The Land Between is named after a unique bioregion spanning southcentral Ontario; a the final wilderness landscape in southern Ontario and a refuge for iconic fish and wildlife, as well as 57 Species at Risk. This extraordinary ecotone, rich in wetlands, headwaters, and habitats, provides resiliency and essential ecosystem services that sustain much of southern Ontario’s water, wildlife, and wellbeing.

As a grassroots national charity, The Land Between works with partners across sectors to research, conserve, and celebrate the ecological, cultural, and socioeconomic richness of the region. Our projects range from researching turtle, insect, fish and bird populations to restoring wetlands, shorelands, and pollinator habitats; developing educational curriculums for youth and municipalities; and implementing responsive, collaborative strategies that integrate conservation ethics into community and policy. Our goal is to cultivate conservation that works for communities and which includes embracing the experience and perspectives of local and Indigenous knowledge holders.  

Our flagship initiative, Turtle Guardians, is one of Canada’s leading turtle conservation programs- operating across Canada and parts of the USA. Turtle Guardians uses prevention as a powerful tool to save turtles, focusing on volunteerism, habitat protection, and mitigation such as turtle ecopassages, road patrols providing direct help for turtles, and egg incubation. Through our growing network of volunteers and schools, the program has reached thousands of children and adults, inspiring collective action.

Nationally, The Land Between also leads special initiatives such as the Two Rainbows Travelling Children’s Museum and supports Indigenous-led conservation through the incubation of the Anishinaabeg Land Trust.