The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) announced the protection of 119 hectares (294 acres) of granite ridges, wetlands, streambanks and forests in the Frontenac Arch. Once the treasured retreat of local landowner John “Jack” Hunter Allum, NCC’s Leland Wetlands, 25 kilometres from Kingston, has been added to NCC’s Loughborough Wilderness, a collection of protected lands at the heart of the Frontenac Arch. A life-long conservationist, Mr. Allum acquired the property 40 years ago to protect the forest. He spent years expanding that forest, restoring old farm fields by planting 20,000 native trees. After his death, his sons honoured his wishes and sold the property to NCC. Connecting the northern forests of the Algonquin Highlands with the Adirondack Mountains in New York state, the Frontenac Arch forms a critical habitat linkage between the northern hardwood and mixed forests of Ontario and the Appalachian Mountain chain of eastern North America.