Norah’s Island is a 22-acre island on our beautiful Kennisis Lake. Norah was donated by Bruce Carruthers to the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust (HHLT) to honour the memory of his late wife, Norah, in 2007. Environment Canada certified the island as ecologically sensitive, a key step in the donation process. It was donated through Environment Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program.
Norah’s Island is one of the “last vestiges of intact representative wilderness” on Kennisis Lake
History
Norah and Bruce Carruthers used to visit the lake to see their friends, the Kerr Family. In the 1970s they were visiting when they found out that a large island across from the Kerr cottage was for sale. They bought it planning to perhaps build on it one day, but content to leave it be until they made up their minds. In the meantime, Norah inherited her family cottage on Georgian Bay and it was at that lakeside retreat that the Carruthers family would gather. Apart from their visits to their friends at Kennisis Lake, they seldom saw their island. The Carruthers owned the island for 32-years before Bruce donated the island in 2007 to the Land Trust.
Management
The Norah’s Island Management Committee (NIMC) was formed through a partnership with the Kennisis Lake Cottage Owners’ Association (KLCOA) and the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust.
The committee consists of representatives from both and together they oversee the management and protection of Norah’s Island.
A “Leo Sepa” original commemorative plaque has been installed on Norah’s South Shore. It recognizes the Carruthers donation and the many generous donors to the Norah’s Island Endowment Fund. The Endowment Fund will provide the HHLT with the financial resources necessary to maintain and protect Norah’s Island in perpetuity.
Norah has a group of dedicated volunteers known as “The Eyes on The Island” Management committee. This collection of “eyes” keeps watch over Norah throughout the year. They report anything unusual to NIMC who in turn report to the Land Trust (HHLT).
When you visit Norah, we ask that you take just pictures.
Overnight camping is strictly prohibited on Norah’s Island.
If you have any questions or wish to volunteer or make a donation to the Land Trust, please contact a member of the NIMC or the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust – www.haliburtonlandtrust.ca – 705-457-3700.
The Norah’s Island Management Committee (NIMC):
Jeff Pinkney, Chair of NIMC – jeff.pinkney@gmail.com – 705-874-6529
