By Emily Stonehouse

A recent Facebook post has put the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust (HHLT) on the map.

And perhaps not in a good way.

But the director and founding member of the nature conservation organization, Sheila Ziman, wants to set the record straight. “There is so much misinformation out there,” she said, “and none of it is true. It’s really sad.”

The post went up last week by a private Facebook user, and brought forward a concern about the Highlands Corridor, which is 100,000 hectares of unceded Crown land, municipal land, and private land connecting three provincial parks across Haliburton County.

The land has been designated as significant by the HHLT due to its rich wetlands, forests, and species at risk that reside within the extensive property. “The Highlands Corridor offers a nature-based solution to building climate change resilience, protecting lands and waters, and maintaining biodiversity,” says the Land Trust website.

The corridor has been in talks for years. “We’ve had open houses, we’ve been on the radio, we’ve been in the newspapers,” said Ziman. “I’m not sure how this is the first time so many are hearing about the project.”

But the concerns stemmed from one phrase the Facebook user shared: “This designation will not allow any of the following activities: hunting, fishing, trapping, logging, mining, quarrying, use of motorized vehicles, horse riding, camping, cycling, unrestrained pets, fires, removal of rocks, minerals, or animals, or drone use.”

The post went on to say: “Are any of these things your family enjoys? Any of these things pay your bills? We all should be outraged!”

The post was shared nearly 1000 times on Facebook, with hundreds of comments pouring in; the number increasing even as this paper goes to press. All local media agencies were tagged on the post, and able to see the conversation in detail.

On Feb. 10, the Land Trust issued a formal letter to the press. “HHLT is aware that mistaken information regarding our Highlands Corridor initiative is presently circulating across social media,” it starts. “While we welcome public conversation regarding all of our work, it is essential that those conversations be based on accurate facts.”

The letter went on to outline that trail use, as well as use by motorized vehicles are allowed in the conservation area. Hunting, fishing, and trapping would also be allowed. “We recognize these heritage and outdoor activities are important in our community and for tourism, and they keep our economy vibrant,” reads the letter. “We support their ongoing use on Crown land designated as a Conservation Reserve.”

The only area that would be minorly impacted would be logging, the development of new quarries, and mining on very specific, designated sections.

“We actually have a letter of support from the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters,” noted Ziman, “as well as a collaboration with Ontario Trails Protection Alliance (OTPA), who focuses on ATV use and motorized vehicles.”

On Feb. 13, the OTPA issued a formal statement in regards to the ongoing misinformation, clarifying their collaborative approach with the Land Trust, and their optimism towards working together in a mutually beneficial way with one goal in mind: to protect and preserve the natural property they all share.

The letter opens with: “An alliance of four of Ontario’s largest motorized recreational trail use organizations is now preparing to work collaboratively on plans that will protect access to trails within a proposed 100,000-hectare ‘corridor’ linking three provincial parks and a vast network of trail systems throughout the Haliburton/ Kawartha region.” The full letter, which was sent to the press upon approval, can be seen on page ___ for further context.

In terms of private property, Ziman noted that the Land Trust cannot and will not touch someone else’s land. “Private property is private property, the only one who can touch that is the government,” she said.

John Davidson of Wilberforce was the individual who sent the original letter to politicians, sounding the alarm bells. “I guess you could say I am kind of the instigator,” he chuckled. He was a senior lands and parks technician for the MNR during his working days. “I sent an email to Laurie Scott and other politicians, outlining my concerns,” he said. “When I allowed the email to be posted on social media, it drew a lot of attention.”

The primary concern on Davidson’s part, is what he believes to be a lack of transparency from the Land Trust. He noted that while doing his research, he uncovered a proposal (known as the Milburn Kendrick proposal) which he said would tie up 8,900 hectares of public land.

“Some people, including HHLT members, say we have it wrong and need not be concerned. I suggest those people dive deep into those websites before forming an opinion,” Davidson said, noting that they all want sustainability for the land.

“We don’t want unnecessary overreach, that will adversely affect our local economy,” he went on. “At a time when tariffs are a looming threat to all of our livelihoods, should we not expect complete transparency and public input before decisions of this nature are made? We don’t feel that is too much to ask.”

The Land Trust has been answering questions as they have been presented, both online, in-person, and via emails.

Ziman shared that the silver lining to the online backlash is that it’s putting the Land Trust on the map, and people are talking about it. “We are responding to any reasonable questions that come through,” she said. She did note it is taking some time, though, so she has asked for some patience as they wade through the conversations. Ziman has also noticed an uptick to their social media and website platforms, and has had a series of thought-provoking and thorough conversations with local stakeholders. Generally, they are able to work towards a place of understanding.

The Land Trust was summoned by County Council on Feb. 12, and were provided with an opportunity to clarify their intentions to staff and council members alike. While a select few audience members vocalized their thoughts, Ziman felt it was an important conversation to bring to the table. County councillors noted that they will take some time to receive information and feedback, as well as dialogue from provincial representatives once the heat of the ongoing election has cooled, and will reconnect with the Land Trust at the county’s March 26 meeting.