calantha

Exclusive documentary sneak preview: Destiny Wild

Exclusive Sneak Preview: Destiny Wild

Species are returning to the Long Point Biosphere Region and you can witness this incredible journey from forgotten land to thriving ecosystem in an upcoming sneak preview of one of the latest conservation documentaries from WorkCabin Films: Destiny Wild.

Filmed over two years in the Long Point Biosphere Region and Norfolk County, Destiny Wild takes viewers into landscapes once altered, overlooked, or written off, where quiet signs of species recovery  and arrivals of once ‘lost’ species are returning. Through stunning cinematography, the film follows biologists, conservationists, and community stewards as they document rare wildlife, fragile habitats, and the subtle signals that suggest the land is remembering what it once was.

Rather than offering simple answers or quick victories, Destiny Wild invites audiences to slow down and listen… to the land, to science, and to the quiet persistence of nature when given time and space to heal, says cinematographer Gregg McLachlan. “These aren’t loud moments but they tell us everything about what’s possible when we stop speaking for the land and start listening to it.”

Blending science, history, and evocative visual storytelling, Destiny Wild continues WorkCabin Films’ mission to create conservation stories that leave viewers with an emotional aftertaste, films that deepen our connection to the natural world and inspire meaningful action.

This project has been generously funded by Environmental and Climate Change Canada. The funding sponsor was the Long Point Biosphere Region. 

The exclusive preview is generously hosted by Long Point Eco-Adventures and the MarshView Patio and Bar. All proceeds for this event support the Long Point Biosphere Region. 

Tickets on sale now

Tuesday, March 31 - 5:30 PM Dinner + movie ($65) / 7:00 PM Movie only ($35).
Get tickets

Exclusive documentary sneak preview: Destiny Wild Read More »

Protect your land and leave behind a living legacy

Do you own farmland or rural property and want to see it protected for generations to come? We’re seeking interested landowners to explore placing a voluntary conservation or farmland easement (CEA) on their property to contribute to Canada’s goal of protecting 30% of land and water by 2030, while safeguarding the agricultural and natural areas that make your land special.

A CEA is a voluntary, legally binding agreement between a landowner and a qualified conservation organization that protects identified conservation or agricultural features of a property in perpetuity. Each agreement is uniquely tailored to reflect the values of your land and your vision for its future. It is not a sale or transfer of your property; you continue to own, live on, farm, and even sell your land. The agreement is simply registered on title and remains in place for future owners. 

Why consider a conservation easement?

Landowners choose CEAs for many reasons, including but not limited to the following:

  • Leave a living legacy for land that has been in the family for generations

  • Protect farmland, forests, wetlands, or other natural features from future development

  • Receive significant income tax benefits, including a charitable tax receipt based on the appraised value of the easement

  • Eligibility for enhanced tax benefits through Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program (if applicable)

CEAs are enabled under Ontario’s Conservation Land Act and remain permanently attached to the property title, meaning the protections continue, even if the land is sold.

How we can help

If you’re curious about whether a conservation easement is right for you, connect with us and we’ll provide you with the following:

  • Clear, accessible education about what a CEA is and is not

  • An assessment of whether a CEA may be appropriate and whether your property could be eligible

  • A detailed explanation of benefits, responsibilities, and long-term considerations

  • The opportunity to speak directly with a lawyer specializing in CEAs

  • Potential access to funded legal advice if selected for this initiative

This is an opportunity to explore and no commitment is necessary. Our goal is to ensure you feel informed and supported at every step.

FAQs

Landowners receive permanent protection of identified agricultural or natural features, along with potential financial benefits. When a CEA is donated, a qualified appraiser determines the difference in fair market value before and after the easement is registered. The landowner may receive a charitable tax receipt for that difference. Properties with significant ecological features may also qualify for enhanced federal tax benefits.

CEAs restrict specific changes to land use that could harm identified conservation or agricultural values. The CEA may designate some parts of the property for building, while designating other parts of the property for protection with no buildings, wetland drainage or forest removal permitted. However, restrictions are negotiated and tailored to each property. This is not a one-size-fits-all agreement. Flexibility is built into the drafting process to reflect your needs and long-term plans.

Yes. You retain ownership. You can continue living on, working, and managing your property. The agreement simply ensures that agreed-upon conservation values are protected.

Yes. The agreement remains on title and applies to future owners, but you are free to sell your property at any time.

People are often concerned a CEA means they lose ownership or the ability to farm their land. This is not the case:

  • It is not a sale or donation of your land to a conservation organization
  • It is not government expropriation
  • It is not a rigid, overly restrictive rulebook
  • It is not a one-size-fits-all tool

A CEA is a collaborative, voluntary agreement designed to protect what matters most, while respecting your ownership and stewardship.

Watch the Webinar: Your Land, Your Legacy - Exploring Conservation Easements

Watch the webinar that took place March 23, 2026 with lawyer Paul Peterson to learn about conservation easement agreements, how they work, who may be eligible, and the potential benefits, responsibilities, and long-term considerations involved.
Watch it now

Interested in protecting your land forever?

