Woolwich Sets Aside 76 acres for Recreation and Habitat Restoration

Woolwich, ON – By restoring a piece of the ecosystem which existed before human intervention, the NEW Elmira Nature Reserve will expand public access to natural areas and restore damaged habitat. Woolwich Township Council has approved a plan by The Township of Woolwich Environmental Enhancement Committee (TWEEC) and Trees for Woolwich (T4W) to permanently set aside approximately 76 acres (30 hectares) of township land for public enjoyment and the preservation of native ecosystems.

Located on the east side of Elmira, abutting the Lions Ring Trail, the area now comprises a mix of abandoned farm field and pasture, wetlands, and wooded areas seriously degraded by invasive species. Because it is mostly flood plain, it is unsuitable for development. The goal is to return the area to the ecosystems which would have flourished here before settlement. Public access on trails will allow people to enjoy the area as well as become informed about the amazing diversity which can be abundant here.

“The Township of Woolwich is so proud of the collaborative partnerships, which lead to the creation of the Elmira Nature Reserve restoration project.  This community based ecological endeavor will provide visitors to the nature reserve with a greenspace that is both a destination and an educational opportunity for many years to come,” said Mayor Sandy Shantz.

To reestablish these ecological zones, Trees for Woolwich will plant about 2000 trees over several years. The TWEEC tree nursery, established in 2013, is already located within the Reserve, and lead volunteer John Mathers is looking forward to providing some of the trees for this reforestation.

“This area has tremendous potential to be a gorgeous natural reserve and still close to town,” enthuses Inga Rinne, Chair of Trees for Woolwich. “It just needs some serious restoration work to eliminate invasive species like phragmites and buckthorn which are threatening to take over, so the native trees have a chance to flourish.”

A multi-faceted immersive education and community engagement program is also planned with informational wayfinding signs, an ecological scavenger hunt, ecological restoration curriculum and a research program. 

Mark Schwarz, a volunteer with Trees for Woolwich, and founder of Earthscape, based in Wallenstein, provided much of the vision for the Elmira Nature Reserve. While TWEEC and Trees for Woolwich have been doing work in the Reserve for years, the 100-year plan he has created is a unifying and long-term vision which will require minimal maintenance once established.

The Elmira Nature Reserve has several purposes:

• to increase biodiversity by increasing the quantity and quality of native habitat
• to increase recreational opportunities by creating a destination natural area with a wide range of habitats and educational opportunities
• to increase the sustainability of the land by reducing maintenance and improving carbon and rainwater capture.

“This is a genuine community project” says Susan Bryant, TWEEC Chair, “conceived by volunteers, supported by Township Council, and implemented by volunteer labour. It will not only benefit Woolwich residents but the whole Region.”

Funding for The Elmira Nature Reserve will come from corporate and community donations as well as TWEEC annual funding from Woolwich Township council.

For more info about Elmira Nature Reserve, Habitat’s project, T4W or TWEEC, please visit: healthywoolwich.org/habitats-project 

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Media contact:

Rae Ann Bauman, Township of Woolwich, rbauman@woolwich.ca