Ground-breaking Investment Model for Sustainable Landscapes Scales Up Across Southern Ontario

Norfolk County, ON (May 17, 2023)

The Long Point Basin Land Trust is proud to partner with Carolinian Canada and other investment partners and conservation groups to accelerate the pace of conservation in the Long Point region through the Conservation Impact Bond (CIB) program

More than 1.58 million dollars have been raised from multi-sector funders and investors and has resulted in the improvement and resiliency of 269 hectares of land here in Southwestern Ontario. As of April 2023, the CIB is supporting 54 healthy landscape projects across the Carolinian Zone resulting in numerous ecological, sociocultural, and economic benefits including: 

  • Centering Indigenous goals and communities in land management 
  • Supporting local stewards who are growing 40,000 native plants, 825 gardens, and 65 learning spaces ● Supporting 41 jobs and connecting over 1,000 individuals in 20 communities in high quality learning activities 
  • Receiving the international Finance for the Future Climate Leader award in 2022 

“The CIB outcomes have exceeded expectations. More habitat has been improved and more communities connected meaningfully to the land,” said Michelle Kanter, Executive Director of Carolinian Canada. “The solutions we create here for the biodiversity and climate crises can be actioned in other regions.” 

The Long Point Walsingham Forest Priority Place in Norfolk County was selected as the focal region for this project as it supports a high level of biodiversity, significant numbers of species at risk, a concentration of mobilized and engaged conservation organizations, and has substantial environmental pressures. It is one of 11 regions across Canada that have been designated as a natural priority place by Environment and Climate Change Canada in 2017, and the only federally designated priority place in Ontario. 

“It is exciting to see the expansion of the Conservation Impact Bond into the Long Point Walsingham Forest Priority Place, further validating the untapped potential of conservation finance here in Canada,” said Diane-Laure Arjalies, Associate Professor, Ivey Business School. 

“The support provided through the Conservation Impact Bond enabled Long Point Basin Land Trust to protect and care for the Stackhouse Forest Sanctuary, which contains over 20 hectares of pristine woodland and a provincially significant wetland,” said Rick Levick, Executive Director of Long Point Basin Land Trust. “We are proud to be working with partners across different sectors to collectively achieve impactful conservation goals here in the Carolinian Region.” 

To learn more about this innovative model, read the full release here

About the Long Point Basin Land Trust 

Long Point Basin Land Trust, a charitable non-government organization, was founded in 1996 with a mission to protect and restore functioning ecosystems in the central Carolinian Region. This is 

Canada Revenue Agency Registered Charity #891135493 RR0001

accomplished through land ownership, land management and nature stewardship. LPBLT currently protects thirteen nature reserves, totaling 843 acres. The Land Trust’s Explore the Outdoors program provide opportunities for people to connect with nature through hands-on outdoor experiences. 

Media contact: 

Rick Levick 

Executive Director 

Phone: 519-586-8309 

executivedirector@longpointlandtrust.ca

Jackie Ellefsen

Senior Development Manager