The Northumberland Land Trust has announced plans to add a new protected area in Alnwick Haldimand Township through the donation of more than 70 acres of land.
The property, to be named the Rae Blackwell Nature Reserve, will become the organization’s 20th conservation area in Northumberland County once the transfer process is complete.
Located near the existing de Kleer and Wilhelmina Woods reserves, the property is considered a high priority for conservation. Protecting the land will help connect natural habitats, reduce fragmentation and strengthen wildlife corridors across the region.
The site features a mix of forest, wetlands and meadow habitat. It includes headwaters of Shelter Valley Creek, a cold water system that supports diverse aquatic life and fish species such as steelhead trout.
Six species at risk have been documented on the property, including eastern meadowlark, bobolink and wood thrush.
The land trust says protecting the property will help preserve both habitat and the ecological systems needed to support those species.
The donation is being made by the property owners, with the process involving appraisals, surveys, legal work and municipal approvals. Those steps can cost up to $40,000, along with ongoing stewardship expenses.
The Northumberland Land Trust is a charitable organization that works to preserve natural landscapes across the county through land donations, conservation agreements and land acquisition.
Officials say community support plays a key role in helping protect environmentally significant lands for future generations.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)