Thames Talbot Land Trust is a registered Canadian charity with a mission to protect, conserve, and restore nature within Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford and Perth counties, contributing to a stable climate, human wellbeing, and healthy habitats for all species. Our vision is to create a network of permanently protected areas that are rich in biodiversity, sustain life and nourish a sense of wonder and inspiration for all people.
The Long Point Basin Land Trust is a Canadian registered charitable organization with a mission to protect the rich biodiversity and habitats of the Long Point Basin area located in the Carolinian region, an area with some of the highest biodiversity in plants and animals in Canada. This is accomplished through land ownership, land management, and nature stewardship on properties owned by the Land Trust, partner organizations, and private land stewards. We work together to restore functioning habitats and ecosystems within our Reserves through ongoing stewardship programs and outreach and volunteer activities.
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The project is the vision of Cheryl Barendregt whose family has lived and thrived on the land since the 1950’s. The farm was the family’s livelihood and the woods their classroom. Cheryl’s grandchildren now explore the woods and meadows, finding salamanders, admiring butterflies, and listening to bird song. The thrill of spending the day in nature with “Mima” is a highlight of the visit to her house. Cheryl’s enthusiasm for nature is evident to all who share a walk in the woods with her. Cheryl first collaborated with Thames Talbot Land Trust in 2016 to protect the 93-hectare block of mostly wooded ravines. This new project will see portions of the land restored to a vibrant and diverse natural habitat, complementing the existing woodland and meadow habitats, and completing the original vision of protecting and restoring the entirety of Hawk Cliff Woods.
Hawk Cliff Woods is home to a wide diversity of species including 15 species at risk, several of which will benefit from the creation of additional habitat. Grasslands are some of the most endangered habitat types in Canada. This project will create over 25 hectares of new grasslands, which will provide a wide array of benefits to species, such as Monarch, Brown Myotis, and Bobolink, that rely on large blocks of this rare habitat. In addition, the restoration project will provide services to the local community such as carbon sequestration, pollinator habitat, and recreational opportunities.
Nature lovers from far and wide have been visiting Hawk Cliff and vicinity for generations as a premier destination for viewing fall raptor, songbird, and Monarch migrations. The annual Hawk Cliff Woods Migration Weekend, running for more than 40 years, is a public event that celebrates the fall migration and typically sees over 300 visitors. The nature reserve also boasts two public trails and a community garden, which provide different ways to connect with nature year-round. Additional trails and community opportunities will be added on the new lands.
Contact Name: Daria Koscinski
Contact Email: daria.koscinski@ttlt.ca
Website: https://www.thamestalbotlandtrust.ca/