Otonabee Conservation is the recipient of a land donation in the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan, recently donated by the Stewart Family. Jim Stewart, and his siblings, Mike Stewart and Linda McCreery (nee Stewart), have donated 30 acres of wetland and forest located southwest of the existing Stewart’s Woods, a 70-acre property that was bequeathed to Otonabee Conservation in 1969 by Lin Stewart, who owned an adjacent farm.
Our family enjoyed this property for walks in the woods, picnicking, and the pristine views along the Otonabee River; now it will be protected for its natural heritage and can be enjoyed by all.
– Jim Stewart –
This most recent land donation fulfills their mother, Jean Stewart’s wishes to donate the remaining family property for preservation and protection of natural heritage features and to provide recreational opportunities, such as hiking, cross-country skiing, fishing, photography, and wildlife viewing.
The Stewart Family first acquired 150 acres of land here in 1890. Ormiston and Lizzie Stewart (Jim, Mike, and Linda’s Grandparents) farmed a portion of the land while the remaining parcels that are now managed by Otonabee Conservation, were left in their natural state.
The donated land features great ecological significance with wetland and forest ecosystems and approximately 1 km of natural undisturbed shoreline along the Otonabee River.