For nearly three decades, the Lanark Stewardship Council (LSC) worked to protect the natural environment of Lanark County, Ontario. Though the organization closed in December 2023, its impact continues through many partner organizations. In the following sections, we tell the story of the LSC and highlight current efforts to preserve Lanark County’s forests, wetlands, and wildlife, including unique species like fishers and wild turkeys.
Introduction: Why Stewardship Matters
Lanark County’s landscape features a rich tapestry of forests, wetlands, rivers, and lakes that support diverse wildlife populations. The region sits at the interface of the Canadian Shield and limestone flats, with over 57% of its 300,000 hectares covered in forest. With more than 50 lakes and three large rivers, the county provides crucial habitat for countless species.
Community-led stewardship has proven essential for preserving these ecosystems. When government funding for environmental programs fluctuates, volunteer-driven organizations like the Lanark Stewardship Council step in to fill the gaps. These grassroots efforts connect landowners with scientific expertise and practical resources, ensuring conservation happens at the local level where it matters most.
However, securing long-term funding for conservation remains a challenge, leading to discussions on alternative revenue sources, including taxes from industries like online gambling.
Gambling for a Cause: Supporting Conservation with Casino Taxes
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Investing casino revenue into environmental projects – such as wetland restoration, wildlife corridors, and reforestation – could provide stable funding without relying solely on government grants or private donations. For instance, players in Ontario seeking a refined mix of entertainment and reliabilitycan investigate the leading sites that set the standard this year, helping you fuel such initiatives and find out the best online casino Ontario, deposit and withdrawal options, and the ways Ontario regulates online gambling sector. Exploring sustainable funding models like this could help maintain and expand stewardship initiatives even after organizations like the LSC have closed.
List of How Casino Revenues Could Support Conservation:
- Habitat Restoration – Funding wetland and forest rehabilitation.
- Wildlife Protection – Creating safe migration corridors for local species.
- Community Education – Promoting eco-awareness through funded programs.
- Green Infrastructure – Developing sustainable parks and trails.
By channelling casino revenues into initiatives like habitat restoration and wildlife protection, we can safeguard the diverse ecosystems of Lanark County, where understanding and preserving unique habitats, such as the forests and wetlands described below, is crucial for effective conservation.
Protecting What’s Ours: The Habitats of Lanark County
Beyond funding, effective conservation requires understanding the landscapes we’re working to protect. Lanark County is home to forests, wetlands, rivers, and farmlands that support a variety of plant and animal species. Understanding these habitats helps landowners make conservation-minded decisions about their properties.
Forest Stewardship & Woodlots
Forests dominate Lanark County’s landscape, providing economic benefits, wildlife habitat, and environmental services. Sustainable forestry practices help maintain these benefits while ensuring forests remain healthy for future generations.
Key stewardship practices include:
- Preserving standing dead trees (snags) as habitat for over 50 species of birds and mammals
- Creating wildlife corridors between forest patches
- Maintaining “mast trees” that produce nuts and fruits for wildlife
- Controlling invasive species that threaten native plants
- Restoring old-growth characteristics to enhance biodiversity
Organizations provide resources to help landowners implement these practices, from identifying invasive species to planning selective harvests that protect wildlife.
Lake & River Habitats
The waterways of Lanark County support complex ecosystems that have been altered by human development. Natural features like underwater woody debris provide crucial habitat for fish, turtles, and aquatic invertebrates, but human activity has significantly reduced these elements.
Conservation initiatives focus on:
- Creating in-water brush bundles to replace lost woody habitat
- Protecting the “riparian zone” along shorelines from development
- Discouraging harmful practices like creating artificial beaches or hardened shorelines
- Promoting native plant restoration along waterways
- Managing beaver activity to balance wetland creation with flooding concerns
These efforts help maintain water quality while supporting native fish and wildlife populations.
Living with Wildlife
As human settlement expands in rural areas, conflicts with wildlife inevitably arise. Rather than taking extreme measures, the LSC promoted coexistence through education and practical solutions.
The organization provided detailed guidance on managing interactions with:
- Bears and coyotes (reducing food attractants)
- Beavers (installing flow devices like “beaver bafflers”)
- Fishers in Ontario (protecting pets and livestock)
- Raccoons, skunks, and squirrels (humane exclusion techniques)
- Deer and wild turkey in Canada (deterrents and habitat management)
This balanced approach acknowledged both wildlife conservation needs and legitimate property concerns.
