While it is perhaps difficult to imagine adding this expense to rare’s budget; it is impossible to think of missing this opportunity. At no other time in our history has the case for the environment been so urgent and compelling. This is especially true in Southern Ontario where forests, wetlands and farmland are constantly under the pressure of urban development. This land base, along with the amazing community-driven effort to save it is fundamental to our future.

Indian Woods: The Jewel in the Crown

Of all the many special features on the rare lands, probably no one would argue against Indian Woods as the crowning jewel. It is remnant old-growth forest, unique in southern Ontario, representing a forest structure and functional ecosystem of which only 0.1% remains in southern Ontario.  It merges with deciduous-mixed swamp surrounding the mid and upper reaches of Bauman Creek. Bauman Creek is significant in that it is a cold water creek and supports Brook Trout. As well, these woodlands connect in amoeba-like fashion with Blair Road Slope Woods, Manor House Woods and Barn Woods. Collectively, they form a somewhat contiguous 60 ha of mature and maturing woodlands.  The land that we wish to acquire abuts on Indian Woods.  Indeed it is a continuation of this forest and consequently our main desire to add this land to our reserve.

Indian Woods is home to more than a dozen species of birds dependent upon its old-growth characteristics; very large, old trees, swamp, cavitied trunks and branches, decaying windfalls and sunlit forest gaps. The catch-basin ponds in spring attract wood ducks and are habitat for frogs and salamanders. Under the canopy of red and white oaks, white ash, basswood and white pine, is a ground cover of ferns, shrubs and flowering plants in a mix of Northern Hardwood and Carolinian species. A third of the 17 species of ferns identified on the property, including interrupted fern, lie within Indian Woods. Unpalatable to white-tailed deer, spicebush thrives in the understory of the mixed swamp. The regionally rare squawroot grows at the base of massive oaks.

The unanimous advice of the rare Environmental Advisory Team is to protect these trees by leaving them alone – ensuring that access to them is restricted to monitoring and research. 

If we miss this opportunity to purchase these 90 odd acres of old growth forest and relatively unscathed land, they will invariably be sold to developers – another piece of our history and our children’s environmental future lost forever.

Size Matters

Acreage is important for many reasons.  From a scientific view point, according to Dr. Stephen D. Murphy, Department of Environment and Resource Studies, University of Waterloo; Vice-Chair, Society for Ecological Restoration Ontario and Co-Director of Research at rare:  “I can emphasize that the larger rare is or at least the larger the buffer zone around it (i.e. less sprawl), the more likely rare will function ecologically.  It’s well established that smaller isolated habitats are vulnerable to everything from disease to invasives to a cutting off of the water table to simple slow destruction by wind.”

Vision in Spite of Adversity

Holding land in trust, in perpetuity, is an ongoing effort, involving diligence, perseverance and, occasionally, outright battles to maintain control. The charity has struggled to keep the 913 acres intact and has managed to do so only because of public outcry and support.

To help save and protect this extremely important piece of land click here and donate online today or call our Community Relations Office at 519-650-9336 ext 112.

Please don't let this opportunity be missed!