Welcome to the Haliburton Highlands Stewardship Council website! Bounded on the south by Victoria County and Peterborough County, on the north by Algonquin Park, on the west by the District of Muskoka, and on the East by Nipissing County and Hastings County, Haliburton County is the heart of Ontario's cottage country. This area is also what ecologist call an ecotone, a transitional zone which lies between the Canadian Sheild and the St. Lawrence Lowlands and it now has a name, The Land Between.

The rolling open country of southern Ontario rises more than 430 meters into the Haliburton Highlands. Resting on the Canadian Shield, the forest covered hills stretch as far as the eye can see, revealing hundreds of beautiful clear lakes in a dramatic Canadian landscape covering 452,000 hectares. The Highlands are 60 meters above sea level.

Although there are mines and forest-product industries, the county is primarily a center of recreation, cottage ownership and tourism, and has only a modest industrial base. There is little crown land with Minden and Haliburton being the largest population centres among many small communities. This creates unique challenges in ensuring proper resource stewardship throughout the county. The Haliburton Highlands Stewardship Council works closely with landowners and local community partners, providing tools and resources to ensure that good land management practices flourish and Haliburton County's natural beauty remains for future generations to enjoy.

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Lake Planning Handbook for Community Groups

Attention waterfront property owners!

The Lake Planning Handbook is now available to all lake association and land owners. Developed in partnership with the Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations (FOCA) and French Planning Services Inc. this tool is designed to assist waterfront property owners in both engaging and supporting the members of their community in stategic planning and water resource stewardship initiatives. To purchase a copy please contact FOCA at www.foca.on.ca, email lakeplanning@foca.on.ca, or call (705) 749-3622. For more information call the Stewarship Council at (705) 286-5206 or email us at Nicole.tuyten@ontario.ca.

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Highlands Stewardship Council Events 2009/2010

Coming Soon, listings of popular Stewardship Council Events for 2009/2010 including the Stewardship Series, Discovery Days, Junior Naturalist Camp and many more!

Stay tuned for updates...

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Stewardship Series

The Stewardship Series is an informative day long workshop series for landowners, cottagers and land stewards. These workshops provide a better understanding of ecosystems and the principles and practices of land stewardship. If you missed 2008 Stewardship Series workshops here are the information packages that were provided:

A Shoreline Forest? - Waterfront Restoration, Reforestation and Naturalization

Management Options for your Woodlot

Science in your own Backyard?! - A Focus on Wildlife & Woodlot Research

Maple Syrup-Opreations and Opportunities

Please stay tuned for 2009 Stewardship Series Topics!

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Junior Naturalist Camp

Nature Enthusiasts aged 7-10 can take part in a variety of activities that explore our natural world. Every session has nature based activities and crafts for participants to take home and enjoy.

Click here to view the brochure and registration form.

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Discovery Days

Families and individuals are invited to participate in these fun and informative sessions that focus on exploring the ecosystems and natural wonders of Haliburton Country. Join us on Wednesdays in July & August! click here for more information.

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TREE AND SHRUB PLANTING PROGRAM

Applications for the Spring 2009 Tree and Shrub Planting Program are no longer being accepted as the deadline was March1/09 and the approval process is underway. However, if you are interested in this program please use this link to view the application so that you can plan to apply for 2010 and please note that prices are subject to change and availability and should only used as a reference.

Click HERE to download the application form.

For more information on Ontario Tree Planting Programs please click here to visit the Trees Ontario website!

Water Property Owner?

Interested in maintaining a healthy environment for your community and wildlife as well?

Check out our Lakeland Living guide for shoreline property owners.

/councils/haliburton/files/3357_Lakeland_Living_Guide_final.pdf

Contact Information:

Haliburton Highlands Stewardship Council
c/o Ministry of Natural Resources
Box 820, 12698 Highway 35
Minden, ON
K0M 2K0

phone: (705) 286-5206
fax: (705) 286-4355
e-mail: lindsay.christie@ontario.ca

Features:

CLICK HERE to see a list of Stewardship Councils and Coordinators in the province.

CLICK HERE to visit the Ontario Stewardship Home Page where you can learn more about the program and find your local community stewardship council home page.

CLICK HERE to reach the vast library of extension notes available to you through the Ministry of Natural Resources website.

CLICK HERE to access links to local level organizations and beyond.