The Northumberland Land Trust (NLT) has expanded its conservation network with the addition of 187 acres on Wilson Island in Trent Hills, donated by Jim and Anne Purvis.
Named Inscape, the property encompasses diverse ecosystems including deciduous and thicket swamps, cattail marshes, grasslands, and a vernal pool, with 130 acres of regionally significant woodlands.
The majority of Inscape is classified as a provincially significant wetland and provides habitat for eight species at risk, including the Least Bittern, Red-headed Woodpecker, and Midland Painted Turtle. Located adjacent to Murray Marsh, an area of natural and scientific interest, the property will remain closed to the public to protect its sensitive ecological features.
“This donation was a cornerstone of our 2025 fundraising campaign,” said Amanda Newell, Executive Director of NLT. “Support from the Purvis family, including a contribution from their son Michael, helped us surpass our fundraising goal and ensure long-term stewardship of this important land.”
Jim and Anne Purvis, who stewarded the property for 36 years, said, “We look forward to working with the Northumberland Land Trust to preserve Inscape as a natural area where plants, animals, and birds will flourish in perpetuity.”
The Northumberland Land Trust, a not-for-profit charitable organization established in 1996, now manages 19 nature reserves covering 2,272 acres across Northumberland County. The Trust accepts land donations, establishes conservation agreements, and provides public education on land preservation. It is governed by a volunteer board representing local landowners, farmers, business leaders, and professionals, and is a member of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance.
For more information about the Northumberland Land Trust and its conservation efforts, visit northumberlandlandtrust.org.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
