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Join the Citizens for Crown Land Protection
The Milburn Kendrick Area of Interest (MKAI) is no longer proceeding as a Conservation Reserve. But the Joint Statement of Support, backed by multiple organizations, remains live. And so do the concerns. Despite the proposal being halted, the statement reveals a deeper issue: Top-down planning, conditional endorsements, and support for permanent land use changes, by organizations that were supposed to defend public access.
Below are the organizations that chose to endorse the proposal, rather than stand with the residents, communities, and land users most affected. Below that, you will find a drop down menu to each of the organizations with contact information and key quotes.
Nearly every group that backed the Highlands Corridor initiative used the same language:
“In consultation with HHLT…”
“Conditional support, so long as access is maintained…”
“Collaborating to protect trails and outdoor recreation…”
But here’s the problem:
None of these organizations would have had any control once the land was designated.
Under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, all decision-making power rests with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), not with HHLT, OFAH, or any trail group. And there is no formal mechanism to enforce the “conditions” referenced in their support.
So what exactly were they supporting?
The Central Contradiction
The Central Contradiction
If HHLT has no authority, why are these organizations aligning with them?
If HHLT has influence, that influence could just as easily be used to restrict access as to protect it.
Let’s be clear:
HHLT is not a neutral facilitator.
They were the lead proponent of the MKAI.
They promoted the proposal, brokered endorsements, and coordinated outreach, while openly acknowledging they would not manage the land post-designation.
And yet, groups like OFAH offered support “so long as there is no loss of access for hunters, anglers, and trappers.”
But if access can’t be guaranteed, and the designation is permanent and irreversible, why support the process at all?
Why Didn’t They Support the Public?
Why Didn’t They Support the Public?
Despite knowing the risks, user groups like OFAH, OFTR, OF4WD, and KATVA backed the proposal anyway, using soft, forward-looking language.
Why didn’t they stand with:
The residents who were never consulted?
The hunters, anglers, trappers, and recreational users who depend on this land, and who will be the first to lose access?
Instead, we got:
“So long as access is maintained…”
“As long as there is no loss of access…”
“This is an opportunity to work collaboratively…”
These are not guarantees.
They are non-binding assurances, unenforceable once a Conservation Reserve Management Plan is in place.
The Joint Statement wasn’t just about one reserve. It was about building a model, a framework intended to be replicated across Ontario.
“As Crown land designations change…” That phrase alone should raise alarms. It openly acknowledges that land use is already shifting, and instead of defending access, they were helping normalize its erosion.
You Don’t Protect Access by Endorsing a Process You Don’t Control
You Don’t Protect Access by Endorsing a Process You Don’t Control
You protect it by:
Refusing to support proposals that permanently transfer decision-making away from land users
Demanding that communities be consulted before, not after, decisions are made
This Is Bigger Than MKAI
This Is Bigger Than MKAI
Today it was “only” 8% of local Crown land. Province-wide, 14% of Crown land is already designated, and that number is growing.
We must ask:
Who was actually consulted before support was issued?
What guarantees, if any, exist for long-term access?
Why are public access groups endorsing permanent changes that remove local control?
Because to Put It Simply:
You don’t protect hunting, angling, or recreational access by stepping aside while permanent decisions are made.
You don’t protect hunting, angling, or recreational access by stepping aside while permanent decisions are made.
Important to note:
Matthew Robbins, Fish & Wildlife Biologist with OFAH, sits on the Advisory Council for the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust (HHLT) Highlands Corridor Initiative.
This direct involvement raises questions about independence and objectivity, particularly when OFAH publicly supported the proposal “so long as access is maintained,” despite the permanent nature of the designation and HHLT’s central role in promoting it.
You Protect Access By:
You Protect Access By:
Refusing to support a process you can’t influence
Demanding a seat at the table before decisions are finalized
Standing your ground, not negotiating it away
Presence is not enough. Position matters.
So What Now?
So What Now?
Even though MKAI is not proceeding, the broader Highlands Corridor initiative is still active. The Joint Statement still exists, and the same model could reappear, anywhere in Ontario, or across Canada.
We Urge Every Group That Offered Conditional Support To:
We Urge Every Group That Offered Conditional Support To:
Revisit your position before it becomes precedent
Withdraw your endorsement, or issue clear public clarifications
Recognize that conditional support means nothing once a designation is approved
Members — Your Voice Matters!
Members — Your Voice Matters!
If you are a member or supporter of any of these organizations, now is the time to speak up. The contact information for each organization can be found on their websites and in the dropdowns below.
Conditional language cannot protect public access once the process is complete.
Once approved, support cannot be withdrawn, and future restrictions cannot be blocked.
Access cannot be recovered once it is lost.
The following organizations have provided conditional support, click the drop down to learn more.
The following organizations have provided conditional support, click the drop down to learn more.
Contact Number: 705-457-8780
Email Address: info@haliburtonatv.com
Website: https://haliburtonatv.com/
While the statement includes perspectives from several organizations — such as the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH), Ontario Trails Protection Alliance (OTPA), and others — HATVA’s position has not been publicly included.
