Inception of the Nature Area Inception of the Nature Area • 77 hectares of land • located b located between the etween the C CN N Railway and Lake Ontario, Toronto St. to the east and Cobbledick Cobbledick R Rd d . t to o t the he west. west • Municipality began process of achieving the Nature Area in 1995, in collaboration with other landowners
Origins Origins • Creek arises from Oak Ridges Moraine • Watershed dissected by shoreline of Lake Iroquois • Lake left irregular topography, course soils & poor drainage k l f l h l d • Once settled, forests were cleared • Only most inaccessible portions were left uncleared • These now function as wildlife pathways
The The Wilmot Wilmot Creek Story Creek Story • Lands have remained intact intact over the over the past past century • Human history layered with evolution provides an an understanding of the understanding o f the heritage of Ontario
Native Prehistory Native Prehistory • Nature Area lands typical of native travel ways and fishing grounds • Prehistoric archaeological site, east of marsh, south of Water Pollution Control Plant • Artifacts confirm native occupancy
Area Settlement Area Settlement • Land for farming attracted families from York in late 1700’s • Baldwin family occupied land on Lake Ontario • Mid-1800 Mid 1800 ’ s, s, opening of G opening of Grand Trunk Railroad rand Trunk Railroad motivated growth and development in Newcastle • C Creek became known as Wilmot k b k Wi l t Creek, in honour of Samuel Wilmot
Newcastle Newcastle Fish Hatchery Fish Hatchery • Experiments by Samuel Wilmot in 1866 • 1868, Federal Government opens Ontario’s first fish hatchery • Built to restore declining Built to restore d eclining s salmon almon population population • M aximum production in 1876 – 1 ,500,000 eggs hatched • Operation ceased in 1914
Significance Significance of of the Nature Area the Nature Area • Wide range of landscap pe typ ypes – Visual interest – Habitat for a wide range of birds and wildlife • Recreation – Fishing – Bird watching – Walking • Education – Signage – Developing prog Developing programs rams
Significant Features Significant Features • Identified as a provincially significant wetland • Used U d as a corrid id or t to connect t mi i grant fi fi sh h t th to thei ir spawni ing location • Great sport fishing • • Breeding Breeding a and nd nesting habitat nesting habitat; staging area for migratory birds staging a rea for migrator birds
Wildlife Wildlife Habitat Habitat • Habitats include – wooded creek valley and upland, old field communities, and the marsh • Supports wide range of species, including some of conservation concern • Provides foraging and staging areas for migrant birds, bats, butterflies, hawks, and owls
Vegetation Vegetation • V Vegetat i ion communi ities i are varied and typical of Southern Ontario • Creek valleys – forest • Lowlands – variety of trees • Wetlands – cattail marsh • • Barrier beach – grasses Barrier beach grasses • Tablelands – former agricultural fields
Nature Nature Area Area Concept Plan Concept Plan Buil l t on th e principl e of: • Protecting ecolog g ical integ g rity y • Providing nature-oriented recreation • • Maintaining site s natural resources Maintaining site’ s n atural resources Mad d e up of f a series of zones based on site’s f b d ’ natural environmental areas.
Zone 1 – Wetland Wetland edges and floating cattail pads in marsh are being damaged and degraded due to uncontrolled access. 1 Recommendations: • Clearly defined Clearly defined trail through trail through less sensitive areas • Seasonal restrictions
Zone 2 – Vall lley & Stream 2 Creek bank erosion caused by trampling and loss of vegetation. trampling and loss of vegetation. Recommendations: • Streamside revegetation Streamside revegetation • M anaged walking trail • Watershed stewardship
Zone 3 – Buffers/Barriers Random access down valley slopes; human intrusion in sensitive marsh h bit habitat. t ywvutsrponmlkjihgfedcbaZYWVUTSPONLIHGFEDCBA 3 Recommendation: • Perimeter barrier planting of P i b i l i f thorny unfriendly species
Zone 4 – Upland Forest 4 Understorey is being trampled from random use. Recommendation: •Soft surface walking trail system
Zone 5 – Tablelands 5 Remnant agricultural fields are regenerating into grassland and old field communities. old field communities Recommendations: •Wildflower meadows to attract butterflies and songbirds •Reforestation and natural regeneration •Protection and enhancement of old orchard, roadside trees and hedgerows.
Zone 6 – Lake Ontario Shoreline Cobble barrier beach can withstand pedestrian activity, but reshapes in 6 response to lake conditions. l k d Recommendation: Recommendation: • Erosion must be a consideration in any trail or planting project
Building Building the Vision the Vision Goals and Objectives • Promote Regional ecosystem objectives • Protect and enhance the ecological integrity of the existing natural areas • Provide opportunities for public use of the site • Establish a management framework • Promote public stewardship
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaYWVUTSRPONMLKIHGFEDCBA Getting Involved Getting Involved Realization of concept plan requires time and resources time and resources We need community support and involvement We need community support and involvement Here’ ’s how you can h h hel lp …
Volunteer Your Time Volunteer Your Time… • Planting • Planting trees trees • Building trails • Fundraising
Pick Pick A Project… A Project • Ad • Adopt t-a-Tra T il il • Sponsor the newsletter • F Fund a special d i leven t t
Spread Spread The Word… The Word… • Invite friends to special events • Promote environmentally-friendly behavior • Encourage responsible use of the Nature Area
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaYWVUTSRPONMLKIHGFEDCBA What We Have Done What We Have Done Lake Meadow Trail Lake Meadow Trail, North & South Lookouts North & South Lookouts Waterfront Trail & East Side Trail
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaYWVUTSRPONMLKIHGFEDCBA What We Have Done What We Have Done Wildlife Habitats Newcastle Lions Memorial Forest
What We Have Done What We Have Done Interpretive Signage
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaYWVUTSRPONMLKIHGFEDCBA What We Have Done What We Have Done Gazebo & Gazebo & Kiosk Kiosk Viewfinder
Future Project Future Project Elevated Boardwalk Experience the marsh from a birds eye view
THE END THE END
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