A Canadian forestry company has donated more than 1,800 hectares of forest, wetlands and freshwater shoreline in central Newfoundland and Labrador to support a major conservation initiative around Gander Lake. The donation from Domtar will allow the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) to protect four parcels of land along the Southwest Gander River and Gander Lake, near Glenwood and Appleton. The project aims to improve wildlife movement across connected natural habitats while safeguarding important ecosystems in a region where relatively little land is formally protected.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada announced the initiative on October 1, 2025, describing it as the largest land donation it had received during its 54 years of conservation work in Atlantic Canada. According to the organisation's announcement, the donation covers more than 1,800 hectares, equivalent to approximately 4,400 acres, of boreal forest, freshwater shoreline and wetlands. The land is spread across 4 large parcels situated along the Southwest Gander River and Gander Lake. These properties are close to the communities of Glenwood and Appleton, placing the conservation initiative within an important landscape of central Newfoundland. Domtar's contribution will enable NCC to conserve the land rather than leave its long-term protection dependent on future decisions about its use. The company said the initiative reflected its commitment to environmental stewardship and preserving Canada's natural heritage.
The donation has particular significance because of the limited amount of protected land in the surrounding region. The Nature Conservancy of Canada and Domtar reported that less than 3% of the Central Newfoundland ecoregion currently falls under conservation status. This means large areas of natural habitat remain outside established protected areas, making connections between conservation sites particularly valuable. According to NCC, the donated properties could help wildlife move more easily between existing and potential conservation lands. The initiative also has the potential to connect two proposed protected areas, the province's Rodney Pond Wilderness Reserve and Charlie's Place, a conservation area proposed by Qalipu First Nation. As reported by ToDoCanada, the 4 parcels form part of a broader conservation effort intended to improve habitat connectivity while protecting important natural landscapes in central Newfoundland.
The donated properties contain a mixture of forests, wetlands, rivers and streams that support a range of wildlife and plant species. Much of the area is covered by boreal forest, including black spruce, balsam fir, tamarack, white birch, white spruce and trembling aspen. The surrounding waterways also contribute to the region's ecological importance. The Gander River system is one of Newfoundland's most significant watersheds for Atlantic salmon, while freshwater habitats support Arctic char and brook trout. These fish species depend on healthy aquatic environments, making the protection of surrounding forests and wetlands relevant to the wider ecosystem. The land is also within the range of the Middle Ridge caribou herd and close to the Mount Peyton caribou herd. Protecting connected landscapes can help maintain the natural habitats these animals use. Several species identified under Canada's Species at Risk Act are present in the area. NCC lists the Newfoundland pine marten and red crossbill as threatened species, while rusty blackbird and blue felt lichen are classified as being of special concern. To Do Canada also identifies large purple fringed orchids and three-way sedge among the species associated with the landscape, highlighting the importance of conserving habitats beyond forests alone.
Domtar's donation forms part of a wider partnership involving the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Government of Canada. The federal government is supporting the project through its Natural Heritage Conservation Program, which is part of Canada's Nature Fund. The conservation organisation is encouraging local residents, businesses and foundations to contribute towards securing the properties and supporting their long-term management. The funding will also help provide for the ongoing care and management of the land, ensuring that the ecological benefits of the project can continue over time.
Protecting the land does not mean eliminating all recreational activities from the area. According to the NCC, legal hunting and angling will continue once the conservation process is completed. The organisations have also outlined measures to help guide recreational use. Signs will be installed to remind all-terrain vehicle users to remain on existing trails, helping limit unnecessary disturbance to surrounding natural areas. This approach allows conservation efforts to coexist with established outdoor activities while keeping the protection of wildlife habitats central to the project.
The area surrounding Gander Lake is also important for recreational fishing, particularly because of the Gander River system's significance for Atlantic salmon.
The Newfoundland donation is not Domtar's first major contribution to conservation efforts. The company transferred stewardship of approximately 145,000 hectares of boreal forest in Ontario to the Nature Conservancy of Canada in 2022. According to NCC, the Ontario agreement formed part of the largest private land conservation agreement in Canadian history. The property near Hearst is being preserved and managed for research and long-term conservation.
