Ducks Unlimited Canada conserves a near-urban provincially significant wetland in Ontario’s Clayton Lake

Ottawa, ON – Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is proud to announce the acquisition of the Clayton Lake Wetland, a 76.68-hectare (189.49-acre) property located just 18 kilometres west of the City of Ottawa. Located along the northwest side of the larger Clayton Lake, this newly conserved area features primarily shallow wetlands, natural shorelines, wild rice beds, and three small islands.

Stewarded by one family for four generations, landowner Jill Jamieson has a deep connection to the land and wanted to ensure it remained unchanged. Her decision to conserve the property, made in memory of her father John Jamieson, ensures the landscape her family has cared for will remain intact for generations to come.

“Ducks Unlimited Canada supports landowners throughout the entire process of conserving the natural integrity of habitats on their land” said Tamara Brown, Central and Eastern Ontario Land Securement and Stewardship Lead at Ducks Unlimited Canada. “The securement of the Clayton Lake Wetland will ensure it remains a thriving ecosystem and a conservation legacy for the Jamieson family.”

This acquisition was made possible with a generous donation by the landowners made in memory of John Jamieson, financial support from the Greenlands Conservation Partnership program funded by the Government of Ontario ’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and administered by the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grants administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited Inc., and state agencies through the Fall Flights partnership program.

“Through the Greenlands Conservation Partnership program, our government is proud to protect these ecologically important lands and support the partners who care for them,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Conserving the Clayton Lake Wetland will protect valuable habitat, support the resilience of the surrounding area and ensure this special landscape can be enjoyed for generations.”

This securement will benefit wildlife and communities alike. Safeguarding a property that includes islands, shorelines and shallow wetlands ensures vital habitat for waterfowl stopover and staging areas, as well as several species at risk, including the Blanding’s Turtle, Least Bittern and Short-eared Owl.

Clayton Lake Wetland adds to a growing network of conserved habitats across Ontario by DUC, strengthening the region’s resilience to climate change while preserving the recreation opportunities the waterbody provides to local communities.

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About Ducks Unlimited Canada

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is the country’s largest land conservancy and a leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC uses sound science and partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations, Indigenous Peoples and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife and the environment. To learn more about DUC’s innovative environmental solutions and services, visit www.ducks.ca.

Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF)

Canada’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF) is a $1.4 billion, ten-year fund (2021–2031) administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada to help conserve, restore, and enhance the management of ecosystems such as wetlands, peatlands, forests, and grasslands, in order to help tackle the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. The NSCSF focuses on three main objectives: (1) conserving carbon-rich ecosystems at high risk of conversion to other uses that would release their stored carbon; (2) improving land management practices to reduce their greenhouse gas emission-causing impacts on Canada’s ecosystems; and (3) restoring degraded ecosystems. Overall, these projects will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and increased carbon sequestration, while also providing benefits for biodiversity and human well-being.

The Greenlands Conservation Partnership program 

The Greenlands Conservation Partnership program is the single largest provincial fund to secure and manage private ecologically important land in Ontario. This unique program, administered by the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, leverages private and other non-provincial dollars to acquire, restore, and manage privately owned natural areas such as wetlands, grasslands, and forests. For every dollar of provincial funding provided, grant recipients match it with a minimum of $2 from other conservation partners, including individual donors, foundations, and other levels of government. Since 2020, the Ontario government has invested $60 million into the program, which has helped to protect nearly 637,530 acres (approximately 258,000 hectares) of private land across the province — more than four times the size of Toronto.

The Ontario Land Trust Alliance

Ontario Land Trust Alliance (OLTA) focuses on providing community, knowledge sharing, and support to land trusts across Ontario. It empowers and supports highly effective, well-governed land trusts that engage their communities to protect forests, wetlands, nature, and water sources and provide natural climate solutions. OLTA builds capacity through training and educational programs, connecting land trusts to each other, resources, and their communities, leading and supporting on-the-ground conservation work, sharing knowledge and best practices, reducing financial barriers to land conservation, promoting organizational excellence, providing access to current research, and acting as a voice for land trusts among the public, governments, and other rightsholders. OLTA’s impact is Ontario-wide through 56 connected charities and communities. Local land trust members currently collectively own and steward over 2,000 natural areas and green spaces across Ontario, with the leadership of thousands of supporters and volunteers annually. To support your local land trust, visit OLTA.ca.