The Head-of-the-Lake Land Trust is a program of the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club (HNC) that works with landowners to protect land and that educates students about nature conservation. The HNC is a non-profit, charitable organization with over 500 members dedicated to the study, appreciation and conservation of wild plants and animals.
- A 1961 photo from The Hamilton Spectator depicting HNC President Marion Shivas & Vice President Ray Lowes at the Spooky Hollow Nature Sanctuary
The HNC has forged many successful community partnerships and has received numerous awards for its achievements. The HNC celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2009. As the oldest land trust in Ontario, the HNC has been acquiring and caring for land for 50 years. With increasing development pressures, the HNC saw the need to build the land conservation program and in 2005 formed the Head-of-the-Lake Land Trust (HLT) to identify and protect key ecological features in Hamilton, Burlington and surrounding areas. We invite you to join us in our goal to protect and safeguard the environmental health and vibrancy of our region.
The Head-of-the-Lake Land Trust program of the HNC:
- Has acquired over 300 acres of protected land in 5 nature sanctuaries through donation and purchase.
- Is a community-based organization learning from and contributing to community knowledge. We engage with our partners in research and proven scientific practices to care for the land.
- Is a member of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance.
- Works in accordance with the national standards and practices for land trusts in Canada, developed by the Canadian Land Trust Alliance in 2005.
- Represents the HNC on the Steering Committee for the Cootes to Escarpment Park System which is working to conserve environmentally significant land around Cootes Paradise.
- Is supported financially through grants from charitable foundations and individual donations.
