FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NORFOLK COUNTY, ONTARIO, October 6 — Long Point Basin Land Trust (LPBLT) recently secured the protection of a 61.7-acre (25-hectare) property along Mud Creek in southern Norfolk County — an area of global importance for ecological research, habitat conservation, and endangered species.
Located within the Dedrick Creek – Mud Creek corridor, the property contains a diverse mix of forest, grassland, riparian areas, creek, and farmland. It is directly connected to a large conservation block anchored by Backus Woods, considered core habitat of the internationally-significant Long Point World Biosphere Reserve.
“Mud Creek is a cornerstone property for biodiversity, scientific research, and species at risk,” said Wendy Cridland, Executive Director of Long Point Basin Land Trust. “Protecting this site ensures the continuation of internationally-recognized research and safeguards rare species that rely on these lands.”
Bobbi Ann Brady, Member of Provincial Parliament for Haldimand–Norfolk, added: “Permanent protection of the Mud Creek property contributes to a much larger complex of protected lands enjoyed by our community. This property safeguards habitat for species at risk, supports world-class ecological research, and strengthens the natural legacy of Norfolk County. I commend Long Point Basin Land Trust and its partners for their vision and commitment to conservation.”
A Living Laboratory for Research
For the last 35 years, re-naturalized farmland on the property has hosted research on Tree Swallows. It is part of one of the world’s longest-running studies on the breeding biology of a single species. In 2024 alone, 81 nest boxes produced 223 fledglings. Conducted by the Long Point Bird Observatory, the program has banded over 30,000 swallows, collected extensive insect data, and trained more than 200 volunteers. The research is part of a large international program across the Americas and provides critical insights into breeding performance, food abundance, and climate change impacts. With the property conserved, the research site will be protected in perpetuity.
Critical Habitat for Endangered Species
The property adds to vital habitat as part of a much larger protected area supporting species at risk that require large, intact and connected natural lands. Rare turtles and snakes, as well as songbirds and bats, benefit greatly from over 1000 hectares of connected and protected habitat. Without protection, Mud Creek faced imminent threats including grassland conversion to agriculture, increased recreational vehicle use, and the spread of invasive species.
“The protection of Mud Creek is an important step forward in conserving Ontario’s natural heritage,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Through the Greenlands Conservation Partnership program, our government is proud to support the Long Point Basin Land Trust in securing this ecologically significant site. This investment helps preserve valuable habitat, supports long-term research, and contributes to building resilience across the province.”
Benefits of Conservation at Mud Creek
• Ensures continuation of internationally significant Tree Swallow research
• Safeguards critical habitat for species at risk
• Restores and connects a larger natural habitat corridor along Mud Creek
• Enhances climate action through carbon sequestration and storage
Restoration Goals
Planned efforts include removing invasive species and seeding an agricultural field with native plants, supporting its transition into a healthy successional forest that will further buffer the Mud Creek natural corridor.
A Collaborative Effort
Protection of Mud Creek was made possible through the generous support of numerous partners and contributors, including: Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, Greenlands Conservation Partnership, Echo Foundation, Alan and Pat Koval Foundation, Ontario Conservation Accelerator, Grapes for Humanity, Carolinian Canada, and Power Corporation of Canada. To contribute to this project or other work of the Long Point Basin Land Trust, visit: https://longpointlandtrust.ca/donate or email to: general@longpointlandtrust.ca.
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ABOUT LONG POINT BASIN LAND TRUST
Long Point Basin Land Trust (LPBLT) is a charitable organization dedicated to protecting and stewarding ecologically significant lands in southwestern Ontario. Since 1996, LPBLT has safeguarded over 1,260 acres working across Norfolk, Haldimand, Elgin, Brant, and Oxford Counties. As a founding member of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, LPBLT upholds high conservation standards and ethical stewardship practices.
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA
This project was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada through the federal Department of Environment and Climate Change.
ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA’S Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund 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, in order to help tackle 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 their stored carbon; (2) improving land management practices to reduce their greenhouse gas emission-causing impacts on Canada’s ecosystems; and (3) restoring degraded ecosystems. Overall, these projects will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and increased carbon sequestration, while also providing benefits for biodiversity and human well-being.
ABOUT THE GOVERMENT OF ONTARIO Greenlands Conservation Partnership (GCP) Program Fund
Long Point Basin Land Trust gratefully acknowledges the support of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance and the Government of Ontario through the Greenlands Conservation Partnership. 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 (OLTA)
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 OLTA.ca.
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