York and NCC celebrate Peggy's Wood property donation

Representatives from York Region, East Gwillimbury, Newmarket and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) joined members of the Dunlap family Friday to celebrate the donation of the 18-hectare (43-acre) Peggy's Wood property.

Peggy's Wood, located on Bathurst Street, just south of Green Lane, named for the late Margaret Dunlap Crang (known as Peggy to her family and friends) has been donated to York, via NCC, to ensure the protection of its biodiversity features in perpetuity.

"The Dunlap family is to be congratulated for their generosity and long-term vision in helping to protect such an environmentally-significant property," said York Region Chairman Bill Fisch. "With this 43-acre donation, this beautiful, wooded property will be protected and maintained for the benefit of generations to come."

The Peggy's Wood property forms part of the largest forest ecosystem in Newmarket, according to information issued by the Region. The area protects the headwaters of the Holland River, provides cold water supply for sensitive aquatic habitats, enhances water quality in the area and provides refuge for a variety of animal species. The heavily forested landscape, which includes eastern hemlock, white cedar and sugar maple, is home to a variety of animals including white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and eight species of amphibians and reptiles.

Following the passing of "Peggy" Dunlap Crang in 1995, her family decided to protect the area from potential development by donating Peggy's Wood to conservation. NCC helped make the family's wish a reality with the support of the Region, as part of its Natural Greenlands Conservancy Joint Venture.

NCC accepted this gift in 2006 and transferred title to the Region to add to its growing network of conservation lands. York and NCC are now jointly committed to developing a management plan for Peggy's Wood that will protect its biodiversity, while permitting limited public access. This community conservation project is supported by Environment Canada's Eco-gifts Program and has attracted additional support from Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and NCC donors.

"The Peggy's Wood project is a great example of what Ontarians can accomplish by working together," said Donna Stewart, NCC's regional vice-president, Ontario. "We are grateful for the leadership and commitment shown by both the Dunlaps and York Region in helping protect Ontario's natural heritage."

NCC is a non-profit, non-confrontational organization that takes an interest in land conservation and the protection of biological diversity. Its plan of action involves partnership-building and entering into creative conservation solutions with any individual, corporation, community group, conservation organization or government body that shares its passion. Since 1962, NCC and its supporters have protected more than 1.9 million acres of ecologically significant land nationwide.

York has partnered with NCC and other environmental organizations to secure, protect and restore green spaces, in an effort to expand forest coverage to 25 per cent of its land base. Under the auspices of the Greening Strategy, passed by York Regional Council in 2001, the Region and its partners have successfully protected more than 530 hectares (1,300 acres) through property donations and conservation easements.