The Haliburton Highlands Land Trust (HHLT) has expressed a broader commitment to engaging with motorized trail users, and references collaboration with the off-road community in general. However, there is currently no direct comment or endorsement from HATVA included in the official statement.
As discussions around Crown land designations continue, it's important to ensure clarity around which organizations are actively participating — and which are not — in shaping or endorsing these proposals.
Contact Number: 705-328-0931/705-328-4482
Website: https://katva.ca/
Mailing Address: PO Box 21, Lindsay, ON K9V 4R8
In the Joint Statement supporting the proposed Milburn Kendrick Conservation Reserve (MKCR), Carolyn Richards, President of the Kawartha ATV Association (KATVA), says:
“By working together with HHLT, the off-road community can build a sustainable model that can be used across the province to protect trail access as Crown land designations change and conservation efforts evolve.”
At first glance, it sounds cooperative — even optimistic.
But read it again. Carefully.
This isn’t just about one reserve. This is about building a model — a framework meant to be replicated across Ontario. A model built not by the public, but by land trusts, external funders, and conservation strategists.
“As Crown land designations change…”
That single phrase should set off alarms.
It’s an open admission that land use is already shifting — and instead of defending long-standing access rights, we’re helping usher in a system that accepts those changes as inevitable.
And not just accepts them — endorses them.
This is how trail systems — yours, mine, and everyone else's — become test cases in a province-wide rollout of “cooperative” conservation. Once implemented, these models can lock in new land use policies with minimal local oversight, guided instead by well-funded external players and evolving provincial frameworks.
This isn’t the protection of what we have.
It’s the quiet restructuring of how land use is decided — and who gets a seat at that table.
Let’s be honest: if this was about safeguarding access, it would be about standing firm as policy changes, not adapting to fit within them.
Contact info: info@oftr.ca
Website: https://oftr.ca
Phone: 1-855-637-6387
Address: 246372 Hockley Road, Mono, ON L9W 6K4
Lisa Thomson, OTPA Chair
Email: Lisa.thompson@oftr.ca
Phone: 705-466-2747
In the Joint Statement on the proposed Milburn Kendrick Conservation Reserve (MKCR), Joel Castonguay, OFTR President, stated:
“We certainly had some initial concerns... but after a really good exchange, it’s clear we’ve got a tremendous opportunity to protect and grow our access.”
The quote reflects a shift in tone — from concern to optimism. But this message was shared publicly on behalf of Ontario’s trail riders, without any clear indication that the broader riding community was consulted.
When permanent Crown land designations are being proposed, riders deserve more than a statement.
They deserve to be asked.
Contact information: https://www.of4wd.com
President: Peter Wood
Email: info@of4wd.com
Address: 420 Main Street East, Unit 720, Milton, ON L9T 5G3
In the Joint Statement regarding the proposed Milburn Kendrick Conservation Reserve (MKCR), Peter Wood, President of OF4WD, stated:
“This is a great and ground-breaking opportunity to work together with the conservation community on what we hope will be a long-term, collaborative effort.”
The tone is optimistic, highlighting the potential for partnership. But it also raises an important question: who is this collaboration actually with?
OF4WD’s quote refers to working with the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust (HHLT) — but HHLT will not manage the land if MKCR is designated.
Conservation Reserves in Ontario are managed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) — not by land trusts, not by trail groups, and not by partner organizations.
Once designated, decisions about permitted uses, restrictions, and land access are made by the Province, through a Conservation Reserve Manager. Neither HHLT nor OF4WD will have authority over those decisions.
So while the word “collaborative” appears in the statement, the reality is that final control does not rest with the people sitting around the table today.
Real collaboration includes decision-making power.
In this case, that power resides entirely with the Province.
The following has provided conditional support but has members that sit on the HHLT advisory board:
The following has provided conditional support but has members that sit on the HHLT advisory board:
Website: https://www.ofahfoundation.org
Address: 4601 Guthrie Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 6Y3
Phone: (705) 748-6324 | Fax: (705) 748-9577
Contact: Matt Robbins – Fish & Wildlife Biologist, OFAH. Sitting on HHLT's Highlands Corridor Advisory council, stated in the joint statement the following:
“A collaborative approach to protecting and enhancing our natural resources is not only necessary but critical to ensure our respective interests are represented and that conservation efforts are broadly supported.”
In a clarification issued on April 1, 2025, OFAH further stated:
“Since 2023, the OFAH has worked in collaboration with the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust (HHLT) to ensure there is no loss of opportunity for hunters, anglers, and trappers as a result of this initiative.”
This presents two notable admissions:
If OFAH is working to “ensure” opportunities are not lost, then there is a recognized risk that they could be. You do not work to protect what is already guaranteed.
In the same clarification, OFAH noted:
“Conservation Reserves are managed by the provincial government, not land trusts, the OFAH, or any other non-government entity.”