The Value of Wetlands
Approximately 70% of wetlands in southern Ontario have been lost to development and agriculture. Those that remain provide crucial environmental services:
- Filtering pollutants from water
- Storing floodwater and preventing erosion
- Stabilizing local climate conditions
- Supporting biodiversity, from amphibians to waterfowl
Organizations like the LSC educated landowners about wetland value and connected them with resources for restoration and enhancement.
Sustainable Farmland
Agriculture remains important in Lanark County, particularly in the southern and eastern portions. Environmentally sound farming practices, known as Best Management Practices (BMPs), help reduce agriculture’s impact while maintaining productive land.
These practices include:
- Crop rotation and minimizing tillage
- Using cover crops and native plants in field margins
- Reducing commercial fertilizer use in favour of manure and compost
- Minimizing pesticide application
- Creating buffer strips and hedgerows for beneficial insects
- Integrating crop and livestock production
What Is the Lanark Stewardship Council?
The Lanark Stewardship Council operated from 1995 until December 2023 as a volunteer, community-based organization dedicated to environmental stewardship in Lanark County. For its first 18 years, the council had a full-time coordinator and $10,000 in annual seed funding from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR). When this funding ended in 2013, the council continued to operate with volunteers for another decade.
The LSC worked with individuals, community groups, municipalities, and organizations to provide information, expertise, and resources for environmental initiatives. It formed part of a network of stewardship councils across Ontario but operated independently within Lanark County.
Key Initiatives by the Lanark Stewardship Council
Throughout its existence, the LSC undertook diverse projects to protect the local environment:
- Wetland Conservation: Educated landowners about wetland value and restoration techniques
- Wildlife Habitat Protection: Created resources for coexisting with local wildlife species
- Forestry & Land Management: Promoted sustainable forestry practices and tree planting
- Road Mortality & Wildlife Corridors: Worked to reduce wildlife deaths on roadways
- Youth & Community Engagement: Organized Scouts tree planting events and Envirothon competitions
The council’s strength came from its extensive partnerships with over 40 organizations, from conservation authorities to hunting clubs to local governments. This collaborative approach allowed it to leverage limited resources for maximum impact.
The Final Project: The Invasive Species Toolkit
Before closing in December 2023, the LSC completed a final project: the Invasive Species Toolkit. This resource helps individuals identify, manage, and prevent invasive species on their properties. The toolkit addresses both terrestrial and aquatic invasive species that threaten Lanark County’s biodiversity.
Who’s Carrying on the Mission?
While the Lanark Stewardship Council may have closed, its environmental mission continues through various organizations and initiatives. These groups build on the foundation established by the LSC, adapting to new challenges like climate change while maintaining a focus on local ecosystems.
Climate Network Lanark
The Climate Network Lanark (CNL) was established by the Lanark Stewardship Council to focus specifically on climate change issues. The network brings together community members to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through practical strategies:
- Promoting renewable energy instead of fossil fuels
- Using natural systems to absorb carbon emissions
- Improving energy efficiency in buildings and transportation
- Expanding organic waste composting programs
- Helping communities prepare for climate impacts
CNL works with Lanark County government to implement the Climate Action Plan adopted in November 2023, which aims to reduce community emissions by 10% below 2019 levels by 2030 and 80% by 2050.
Lanark County Emissions Inventory (2019)
| Category | Community Emissions (tonnes CO₂e) | Corporate Emissions (tonnes CO₂e) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 696,972 | 2,462 |
| Reduction Target 2030 | 10% below 2019 levels | 25% below 2019 levels |
| Reduction Target 2050 | 80% below 2019 levels | 80% below 2019 levels |
The plan includes corporate goals related to education, transportation and equipment, buildings and energy, waste management, and the Lanark County Housing Corporation. Community goals focus on transportation, buildings, natural heritage, waste management, and planning.
The One Million Tree Program
Lanark County has partnered with the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) to plant one million trees over ten years. This initiative continues the reforestation work that the LSC supported throughout its existence.
Trees play a crucial role in:
- Capturing carbon dioxide to mitigate climate change
- Providing wildlife habitat
- Preventing soil erosion
- Improving water quality
Landowners with at least 1.25 acres of suitable land can apply to RVCA’s subsidized tree planting program, which provides custom planting plans.
