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Head-of-the-Lake Land Trust
For Nature, Forever

With the purchase of our Spooky Hollow Nature Sanctuary in 1961 the HNC became Ontario's first land trust.

Nature Sanctuaries

HLT Nature Sanctuaries

Spooky Hollow Nature Sanctuary Short Hills Nature Sanctuary Cartwright Nature Sanctuary Thomas & Mary Young Nature Sanctuary

For almost half a century an important focus of the work of the HNC has been the permanent protection of ecologically significant lands through land purchase, conservation easements or donations or land or conservation easements by conservation- minded landowners. With the purchase of our Spooky Hollow Nature Sanctuary in 1961 the HNC became Ontario's first land trust. Over the years the club has raised more than $600,000 for the permanent protection of natural areas through our nature sanctuaries and through support of acquisitions by other conservation groups.

Cartwright Nature Sanctuary (Photo: Alan Ernest)

The properties that the HNC owns and/or manages to permanently protect their natural heritage values are called Nature Sanctuaries - a reflection of the priority placed on maintaining and enhancing the natural features and ecological values of these sites. Scores of volunteers are involved in the management of our nature sanctuaries. Their work is coordinated by the HNC's Sanctuary Land Trust committee, as part of our Head-of-the-Lake Land Trust Program.

Management costs are covered primarily by donations to the HNC's Sanctuary Fund, which provides for ongoing maintenance costs and supports special projects, and the Habitat Preservation Endowment Fund - part of the income from which supports management costs for the Sanctuaries. To find out more about these funds or to make a donation click here.

In some of our Nature Sanctuaries footpaths have been built to allow for walking, nature viewing and other low impact activities in a manner that will not negatively impact the ecological values and functions of the site. Pedestrian based recreational uses are permitted under controlled conditions in some of our Nature Sanctuaries, where such uses can be accommodated without negative impacts on the ecological values of the Nature Sanctuary. Horses, bicycles or motorized vehicles are not permitted in the nature sanctuaries nor is hunting, fishing or the removal of any natural materials. Access permitted, if any, is mentioned under the descriptions of each nature sanctuary.

For more information on HNC Nature Sanctuaries, to find out how to get involved or for permission to access the Short Hills or Spooky Hollow Nature Sanctuaries please contact our sanctuary director .