000 acres) of natural habitats, providing critical refuge for numerous species at risk.
The Wild Future Campaign is the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy’s multi-year, multi-property conservation initiative aimed at rapidly protecting high-value natural lands across the Niagara Escarpment and Great Lakes region. The campaign envisions large-scale habitat networks, climate-resilient landscapes, and more opportunities for people to connect with nature. The creation of Wildhaven Nature Preserve represents another milestone toward that goal.
To learn more about the Wild Future Campaign, visit escarpment.ca/about/campaigns/wild-future-campaign.
Media Contact:
Beth Gilhespy
Chief Executive Officer
Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy
escarpment.ca
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Ducks Unlimited Canada is the country’s largest land conservancy and a leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC uses sound science and partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations, Indigenous Peoples and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife and the environment. To learn more about DUC’s innovative environmental solutions and services, visit www.ducks.ca.
Media Contact:
Claire Foran
Communications Specialist
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF)
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF) is a $1.4 billion, ten-year fund (2021–2031) administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada to help conserve, restore, and enhance the management of ecosystems such as wetlands, peatlands, forests, and grasslands — tackling the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.
The NSCSF focuses on three main objectives:
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Conserving carbon-rich ecosystems at high risk of conversion to other uses that would release stored carbon;
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Improving land management practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Canada’s ecosystems; and
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Restoring degraded ecosystems to boost carbon sequestration and biodiversity.
These projects contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing carbon storage, and supporting both biodiversity and human well-being.
Greenlands Conservation Partnership Program
The Greenlands Conservation Partnership program is the single largest provincial fund to secure private land in Ontario. This unique program, administered by the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, leverages non-governmental dollars to acquire, restore and manage privately owned natural areas such as wetlands, grasslands and forests. For every dollar of provincial funding provided, grant recipients match it with a minimum of $2 from other conservation partners, including individual donors, foundations and other levels of government. Since 2020, the Ontario government has invested $58 million into the program, which has helped to protect over 430,000 acres (174,310 hectares) of private land across the province – more than 2.75 times the size of Toronto.
About Ontario Land Trust Alliance
Ontario Land Trust Alliance (OLTA) focuses on providing community, knowledge sharing and support to land trusts across Ontario. It empowers and supports highly effective, well-governed land trusts that engage their communities to protect forests, wetlands, nature, and water sources and provide natural climate solutions. OLTA builds capacity through training and educational programs, connecting land trusts to each other, resources, and their communities, leading and supporting on-the-ground conservation work, sharing knowledge and best practices, reducing financial barriers to land conservation, promoting organizational excellence, providing access to current research and acting as a voice for land trusts among the public, governments, and other rightsholders.
Our impact is Ontario-wide through 56 connected charities and communities. OLTA’s local land trust members currently collectively own and steward over 2,000 natural areas and green spaces across Ontario, with the leadership of thousands of supporters and volunteers annually. To support your local land trust, visit: www.OLTA.ca.
The Government of Canada’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program Fund (NHCP)
The Government of Canada’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program Fund (NHCP), administered by Wildlife Habitat Canada, is a unique partnership that supports the creation and recognition of protected and conserved areas through the acquisition of private land and private interest in land. To date, the Government of Canada has invested more than $500 million in the Program, which has been matched with more than $1 billion in contributions raised by Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited and the country’s land trust community leading to the protection and conservation of more than 840,000 hectares of ecologically sensitive lands.
The Ontario Conservation Accelerator Program
The Ontario Conservation Accelerator Program is a province-wide initiative that speeds up land conservation by bringing expert support in government relations, conservation planning, and fundraising to partners across sectors, including Indigenous, conservation, forestry, and government groups. It builds strong public and private partnerships, develops scalable conservation models, and leads projects in areas without active land trusts. With more than 50 projects in progress, over 60 partners, and 10,600 hectares already conserved, the program has the potential to influence up to 750,000 hectares across Ontario.
The Greenbelt Foundation
The Greenbelt Foundation is a charitable organization solely dedicated to ensuring the Greenbelt remains permanent, protected, and prosperous. We make the right investments in its interconnected natural, agricultural, and economic systems to ensure a working, thriving Greenbelt for all. Ontario’s Greenbelt is one of the world’s largest with over two million acres of farmland, forests, wetlands, and rivers working together to provide clean air, fresh water, and a reliable local food source. greenbelt.ca.
Microsoft Canada Inc.
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Inc. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq “MSFT”). With more than 5,300 full-time employees, 11 offices across the country, two Azure datacentre regions in Ontario and Quebec, and a network of more than 17,400 Canadian technology partners, Microsoft Canada delivers the security, data protections, infrastructure, and training to drive Cloud and AI impact. Microsoft Canada is committed to making AI available broadly and doing so responsibly, with a mission to empower every person and every organization in Canada to achieve more.
