To help address some of the conservation challenges in the Lake Erie Region, Long Point Basin Land Trust focuses its actions on the protection of functioning ecosystems, such as woodlands, swamps, marshes, and savanna, as well as the species that rely on these ecosystems for habitat. At the heart of our success is our dedicated volunteers and donors – the community has a vital role to play in conserving ecologically important areas and our native wildlife.
Land securement
Long Point Basin Land Trust works with willing landowners and donors that wish to see lands protected for wildlife and nature. Most of our properties were acquired through generous donations, with the rest being purchased. Before the securement of each parcel, LPBLT conducts a detailed analysis to determine whether the acquisition of potential property is compatible with the conservancy’s goals. Through land securement, Long Point Basin Land Trust is growing the protected lands network, working with conservation partners to ensure the survival and vitality of our wildlife and ecosystems. Visit our Land Securement Page for more details on conservation options – we are always happy to explore new opportunities!
Land stewardship
Land conservation does not end with securement – it is the conservancy’s responsibility to sustainably steward nature reserves. On our properties, our staff team and a group of dedicated volunteers conduct species inventories, invasive plant removals, conifer plantation thinning, species-at-risk monitoring, and insect releases. Stewardship also includes the installation and maintenance of infrastructure, such as trails, signage, nest boxes, boundary signs, and boardwalks. Each year, Long Point Basin Land Trust hosts a few property stewardship volunteer events – an opportunity to learn about property management, and connect with community members.
One of our past successes, our Nurturing Nature project, has allowed public access through well marked trails with an interpretive guide to allow people to witness the diverse habitats and the amazing flora and fauna of the Long Point Basin area.
Community outreach and media
Long Point Basin Land Trust publish several online newsletters each year, providing updates about our events, stewardship work, and conservation successes, packed with compelling, informative and educational context.
Our Featured Species wildlife ecology articles discuss the ecology, behaviour, morphology, and conservation of Long Point’s flora and fauna. We intend to add a similar series on ecosystems in the near-future.
Our free event programme, Explore the Outdoors is a series of interactive events held at Long Point Basin Land Trust nature reserves. This is an opportunity to explore of some of the nature reserves best characteristics, meet community members, and learn more about ecology from one of our expert event leaders. You can also gain insights on how to volunteer as a property steward and how you can volunteer to assist with our property management efforts. For more information visit our Volunteer Page, or see our Volunteer Registration Form.
In addition to our events and published works, LPBLT cooperates wide variety of other organizations, such as Long Point Biosphere, and our generous sponsors – which we are very grateful for their support. We also conduct several presentations to interested groups and businesses interested in learning more about our conservation activities in the Long Point Basin.