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Ottawa Wetland Protected Forever by Generous Donation
3 Feb
Summary
- 91 hectares of Marlborough Wetland now protected for wildlife.
- Doug Smith's family donated land via federal ecological gifts program.
- Wetlands help reduce flooding and combat habitat loss.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada has announced the permanent protection of 91 hectares of the Marlborough Wetland in Ottawa. This conservation effort was made possible by a generous donation from the family of the late Doug Smith, who had owned farmland in the area and passed away last May.
Rob McRae, a program director with the conservancy, stated that Smith’s enduring vision was for the land to remain a conserved space for future generations, serving as wildlife habitat and providing other environmental benefits. The conservancy plans to conduct an inventory of the property, identify invasive species, and work towards restoring it to its original state.
This development comes as concerns grow over weakening wetland protections in Ontario. Ontario Nature reported that approximately 600 hectares of wetlands lost their provincially significant status in 2024, reducing their top-level protection. The group views this new protected parcel as a vital antidote to the trend of wetland loss and diminished environmental safeguards.