The Great Canadian Pollinator Pathway
The decline of pollinators like bees, butterflies, and other insects has significant implications for ecosystems and agriculture. Several initiatives in Lanark County work to reverse this trend:
- Mayors’ Monarch Pledge: Lanark County has committed to creating a habitat for monarch butterflies, earning recognition in the Leadership Circle
- School Pollinator Projects: Three elementary schools have converted portions of their yards into pollinator habitat
- Native Seed Giveaways: The county distributes a mix of 24 pollinator-friendly native plants
- Roadside Restoration: The county’s Vegetation Management Plan includes establishing diverse pollinator habitat in roadside zones
Volunteer Butterfly Rangers, like Clara Misener who works with the David Suzuki Foundation’s Butterflyway Project, help create networks of native plant gardens to support pollinators.
ALUS Mississippi-Rideau
ALUS (Alternative Land Use Services) Mississippi-Rideau supports farmers in creating ecosystem projects on their land, including:
- Reforestation
- Windbreaks
- Riparian buffers
- Wetland projects
- Tallgrass prairie
- Pollinator habitat
Initiated by Climate Network Lanark and Lanark County, the program is administered by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority. These projects help sequester carbon, support biodiversity, and reduce downstream flooding.
How Local Communities Are Taking Action
Environmental stewardship happens at many levels in Lanark County, from individual actions to municipal policies. Communities are finding practical ways to reduce their environmental impact while building resilience against climate change. These grassroots efforts demonstrate that local action can make a significant difference in addressing global environmental challenges.
Plastic Reduction & Waste Diversion
Lanark County has taken concrete steps to reduce plastic waste:
- Banned single-use plastic bags and straws as of July 1, 2021 (voluntary compliance)
- Supports the federal goal of zero plastic waste by 2030
- Promotes composting through education and resources
- Supports initiatives like Just Good Compost, a pilot project in Almonte that collects food scraps and turns them into garden compost
These efforts help reduce methane emissions from landfills while encouraging more sustainable consumption patterns.
Restoring Wetlands & Shorelines
Local conservation authorities and organizations like Ducks Unlimited work with landowners to restore wetlands and natural shorelines. These projects:
- Improve water quality by filtering pollutants
- Reduce flood risks
- Create habitat for species ranging from fish to amphibians to birds
- Store carbon to mitigate climate change
Resources help landowners identify wetland types on their property and implement appropriate restoration techniques.
Pollinator & Wildlife Protection
Beyond the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge and school pollinator projects, Lanark County implements several wildlife protection measures:
- The Integrated Vegetation Management Plan uses targeted approaches to control invasive plants while protecting pollinators
- Educational resources help residents identify and avoid harmful interactions with wildlife
- Programs like “Share a ride through the Community Car Pool website” reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions
Fisher Animal Conservation Efforts
The fisher animal in Ontario has become an important focus of wildlife management efforts. These members of the weasel family (Martes pennanti) are forest-dwelling predators that have experienced population changes due to habitat alteration and trapping pressure.
The LSC worked to dispel myths about this often misunderstood animal. Many residents feared the fisher weasel in Ontario, believing exaggerated stories about its behaviours. Educational materials clarified that while fishers occasionally prey on small pets, they primarily hunt porcupines, rabbits, rodents, and small birds.
A fisher attack on domestic animals typically occurs in late winter when natural prey is scarce. The LSC provided guidance on protecting pets and livestock through simple precautions like keeping animals indoors at night and securing garbage and pet food.
The province manages its fisher cat Ontario populations through a quota system of approximately one fisher per 25 square kilometres. Landowners along Fisher Ave and similar rural areas were encouraged to appreciate these animals’ ecological role while taking reasonable precautions to prevent conflicts.
What Can You Do?
While the Lanark Stewardship Council may have closed its doors, environmental stewardship in Lanark County continues through numerous organizations and initiatives. Residents can get involved by:
- Volunteering with climate groups or conservation authorities
- Participating in tree-planting events
- Creating pollinator-friendly gardens with native plants
- Implementing sustainable practices on their own property
- Supporting local environmental initiatives through donations or advocacy
The future of Lanark County’s environment depends on continued community engagement and action. Though the organizations and approaches may evolve, the commitment to preserving the region’s natural heritage remains strong.