About Friends of Lanark Highlands

Friends of Lanark Highlands (FLH) is a non profit community group registered in Ontario and established in April 2023 to oppose what is now known as the Highland Line Pit. The roots of FLH began when six landowners received registered letters from the Township of Lanark Highlands, informing them that Thomas Cavanagh Construction Ltd. was applying to create a gravel pit on 125 acres of land between the Highland Line and Barbers Lake, just south of McDonalds Corners. The pit would operate 24 hours a day, removing up to 1,000,000 tons of sand or gravel per year, and going down as much as 140 feet, well below the water table.

FLH was formed with the mission “To preserve the natural heritage, landscape and culture of Lanark Highlands for the benefit of all who live, work and play there.” At present we have 5 Directors: Judy Hitchcock, George MacKenzie, Geoff Mason, Tim Schruder and Angela Wheeler. Trecia Jones, Sylvia MacKenzie, Carolee Mason and Tim Wheeler round out the Executive. Geoff Mason serves as Chair, George MacKenzie as Treasurer and Tim Wheeler as Secretary. These positions are in effect until the first Annual Meeting.

Opposing the creation of a gravel pit in Ontario is a long process, but we are off to a strong start.