This confirms that once the proposed Milburn Kendrick Conservation Reserve (MKCR) is designated, neither OFAH nor HHLT will have a role in land management. Responsibility will rest entirely with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006.
The Schad Foundation
The Schad Foundation
The Schad Foundation, a Toronto-based environmental foundation, is a well-known supporter of conservation efforts across Ontario. Through its program, the Ontario Conservation Accelerator (OCA), the Foundation has provided key funding and coordination for the Highlands Corridor initiative, including the proposed Milburn Kendrick Conservation Reserve (MKCR).
In the Joint Statement, the Schad Foundation is credited for its support, and Peter Kendall, Executive Director, is quoted directly:
“The dedicated efforts of this community are responsible for many of the world-class trails we have in Ontario. We look forward to working with the motorized trail use community and leveraging their wealth of knowledge, experience, and expertise to advocate for greater protection and expansion of Ontario’s trails.”
— Peter Kendall, Executive Director, Schad Foundation
Peter Kendall, also sits on the HHLT Advisory Council for the Highlands Corridor.
It’s a strong statement of support for motorized trail users — and it’s encouraging to see recognition of their contributions. But for a proposal that affects tens of thousands of hectares of Crown land, the absence of any mention of hunting, angling, or trapping stands out. Peter Kendall says nothing in his blurb about supporting hunting. Nothing about preserving access for Ontario’s longstanding outdoors traditions.
And that silence? Feels like Spring Bear Hunt déjà vu. For many in the hunting community, that’s not just a red flag — it’s a familiar pattern.
This isn’t a criticism — it’s about awareness. The public deserves to understand who’s involved, what their role is, and how initiatives like MKCR are developed.
The financial and in-kind support to BMFC for signing off on MKCR? From the Schad Foundation.
The “Ontario Conservation Accelerator” mentioned in the Joint Statement? That’s their program.
Ontario Trails Protection Alliance (OTPA)
Ontario Trails Protection Alliance (OTPA)
The Ontario Trails Protection Alliance (OTPA) is listed as a supporter in the Joint Statement promoting the Milburn Kendrick Conservation Reserve (MKCR). It is represented by Lisa Thomson, who is also affiliated with the Ontario Federation of Trail Riders (OFTR).
While the name suggests a broad coalition advocating for trail access, there is no public record of OTPA existing prior to this initiative. It has no website, no documented member organizations, and no track record of public advocacy.
Based on the timing and lack of visibility, OTPA appears to have been formed specifically to support or participate in the MKCR process — not as an established voice for Ontario trail users.
It’s referred to as a “collaborative organization” — but that raises a simple, important question:
Collaborating with who?
Not with local riders.
Not with the broader public.
Not with landowners, hunters, or long-time trail users in this region.
OTPA may appear in a Joint Statement, but there's no evidence it was built from the ground up, with input from the communities it now claims to represent.
If an alliance forms in the middle of a policy change — with no clear base, no transparency, and no consultation — is it really representing the public interest?
If an alliance forms in the middle of a policy change — with no clear base, no transparency, and no consultation — is it really representing the public interest?
Administered by: Schad Foundation
Located at: 273 CHARLOTTE STREET. PETERBOROUGH, ON K9J2V3
Website: https://theoca.ca/
Key staff: Peter Kendall (Board Member), Luke Ridgway (Manager, OCA) Mike Hendren (Executive Director)
The Joint Statement refers to the Ontario Conservation Accelerator (OCA) and acknowledges its role, but the broader public may not immediately connect the dots between this program and the more familiar Haliburton Highlands Land Trust (HHLT) or the Milburn Kendrick Conservation Reserve (MKCR) proposal. Raising awareness of OCA’s involvement simply provides more transparency around how these conservation initiatives are developed, funded, and coordinated.
Notably, Peter Kendall (Executive Director of the Schad Foundation) and Mike Hendren (Ontario Conservation Accelerator) are both named in the Ontario government’s “Working with Conservation Experts to Protect More Natural Areas” announcement — a provincial initiative focused on increasing protected areas through strategic partnerships.
This places both individuals, and by extension their organizations, in influential roles not just locally, but within Ontario’s broader strategy for land conservation.
The following are known to have received financial and/or in-kind consideration for their support:
The following are known to have received financial and/or in-kind consideration for their support:
Svetlana Zeran, RPF – General Manager
Box 1509, 51 Hastings Street North, Bancroft, Ontario K0L 1C0
Phone: 613-332-6890
Website: www.bmfci.ca
BMFC has publicly stated its support for the proposed Milburn Kendrick Conservation Reserve (MKCR) because the area is considered “low-value forest” with “no economic use.” In practical terms, this is land they weren’t logging — and weren’t going to.
They’ve also said:
“We prefer to work collaboratively rather than risk losing more productive lands without our input.”
Translation: Give up the land that doesn’t generate profit, to secure continued access to the land that does.
In return for their cooperation, BMFC acknowledged receiving:
“financial and in-kind support” — reportedly from the Schad Foundation and/or the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust (HHLT).
No details. No transparency.
Just support — and money.
Enough said.
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