St. Clair Region Conservation Foundation

🌿 A Milestone for Conservation in the St. Clair Region! 🌿

On May 30, the St. Clair Region Conservation Foundation and the Thames Talbot Land Trust celebrated the protection of the Bradshaw Conservation Lands in the Township of St. Clair. This remarkable 99-acre property features mature forest, wetlands, and hawthorn thickets that provide critical habitat for wildlife, including several species at risk.

The acquisition of this ecologically significant property was made possible through the support of dedicated partners, funders, and donors, including contributions through the Ontario government’s Greenlands Conservation Partnership Program, the federal government’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program, and the Ecological Gifts Program.

By protecting the Bradshaw Conservation Lands, we are helping to safeguard biodiversity, strengthen Ontario’s Carolinian Zone, and ensure future generations can enjoy and benefit from these natural spaces. 🌳🦋🐦

A sincere thank you to everyone who played a role in making this conservation success possible.

📣 REMINDER – Less than one week to submit your applications to the SCRCA’s 2025 Conservation Scholarships.

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2026

👉 Apply today: www.scrca.on.ca/foundation/scholarships

Are you a graduating high school student pursuing studies in environmental fields like biology, ecology, agriculture, or wildlife?

The SCRCA is currently accepting applications for its 2026 Conservation Scholarship program.

Up to two $1,000 and two $500 scholarships will be awarded to successful candidates.
📅 Apply by May 31, 2026
👉 Learn more and apply: www.scrca.on.ca/foundation/scholarships

When you play, local charities win!

The St. Clair Region Conservation Foundation is proud to be part of Charitable Gaming. Funds raised through Charitable Gaming Chatham Kent help support St. Clair Region Conservation Authority programs and make a difference in our community.

Funds raised go towards:
📚 Outdoor Education Programming
🥾 Trail Maintenance
🌲 Habitat Restoration Projects
🐢 Species at Risk Monitoring and Recovery Programming

It’s Endangered Species Day, and we want to celebrate by highlighting some exciting discoveries at the Keith McLean Conservation Lands!

This week, St. Clair Region Conservation Authority Biology staff documented two endangered fish species at the McLean Lands: the Spotted Gar and, for the first time ever at this site, the Lake Chubsucker!

The Lake Chubsucker thrives in warm, calm wetlands with clear water and abundant aquatic vegetation, making the channels and coastal wetlands at the McLean Lands ideal habitat. Because this species is sensitive to muddy or polluted water, its presence is a strong indicator of a healthy wetland ecosystem.

The Spotted Gar is equally fascinating. This unique fish can breathe air using a specialized swim bladder that acts like a lung, allowing it to survive in low-oxygen environments. Young Spotted Gar even help control mosquito populations by feeding on mosquito larvae!

Discoveries like these highlight the importance of conserving coastal wetlands, which provide essential breeding habitat, shelter, and food for countless wildlife species, including many at-risk species.

On Endangered Species Day, we are proud of the work that the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority staff are conducting across the watershed to protect and restore these critical habitats.

Want to help support conservation efforts like habitat restoration and Species at Risk monitoring? Support the St. Clair Region Conservation Foundation today: https://shop.scrca.on.ca/product/sydenham-reptile-recovery-initiative/

Are you a graduating high school student pursuing studies in environmental fields like biology, ecology, agriculture, or wildlife?

The SCRCA is currently accepting applications for its 2026 Conservation Scholarship program.

Up to two $1,000 and two $500 scholarships will be awarded to successful candidates.
📅 Apply by May 31, 2026
👉 Learn more and apply: www.scrca.on.ca/foundation/scholarships

The SCRCF is seeking volunteers in the Chatham-Kent area to assist in the charitable gaming initiatives at Riverview Gaming in Chatham. This is a fun volunteering oppourtunity for those looking to get out and be social, all the while helping to raise funds for local conservation. The best part? It can be done with a friend! If you, and/or someone you know is interested, please reach out to us!

Please like and share to spread the word!

Riverview Gaming Centre
Charitable Gaming Chatham Kent