Newsletter of December 10, 2025
Good afternoon members and supporters of Canada South Land Trust!
As we close out 2025, the Board of Directors would like to take the opportunity to thank all of our members, both those who have been supporting us for decades, along with new members who have recently joined! We are most grateful for your support as we continue to grow and evolve!
Here are a few updates!
Congratulations President Dave Kraus!
The Board of Directors and members of Canada South Land Trust would like to give our heartfelt congratulations to our President, Dave Kraus, who recently received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club.
Read more about Dave’s lifelong commitment to conservation here:
“Honouring A Steward: Dave Kraus’ Lifelong Work in Conservation” (Kingsville Times, November 28, 2025), online: https://kingsvilletimes.ca/2025/11/honouring-a-steward-dave-krauss-lifelong-work-in-conservation/
New Land Acquisition
Using funds bequeathed by our founder Betty Learmouth, yesterday, CSLT closed a deal on the purchase of vacant land near our existing site at 0 Elgin Street, along the corridor between Ojibway Park and Spring Garden! Congratulations to John Demarco in locating this property and negotiating for its purchase, and to the entire Board for seeing the importance of the site.
Stay tuned, as we may have an event to introduce members to the site in spring or summer of 2026!
November 22 Potluck Brunch and Membership Meeting
Much has transpired since our last Members Meeting of March 8, 2025. Here are a few highlights as presented by David Kraus, CSLT President at our November 22, 2025 brunch and members meeting:
Reorganization Efforts & Accomplishments:
> Building and enhancing the capacity of the board of directors, active website, CSLT email access, CRA returns, access to bank account, research to hire new accounting firm, update of bylaws and operating procedures
Properties:
> The search continues for properties which fit within our parameters and budget. Recent purchases, not quite complete are two small properties in a linkage area between Ojibway and Spring Garden. See above for information about the first purchase completed December 3, 2025.
>Efforts continue regarding conservation easement obligations on our Balkwill Woods easement in Kingsville.
Nature Walk:
>In May, in partnership with ECFNC (Essex County Field Naturalists Club), a nature walk was held on David Kraus’ property
Communications and Partnerships:
>Collaboration with Wildlife Preservation Canada, Jonathon Choquette on best land management practices
>Ongoing communication and advocating with conservation groups in mutual support of protections required in our natural areas
>Interactions with OLTA continue; board members attended meetings and workshops
>David Kraus was interviewed by Giovanni Abati in August, 2025 on his CJAM program for Watershed Watchers – take a listen:
Continued Efforts:
>Purchase of additional natural heritage properties as well as securing of additional conservation easements
>Strategic planning, grants, and funding opportunities
>Member activities: educational speakers, property walks, volunteer opportunities plus encouragement to join like-minded groups, i.e. On Nature, ECFNC, etc.
>Increasing membership numbers
Clean-Up of 0 Elgin Street Property
Update on clean-up efforts for our Elgin Street property purchased in 2023.
On November 28, 2025, John DeMarco met with others including Jonathan and Michelle from Wildlife Preservation Canada to perform a clean-up and review of invasives. John has kindly provided photos of their efforts.
>A derelict shed required safe demolition and removal – a demolition expert was hired to perform this task
>Remaining on site are pieces of plywood and sheet metal, intentionally left behind as protection for snakes and other critters
>A rotted Manitoba Maple had fallen – will become part of a brush pile to hopefully be utilized as habitat by local wildlife
>A bald eagle and red-tailed hawk were observed flying over while Jonathan found a northern short-tailed shrew hiding during demolition
>Jonathan and Michelle flagged exotic shrubs for removal, due for cutting most likely before year’s end. Hand tools will commence this effort, followed by a licensed landscape contractor to complete the task using methods in common practice by conservation agencies
Assistance by the WPC team on this property towards initial efforts is concluded. Their team remains interested in further assisting CSLT with this property or other properties where their expertise might be utilized. We appreciate their valuable knowledge and offer of future guidance. If interested, you can sign up as a supporter of WPC at:
https://wildlifepreservation.ca/
CSLT thanks John DeMarco for his efforts to play a major role in these clean-up efforts.
Time To Renew Your Membership for 2026!
If you are unable to use Canada Helps to join or to make your donation, please fill in the
CSLT MEMBERSHIP FORM 25 and send it along with your cheque made payable to Canada South Land Trust.
Please consider following us on
Facebook and sharing our events!
Thank you sincerely for your ongoing support and Happy Holidays!
The Board
Canada South Land Trust
Want to know how Bill 23 can negatively change the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System?
Bill 23 – Ontario Wetland Evaluation System – Joint Submission
The City of Windsor is presenting a Traffic Calming Study for:
Matchette Road/Ojibway
February 01, 2022 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm
To directly register for the webinar:
https://tinyurl.com/matchetterdwebinar
A link is provided below to a recent article from the Windsor Star, providing further information on the wildlife fatalities occurring in this high traffic road and other nearby traffic corridors.
https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/record-reptile-mortality-rate-logged-around-ojibway-prairie-in-2021
