MOTO CANADA is the not-for-profit organization representing the interests of the manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, mopeds, scooters, all-terrain vehicles, side-by-sides and related industries in Canada. MOTO Canada requested that HHLT's Chair, Todd Hall, speak to their members, district managers and dealers to help clarify HHLT's position regarding access to trails in the county, the implications of the Highlands Wildlife Corridor and any proposed conservation reserves.
The meeting was held April 29th 2025 (i.e. before the provincial government's decision not to proceed with the Milburn-Kendrick conservation reserve) via video conference. While the information presented is available on the Trust’s website, it was felt that a synopsis of the information presented would make the information more readily accessible.
If you are interested in HHLT's position on the use of motorized recreational vehicles on Crown Land or Conservation Reserves, this presentation will be of interest to you. The following is a summary of the presentation:
Position on Crown Land use:
HHLT supports all responsible use of Crown land by motorized vehicle trail riders, hunters, trappers, hikers and researchers. We have never advocated for restricting or prohibiting public use of Crown land.
What is the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust (HHLT)?
- A non-profit, environmental charity.
- Non-governmental.
- It is NOT a conservation authority.
- HHLT does not acquire Crown land, nor do we manage Crown land or Conservationc Reserves. We are no different than any other stakeholder in the county. We do not have any special authorities. We have been a community-based organization since 2005.
What is HHLT’s purpose?
HHLT's purpose is to conserve land and water within Haliburton for future generations. We do this by the acquisition of ecologically sensitive land, research and education and outreach:
- We acquire and/or manage land representative of Haliburton’s natural landscape and historic/cultural heritage. We only acquire private lands. The process is entirely voluntary. We own about 1300 acres, one property having an ATV trail on it. (since acquisition in 2018)
- We encourage broad community engagement and understanding through education and outreach. We believe in the importance of education in ensuring our natural and cultural heritage is protected.
- We conduct research to inform conservation decisions. We share this research with others such as the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry (OMNRF), local planners, Bancroft Minden Forest Company (BMFC), and more recently have offered to share the research with the Ontario Trail Preservation Alliance (OTPA).
- We encourage and support private land stewardship initiatives which contribute to land and water protection, for example the HHLT Partners in Conservation (PIC) program and the Ontario government’s Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP). HHLT's focus is on conservation not preservation. With conservation the idea is to carefully use resources with the goal of long-term benefit. Using this definition, sustainable logging would be considered conservation. The idea of conservation is distinct from preservation which involves setting something aside from development.
Conservation, Recreation and Commerce in Harmony
HHLT:
- Recognizes the community’s deep ties with the land.
- Respects the importance of the land to the local economy, tourism and culture.
- Envisions a county where a sustainable balance among different interest groups can be established based on our shared belief in the importance of protecting the land.
Why are Corridors Important?
Wildlife corridors are similar to trail corridors – a means of getting from point A to B. The Highlands Corridor;
- is a significant wildlife corridor, part of one of the most important areas for connectivity east of the Rockies.
- forms part of the Algonquin to Adirondacks corridor. Wildlife corridors are not of course delineated by hard boundaries. Why then did HHLT make reference to 100,000 hectares? The 100,000 ha was ‘blue sky’ thinking. We know as you do, that animals don’t acknowledge lines drawn on a map. We defined the area to enable discussion of the idea and to focus our research. We had been looking for ways to increase protection of wildlife habitats in this area. One ‘nature-based solution’ is the natural environment’s ability to reduce the effects of extreme rainfall and the potential for flooding. One has only to recall the recurring flooding in Minden to know just how important this is. (Flooding has occurred in 2013, 2017 and 2019. Minden’s Mayor recently noted that Minden wasn’t out of the woods yet when it comes to flooding.)
- The corridor lands are:
- rich with wetlands, forests, wildlife communities, species at risk and deep carbon deposits.
- a nature-based solution to building climate change resilience, protecting lands and
waters, and maintaining biodiversity.
