A stretch of Lake Huron shoreline near Tobermory will now be permanently protected, thanks to a new land acquisition by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC).
The organization has purchased a 29-hectare property in an area known as China Cove, a site that was previously approved for residential development. The land will now be conserved under the name "Aah Mahwi Nibi," or "Crying Water," a name inspired by stories passed down through the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation.
The newly protected area includes nearly a kilometre of intact shoreline, as well as wetlands, forests, and globally rare alvar habitats. Located on the northern Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula, the land is part of a region where only about eight kilometres of undeveloped shoreline remain.
"This is a really exciting property for us," said Brianne Curry, Communications Manager for NCC’s Ontario Region. "It protects about a kilometre of intact shoreline, and those areas are incredibly important for many species, including fish that spawn in nearshore habitats."
The property had been subdivided for development, but the landowner approached NCC with the hope of finding a long-term conservation solution. Over time, NCC secured funding from private donors, foundations, and both provincial and federal governments, allowing the land to be purchased and permanently protected.
"Now that it’s been protected, the land will be cared for in trust and perpetuity," Curry said. "It’s part of our ongoing effort to protect key natural areas across the province and create a resilient network of conserved lands."
NCC says the property adds to more than 24,000 hectares of protected land on the Bruce Peninsula and forms part of a broader network that supports migratory birds and other species affected by habitat fragmentation and climate change.
"Species don’t understand property boundaries," Curry explained. "So when we look at migratory birds traveling north through Ontario toward the boreal forest, it’s important that they have connected stepping stones of habitat to support their life cycles."
These conservation corridors not only benefit wildlife, but also play a role in maintaining clean air and water, and offer long-term recreational and educational value to surrounding communities.
The site is also home to several species at risk, including the eastern massasauga rattlesnake, Hill’s thistle, and midland painted turtle. Its globally rare alvars (a type of limestone plain with thin soil and unique plant communities) are found in few places around the world and are highly vulnerable to development.
The federal government contributed to the project through the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, and the Ontario government supported it through the Greenlands Conservation Partnership Program. Bruce Power also provided funding through its Environment and Sustainability Fund.
Curry said projects like this are not as rare as people might think. "Across Ontario, NCC is working on about 20 projects this year alone. Some are purchases like this one, others come through donations or ecological gifts, which offer tax incentives."
Since 1962, NCC has helped protect more than 15 million hectares of land across Canada, with over 250,000 hectares secured in Ontario alone.