The Township of South Glengarry and the Raisin Region Conservation Authority (RRCA) are pleased to announce that a combined 115 acres of forests at two sites in South Glengarry will be donated to the Conservation Authority.  

“We are pleased to entrust this land to the RRCA for perpetual conservation” says South Glengarry Mayor and RRCA Board Member, Lyle Warden. “These forests will continue to strengthen our region’s tree cover and provide valuable plant and wildlife habitat.” 

The larger of the two forests is 100 acres in size, and is located in Glen Roy, between Caber Road and County Road 25, while the smaller, 15-acre site is in Lancaster Heights, along the Ontario and Quebec border. Both sites feature a healthy diversity of tree species, including sugar maple, bur oak, black ash, red pine, as well as an endangered tree species: butternut.  

South Glengarry voted to donate the land to the RRCA during its April 4 council meeting. Township staff had recommended the two parcels be transferred to an organization with the expertise to maintain the existing forests. The RRCA’s Board of Directors accepted the two forests at its April 21 meeting.   

“We are honoured to have been chosen as the steward of these forests,” says RRCA Chair and South Glengarry Councillor, Martin Lang. “A strong tree canopy plays an invaluable role in the overall health our watersheds. The RRCA will make sure these two forests are protected and maintained into the future.” 

The donation follows last year’s gifting of a 100-acre wetland to the RRCA by the Township of South Stormont in the area known as Lakeview Marsh. Currently, the RRCA manages and conserves 1,644 acres of environmentally significant land in order to enhance forest cover, conserve sensitive ecological habitat, and provide recreational opportunities to the public.  

For more information, please go to rrca.on.ca or contact (613) 938-3611 or [email protected].