South Nation Conservation (SNC) has announced the donation of ecologically significant lands within the Leitrim Wetland from Taggart Investments Inc., Tamarack Homes & Tartan Homes at an event held at the Findlay Creek Conservation Area on Saturday.
 
The community event welcomed Ottawa Councillor Steve Desroches and Michelle Taggart of Tamarack Homes & Tartan Homes, to mark this important conservation milestone. The securement of the majority of the wetland is the result of strong partnerships that support long-term conservation, community access, and ecological restoration.
 
SNC’s stewardship of the Leitrim Wetland began with a 100-acre ecological gift from the Kellam Family in 2000. The following year, the Leitrim Wetland Advisory Committee was established to bring together community partners to guide long-term management.
 
With this latest announcement, SNC has significantly expanded the protected wetland base. Approximately 100 acres have been donated in the northern portion by Tamarack Homes and Tartan Homes—where the Findlay Creek Boardwalk is located—while another 100 acres has been secured in the southern portion through a separate donation from Regional Group. SNC now owns approximately 330 acres of the remaining 570 acres of the Leitrim Wetland.
 
The Leitrim Wetland is one of the most significant and sensitive wetlands in Eastern Ontario. Designated as a Provincially Significant Wetland and an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest, it supports a diverse range of plant and animal communities, including rare calcareous fen habitats—one of the least common wetland types in Ontario. The wetland forms the headwaters of Findlay Creek in Ottawa, a rare cold-water system that provides important habitat for fish, amphibians, and invertebrates. The wetland is home to over 90 bird species annually, and over 40 additional species during migration, and provides habitat for interesting species such as the bug-eating purple pitcher plant, and species at risk such as the red-shouldered hawk and short-eared owl. In a region where most wetlands have been lost to development, protecting the Leitrim Wetland is critical to maintaining biodiversity, improving water quality, and supporting natural flood attenuation.
 
Public access and education have also been a key part of this conservation effort. The Findlay Creek Boardwalk, originally constructed in 2011, provides direct access to experience the wetland while protecting sensitive habitat. With support from the Government of Canada, SNC restored the boardwalk in 2023-24 to create a 1-km loop, ensuring its long-term sustainability and accessibility. In 2025, the boardwalk welcomed more than 40,000 visits, highlighting its importance as a community asset.
 
Ongoing monitoring, stewardship, and restoration are required to maintain wetland health. Invasive species, particularly glossy buckthorn, continue to spread and threaten native vegetation. Funding from the Government of Ontario will support restoration work in 2026–27 to remove invasive species and improve habitat conditions.
 
“These donations represent meaningful investment in the environmental health and resilience of our watershed,” said John Mesman, SNC’s Managing Director of Conservation Lands. “We are fortunate of our strong partnerships with the development community and for their commitment to preserving a vital natural feature within a growing urban landscape. Protecting wetlands is essential to strengthen natural systems and preserve biodiversity.”
 
"Today’s announcement represents real progress for our community and for Ottawa’s natural environment,” Councillor Steve Desroches said. He further stated that "As Findlay Creek continues to grow, we must ensure that growth is matched with responsible planning, environmental stewardship, and the protection of important natural features, like the Leitrim Wetland."
 
Michelle Taggart, representing Tamarack Homes and Tartan Homes, highlighted the company’s commitment to responsible development. “We are proud to partner with SNC to help protect the Leitrim Wetland,’ said Taggart. “As a long-time builder in Ottawa, we understand how deeply the community values the natural landscapes around them. Growth is essential, but it must be balanced by protecting the long-term viability of the environment. This donation reflects our commitment to thoughtful, sustainable community building and to leaving a positive legacy.”
 
The addition of these donated lands will further strengthen SNC’s ability to conserve and steward important ecosystems across the region while connecting residents to
the outdoors.

To watch a video from the event, visit:
Leitrim Wetlands Donation - Media Video - 2026.mp4

To learn more about the Leitrim Wetland: Yours to Explore – Leitrim Wetland Factsheet

For more information: Erin Thorne, Communications Specialist,
(613) 984-2948 | ethorne@nation.on.ca