Species at Risk (SAR) of disappearing
- Highlands Corridor is home to 96% of the SAR documented in the Haliburton County.
- The Highlands Corridor supports 47 species at risk, 59 provincially significant species and 82 regionally or locally significant species.
- For example, the Eastern Wolf, (or Algonquin Wolf) which is currently threatened, (i.e., likely to become endangered); the Golden-winged Warbler which is threatened nationally and a species of Special Concern provincially; and the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake which is threatened nationally and provincially due to its rarity.
Importance of Conservation Reserves
Conservation reserves (CRs) are Crown land with a higher level of protection. Logging, mining and aggregate extraction are not allowed on CRs. Recreational activities such as hiking, and
snowshoeing, use of trails by motorized vehicles and hunting and trapping continue to be allowed.
HHLT has identified an an ecologically sensitive area with exceptionally high biodiversity that we call the Millburn Kendrick Area of Interest (MKAI). The MKAI is 8500 hectares which sounds like a vast area, and it is, but to put it into context - MKAI represents approximately 2% of all lands and waters in Haliburton County.
The MKAI is made up of;
- 11% Rocky Barrens which is prime habitat to several Species at Risk such as Ontario’s only lizard – the Common Five-Lined Skink
- 24% wetlands including 5 provincially significant wetland complexes. Wetlands help with flood protection, and absorb/store CO 2 , removing it from the atmosphere thereby
helping to mitigate climate change. - MKAI is home to 22 provincially significant species 26 species that are recognized as rare, and 32 species at risk.
Why isn't existing Crown land protection good enough?
According to the Auditor General (of Canada) in their 2022 report, Biodiversity Loss has Reached Crisis Proportions. Over that past 20 years, the number of species at risk or that have become extinct has doubled (about 4% per year). Biodiversity loss is directly tied to habitat loss, and habitat fragmentation.
By having different levels of protection e.g., CRs and parks, the province recognizes that that basic protection on Crown land is not always sufficient.
Conservation Reserve Process
As you may be aware, the government has decided not to proceed with the process to consider designating the MKAI as a CR. This decision highlights the fact that the creation conservation reserves are under the jurisdiction of provincial governments.
However, to address some of the key concerns, specifically about consultation, a quick overview of the formal government process is worthwhile. When the government made its decision not to proceed, the process was very early in the preplanning stage. If the government had decided to move forward with consideration the formal consultation process would have begun. Unfortunately, the decision was made prior to all key stakeholders having a chance to provide input.
The legislative process mandates several stages for public consultation. It is important to understand that HHLT has no authority to direct or influence these consultations. The process is lengthy and often takes many years with ‘public’, stakeholder and Indigenous consultation happening at several stages.
One concern expressed by motorized vehicle users was that if the designation was ultimately approved, HHLT would administer the management plan. This is not so – an Ontario provincial government official administers the plan.
Stakeholder Support for MKAI
Bancroft Minden Forest Company’s (BMFC) support for the MKCR is based on a variety of considerations including it being a strategic, proactive, economic, and balanced approach:
- Strategic - The area of interest was determined to not negatively impact on shareholders or the forestry industry because of low timber productivity and high conservation value. Further, it represents an appropriate site to contribute to the Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) Conservation Area Network.
- Proactive —BMFC’s position is that it prefers to work collaboratively with the province rather than risk losing more productive forestry lands without their input.
- Economic Considerations —BMFC worked with HHLT and the Schad Foundation to ensure that the economic impact of removing this Crown land from production was mitigated through financial and in-kind support to assist with FSC certification, conservation planning, and public engagement. To be clear - HHLT only provided in kind support by sharing research with BMFC.
- Balanced Approach between conservation and industry — BMFC remains committed to responsible forestry and conservation—this decision allows us to maintain that balance while ensuring our industry remains strong.’
Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) Endorses the MKAI. OFAH would have been a key stakeholder in the consultation process, balancing the importance of the designation with the wishes of their members.
