Conservation, Conservator, Landowners, Wetlands, Wildlife

The gathering place

One family’s commitment to conserving Clayton Lake

By Claire Foran November 13, 2026

With its shoreline, islands and marshes, Clayton Lake is an appealing home for waterfowl and several species at risk.

Less than a one-hour drive west of Ottawa brings you to Clayton Lake, a scenic and popular spot for paddling, birding and fishing. Nestled on the northwest shoreline of the lake is the newly conserved Clayton Lake Wetland, a 190-acre (77-hectare) area of shallow wetlands, wild rice beds and three small islands.

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) recently acquired this provincially significant wetland to secure its vital ecological value and habitat. With its shoreline, islands and marshes, the property is an appealing home for waterfowl and several species at risk, including the least bittern, Blanding’s turtle and short-eared owl.

Part of what makes this property special lies in its history. The Jamieson family has been rooted in Lanark County for more than 200 years and on Clayton Lake since the early 1900s. An island on the lake, right on the property’s border, is home to the original family cottage, where landowner Jill Jamieson’s father, John, grew up. In the 1970s, John built a house of his own on the mainland, using materials gathered from the property. That house was the first home Jill and her siblings knew, holding fond memories of first Christmases and swims after school.

For John, the land was part of who he was.

Landowner John Jamieson and his sisters in a rowboat on the property, summer 1940. © DUC

“He had such an appreciation for the area, the land and the nature that came with it,” Jill says.

It was a gathering place, always full of family and friends, a spot he loved sharing as much as tending. Throughout every season the land remains a haven for wildlife, whether for swans migrating through the lake each spring, or the chorus of the natural world heard by the water. As John always said, “You don’t need to go find nature, just go to the west dock and nature comes to you.”

It was from that very dock that John would write his daughter letters poetically describing the changing of seasons and the vibrant sunsets that grace the west side of the lake.

Given its history and ecological significance, Jill wanted to ensure the property remained unchanged — just like her father, who would try to buy any lots that came up for sale to keep the lake largely undeveloped. Her decision to conserve the property, made in memory of John Jamieson, ensures that the landscape her family has cared for will remain a living legacy for generations to come.

This acquisition was made possible in part by a generous donation by the landowners in memory of John Jamieson.

Create a lasting legacy

Since 1974, we’ve conserved more than 1 million acres of wetlands and adjacent habitats across Ontario. We know that every property in Ontario is unique. DUC’s regional specialists can help you explore what land protection options fit your goals.

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