GREENOCK TOWNSHIP, ONTARIO — The Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy is proud to announce the protection of 100 acres of ecologically significant land west of Cargill in southern Bruce County. Protection of the land earlier in the year, known as the Greenock Swamp Nature Preserve was made possible through generous support from dedicated donors and Ontario’s Greenlands Conservation Partnership and Canada’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund.
Located adjacent to conservation lands managed by the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority, the Greenock Swamp Nature Preserve lies within the Greenock Swamp Provincially Significant Wetland and Life Science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI), one of the largest forested wetland complexes in southern Ontario. Comprising mostly wetland with areas of upland forest and open field, this landscape provides critical habitat for several Species at Risk, including the Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea), a strikingly rare bird found in very few places in Ontario, as
well as the Eastern Wood-pewee (Contopus virens) and Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina). All three species are experiencing significant population declines due to habitat loss and degradation.
“I’m pleased to see the protection of the Greenock Swamp Nature Preserve move forward with the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy taking the lead on this initiative, with the support of Ontario’s Greenlands Conservation Partnership,” said Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce. “This initiative is a good example of what can be achieved when conservation organizations and government work together to safeguard ecologically significant lands. Protecting natural habitats like the Greenock Swamp ensures that Bruce County’s rich biodiversity is preserved for future generations to come.”
While the property was not immediately threatened by development, it had been logged extensively over the past 35 years and faced ongoing pressure from timber extraction. Its protection ensures this sensitive wetland and forest will be left to recover naturally, providing long-term refuge for wildlife and strengthening climate resilience in the region.
“We were honoured to lead the protection of the Greenock Swamp Nature Preserve, safeguarding this exceptional wetland as a haven for Ontario’s rare and sensitive wildlife,” said Beth Gilhespy, CEO of the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy. “With lasting support from the Greenlands Conservation Partnership and Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, along with our dedicated donor community, we were able to secure contiguous habitat for species at risk, including the Cerulean Warbler, Eastern Wood-pewee, and Wood Thrush. Together, we’re ensuring that this landscape remains a vibrant sanctuary for generations to come.”
This project was made possible with funding support from Ontario’s Greenlands Conservation Partnership program and Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, delivered by the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, which help conserve ecologically important natural areas and improve climate resilience.
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 Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy has safeguarded over 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) of natural habitats, providing critical refuge for numerous species at risk. To learn more about the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy’s work and its Wild Future Campaign, visit escarpment.ca/about/campaigns/wild-future-campaign.
About Environment and Climate Change Canada
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:
1. Conserving carbon-rich ecosystems at high risk of conversion to other uses that would release stored carbon;
2. Improving land management practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Canada’s ecosystems; and
3. 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 51 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.
Media Contact:
Beth Gilhespy
Chief Executive Officer
Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy
escarpment.ca