Sign up and our coordinator will connect with you to provide more information on how to get involved. No commitment is necessary. Apply by March 23, 2026.
Sign up

Helpful Resources

Protect your land and leave behind a living legacy Read More »

North Shore Resilience Open Houses

Share your thoughts about the future of our coast

If you live, work, or spend time along the beaches and north coast of Lake Erie, you’ve likely seen how extreme weather and rising water levels are reshaping our shoreline. Erosion is accelerating, infrastructure and homes are at risk, and vital natural features like coastal wetlands are under pressure. Through the North Shore Resilience Project, we’re working to better understand these challenges and explore practical, community-informed solutions to protect the places we value.

Join us at one of our upcoming open houses to learn more about what’s happening along the coast and what we can do about it. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with technical experts, ask questions, and share your perspectives on the issues affecting you and your community. Your input will help shape the future of our north shore.

There is no Event

North Shore Resilience Open Houses Read More »

North Shore Resilience Project Awarded Wawanesa Climate Champions Grant

Important dune restoration will continue between Port Glasgow and Long Point with support from Wawanesa Insurance.

Dune restoration completed as part of the North Shore Resilience project.

December 11, 2025 (Port Rowan, ON) – The Long Point Biosphere Region is pleased to announce that critical dune restoration work along the north shore of Lake Erie will continue through 2026 thanks to funding from Wawanesa through its Wawanesa Climate Champions: Local Grants initiative. The $50,000 grant will extend on-the-ground efforts to safeguard communities, infrastructure, and beaches from intensifying coastal hazards from Port Glasgow to Long Point. 

“This new funding is an important lifeline for our coastal communities,” says Sarah Emons, Director of Conservation at the Long Point Biosphere Region. “It means we can keep protecting beaches, homes, and infrastructure, while restoring natural dune systems that support both people, the local economy, and wildlife.”

Warming winter air and rising lake temperatures have led to a marked increase in ice-free days on Lake Erie, extending the open-water season and raising wave energy in winter by across the north shore. Combined with more extreme weather events, this has led to increases in flooding, erosion, and beach deterioration. These conditions threaten homes, municipal infrastructure, and regional tourism that relies on healthy shorelines. 

The new funding will use nature-based solutions to restore natural shoreline with locally sourced native grasses. Sand dunes form at the back of beaches when sand is trapped by beachgrass and other native plants. Healthy dunes create a barrier against natural coastal hazards, such as flooding and erosion, and improve habitat. 

“Climate change is affecting the places we live and work in ways that require practical, local solutions,” says Mitchell McEwen, Wawanesa’s Director of Sustainability, Climate Resilience & Community Impact. “As a member-owned mutual insurer, we believe in supporting those working closest to these challenges. That’s why we’re helping organizations like the Long Point Biosphere Region advance practical solutions forward and strengthen their capacity to protect their communities.”

The North Shore Resilience project is a collaborative effort involving municipal, First Nations, government, and non-profit partners:

  • Norfolk County
  • Municipality of Bayham
  • Township of Malahide
  • Municipality of Central Elgin
  • Municipality of Dutton-Dunwich
  • Municipality of West Elgin
  • Townships of Southwold
  • Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
  • Long Point Region Conservation Authority
  • Catfish Creek Conservation Authority
  • Kettle Creek Conservation Authority
  • Lower Thames Conservation Authority
  • Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Integrated Planning Unit
  • Birds Canada
  • Nature Conservancy of Canada

The project was launched in 2024 with funding from the Canada Water Agency to address threats to coastal communities, ecosystems, and infrastructure through the development of scientific and technical knowledge, community engagement, and nature-based solutions such as dune restoration. The project is managed by the Long Point Biosphere Region.

 

About the Long Point Biosphere Region

Designated a UNESCO World Biosphere Region in 1986, Long Point is part of a global network of more than 750 Biosphere Reserves, including 19 in Canada and four in Ontario. The Long Point Biosphere Region is the charitable non-profit organization established to uphold the values and vision of the UNESCO biosphere designation and is dedicated to connecting people to the unique natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage of the Long Point region and Norfolk County. The organization is responsible for demonstrating leadership in conserving biodiversity; promoting sustainable economic, social and ecological development; providing logistical support for education, training, and research; and advancing truth and reconciliation with Indigenous communities. 

About The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company 

The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company, founded in 1896, is one of Canada’s largest mutual insurers, with over $4 billion in annual revenue and assets of $11.5 billion. Wawanesa Mutual, with its National Headquarters in Winnipeg, is the parent company of Wawanesa Life, which provides life insurance products and services throughout Canada, and Western Financial Group, which distributes personal and business insurance across Canada. Wawanesa proudly serves more than 1.87 million members in Canada. The company actively gives back to organizations that strengthen communities, donating more than $3.5 million annually to charitable organizations, including over $2 million annually in support of people on the front lines of climate change. Learn more at wawanesa.com.

 

Media Contacts

Sarah Emons
Director of Conservation
Long Point Biosphere Region
conservation@longpointbiosphere.com

Michel Rosset
Manager, Corporate Communications & Media Relations
The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company
media@wawanesa.com

North Shore Resilience Project Awarded Wawanesa Climate Champions Grant Read More »

Scroll to Top