If exercise and enjoying the great outdoors are among New Year’s resolutions, residents of Northumberland and Peterborough counties can carve a path forward on new trails near Campbellford.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) recently unveiled new public walking trails at the Mary West Nature Reserve, located at 1186 County Road 35 in the Municipality of Trent Hills.
The newly opened trail system, along with a native plant seed orchard, are part of the privately protected Mary West Nature Reserve.
The nature reserve features 2.8 kilometres of walking trails that wind through forests, wetlands and along a creek. There are new boardwalks and interpretive signs, and the trails are open year-round to hikers during the daytime. Leashed pets are welcome.
“The new trails at the Mary West Nature Reserve are a fantastic community asset for the Campbellford area,” said Mark Stabb, NCC’s central Ontario east program program director, in a media release.
“We hope these new trails encourage people to get out and experience the unique sights, scents and sounds of nature this winter, while travelling through this beautiful forest and meadow.”
The 38-hectare Mary West Nature Reserve is home to towering white pines, spring peepers, a river, and the at-risk eastern wood pewee. Donated in 1991 to NCC through the estate of Mary West (a descendant of the Wests who originally owned the farm at Westben), the property protects wetlands and forests in the Trout Creek and Trent River watersheds.
It is home to species at risk, such as butternut, wood thrush, and snapping turtle.
“This nature reserve also provides carbon storage and flood mitigation, as well as clean drinking water for the community,” NCC noted.
NCC said it is also working to restore old farm fields at the site into a seed orchard of dense native wildflower plantings and grassy meadows.
“This will result in a source of locally grown native seed for NCC’s tallgrass prairie and oak savannah habitat restoration projects across Northumberland County and will provide opportunities for community volunteers to help contribute to habitat restoration over the long term.”
The newly established trail system, parking lot upgrades and the establishment of the native plant seed orchard were supported by numerous partners and donors, NCC noted.
“Nature trails and conservation areas are important for communities and the protection of natural ecosystems,” said Filomena Tassi, minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for southern Ontario, in the media release.
“Our government is pleased to support (NCC) and its efforts to build and maintain lands that benefit the environment. NCC provides opportunities for people to explore, learn about and enjoy the beauty of southern Ontario’s natural habitats, and we are happy to support them.”
During the past two years, NCC said it has influenced the protection of more than one million hectares — almost twice the size of Prince Edward Island — coast to coast to coast.
“In the face of rapid biodiversity loss and climate change, nature is our ally. There is no solution to either without nature conservation. When nature thrives, we all thrive.”
NCC works with people, communities, businesses and government to protect and care for our country’s most important natural areas. Since 1962, NCC has brought people together to conserve and restore more than 15 million hectares. To learn more, visit natureconservancy.ca.
For more information about the Mary West Nature Reserve, call 1-877-231-3552 or email ontario@natureconservancy.ca to inquire about the trails and access points at the nature reserve.
