By Jenn watt

Good news keeps rolling in for the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust which announced on Dec. 13 that its grant application to the Ontario Trillium Foundation to develop a new wetlands mapping method had been successful.

The land trust will receive more than $71000 for the project.

According to information provided by HHLT the mapping will identify wetlands that will assist the organization in its conservation efforts in the county.

“We are looking forward to using this new and improved mapping to identify ecologically sensitive wetlands so that our conservation and restorative efforts can be better planned and more sustainable” Mary-Lou Gerstl HHLT chair said.

In November the land trust received funding from the federal government to map the Kendrick Creek Wetland Complex in Minden Hills with the goal of having it designated a provincially significant wetland.

Wetlands provide habitat for many species at risk help to prevent flooding maintain water quality recharge groundwater reserves and act as a carbon sink which is crucial in combating climate change.

Flooding has become an ongoing issue in the county particularly in the Minden Hills area with the township declaring a state of emergency in 2013 2017 and 2019.

“I would like to congratulate Haliburton Highlands Land Trust for being awarded a $71100 grant to explore new and sustainable ways to continue their tremendous efforts in conserving and restoring our local wetlands” MPP Laurie Scott said. “This grant will enhance Haliburton Highlands Land Trust and its positive contribution to Haliburton County.”

HHLT says that the new mapping method could be used by municipal and provincial government bodies.