Background

The province's wetlands, woodlands, grasslands and geological land formations are treasures that enrich our natural heritage. The Trust holds in trust for the people of Ontario a portfolio of more than 160 natural properties. It protects habitat for 60 out of 202 species at risk. Deciduous and mixed forest covers the majority of the natural heritage properties in the Trust’s owned-property portfolio.

Protected land includes the habitats of endangered species, rare Carolinian forests, wetlands, sensitive features of the Oak Ridges Moraine, nature reserves on the Canadian Shield, properties on the spectacular Niagara Escarpment, and land for the Bruce Trail.

The Trust acquires natural properties and conservation easements through donation. We promote innovative ways of protecting natural heritage, encourage good stewardship, help communities with local natural conservation projects, and work with conservation authorities, the Bruce Trail Conservancy, the Niagara Escarpment Commission, Indigenous communities, local land trusts, and government at the municipal and provincial levels.

The Trust protects natural areas and raises public awareness about conservation. In all, we have helped to protect 6,126 hectares (15,050 acres) of wetlands, Carolinian forests and flower-studded tall-grass prairies, rugged wild areas on the Canadian Shield, the spectacular Niagara Escarpment and the sensitive features of the Oak Ridges Moraine.