OFAH is a conservation-based organization over 100,000 members & 725 clubs. They too have taken a strategic stance:
- supporting the concept of corridors as they provide ‘uninhibited movement of species.
- supporting the CR designation as a ‘true win-win for conservation and the people of Ontario, and
- recognizing the opportunity to ‘maintain landscape level continuity’ while also providing ‘continued opportunity for a wide array of recreational activities.’
OFAH clearly stated their ‘understanding that the conservation reserve designation would not change allowances with respect to hunting, fishing and trapping practices.’
Myths and Misunderstandings
Is the social media claim that HHLT is working ‘to keep Ontarians out of 100,000 hectares in Haliburton County’ true? No, absolutely not. Aside from our recognition, and respect, of the deep cultural ties that people have to the land, and our support of the ongoing use of the land by hunters, trappers, anglers, trail users, paddlers, naturalists and forestry operations etc., HHLT has no authority to control use or access on private or crown lands.
Does HHLT have plans to own or control the corridor, and curtail public use of the land? No. HHLT respects the use of lands by a wide variety of users and recognizes the economic, and cultural ties that people have to the land. This is not changing.
What will happen to the use of trails if the CR designation is approved? Trail use is permitted in Conservation Reserves. There are many examples of ongoing use in Conservation Reserves that have been in place for many years.
Does HHLT have plans to acquire Crown land in the County? No. HHLT does not acquire Crown land.
Do I need to be concerned that HHLT’s plans will impact my private property? No. Private land remains private, with no changes in allowed uses.
Is HHLT planning to shutdown trails on Crown land or Conservation Reserves? No. HHLT respects the continued use of trails on Crown land and Conservation Reserves by all users.
What is the difference between Crown land and Conservation Reserves in terms of the level of protection? Conservation Reserves are NOT parks, but do have slightly higher levels of protection than is the case for Crown land. Conservation Reserves do not permit logging, mining or aggregate extraction.
Why hasn’t there been comprehensive public consultation to date? Designation is a multi-step process which was at a very preliminary stage. HHLT has demonstrated that it is committed to discuss the concept with whomever wishes to.
Do provincial Conservation Managers have the authority to close trails? Yes, under the specific circumstances (laid out in the regulations) the province could close trails; however, they have this authority on non-designated Crown land too.
Other Misconceptions:
- That HHLT Directors have financial stake in the Trust’s objectives: Directors of the Trust do NOT have financial stake in the Trust’s objectives. All Directors are volunteers. HHLT’s bylaws prohibit compensation.
- That HHLT controls CRs by writing management plans, and managing the CR: HHLT does NOT have authority or control over CR activities. HHLT does not write the management plans nor would HHLT manage the CR.
- That HHLT advocates for prohibiting hunting, fishing or trapping: HHLT does NOT advocate for prohibiting hunting, fishing or trapping.
- That HHLT advocates for closing trails: HHLT does NOT advocate for trail closure.
- That HHLT will advocate for turning the Highland’s Corridor into a park: HHLT has no plans to advocate for turning the Highlands Corridor into a park.
- That HHLT provided financial support to the BMFC: HHLT did not provide any financial compensation to BMFC. We shared our research data which we do with many organizations, and which we have offered to do with the OTPA – no strings attached.
Conclusion:
HHLT is a non-government organization that seeks to conserve the lands and waters of the County for future generations.
This DOES NOT mean advocating for closing trails or curtailing any responsible recreational or economic use of the land.
Our objectives of maintaining ecological integrity and protecting trail use both require the protection of our natural assets. We are committed to ensuring that these natural assets are protected and to working collaboratively with the provincial and local governments as well as OTPA and other stakeholders such as snowmobile clubs, the BMFC and the OFAH.
HHLT recognizes that these activities are part of our rural landscape. They help generate economic activity and are part of our everyday lives.
HHLT recognizes the deep cultural ties that people have to the land, and both respects and supports the ongoing use of the land by hunters, trappers, anglers, trail users, paddlers, naturalists and forestry operations etc.