The Couchiching Conservancy worked with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ontario Parks and other conservation partners to purchase this 647 hectare property in 2006. The acquisition of this land, immediately to the east of the Cameron Ranch Alvar, helps create a large block of protected natural lands on the Carden Plain. These protected lands are a model for alvar conservation and stewardship in North America.
Unique features of this property
- 647 hectares of complex grasslands, alvars, shrub lands and wetlands; encompasses a large portion of the Wylie Road Alvar site
- areas of deeper soils and old each ridges have white cedar, white spruce and poplar forests
- crossed by provincially-significant Sedge Wren Marsh (majority is private property) which provides habitat for yellow rails and other marsh species
- habitat for many plant and butterfly species including characteristics alvar species
- at least one nesting pair of endangered eastern loggerhead shrikes, plus many grasslands birds including upland sandpipers, grasshopper, field, and vesper sparrows
- Over 4 km of frontage on Wylie Road, a popular access route for birders
Best time to visit: May and June
Location
From Orillia, take Hwy 12 east and turn left onto County Road 46; follow past Lake Dalrymple on City of Kawartha Lakes Road 6; left on MacNamee Road at the Carden Plain IBA sign; left again onto Wylie Road. Watch for sign on the left after 1 km. Note: Because of the hazards associated with cattle grazing in the Ranch and its remote interior, public access is restricted to guided groups with prior approval. most of the species ca be readily seen from Wylie Road. Call (705) 326-1620 to arrange visits.
