The Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC) is announcing a new conservation success story in Ontario with the MapleCross Nature Reserve at Hope Bay, a sanctuary spanning 463 acres on the Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula.
“The MapleCross Nature Reserve at Hope Bay is the realization of decades of cooperation between a dedicated landowner and the Bruce Trail Conservancy, together with the efforts of our exceptional volunteers and staff, the thoughtful generosity of our donors, and a meaningful investment from the federal government. The result is an incredible gift to the people of Ontario that will be preserved and enjoyed for generations to come,” said Michael McDonald, Chief Executive Officer of the Bruce Trail Conservancy.
The creation of this nature reserve marks a pivotal step in safeguarding an ecological corridor housing dense interior forests, a rarity in Ontario’s landscape. This enclave serves as a crucial habitat for area-sensitive bird species, including the melodious American Redstart, the striking Black-and-white Warbler, and the elusive Ovenbird. Moreover, it provides refuge for mammals such as the enigmatic Fisher and the iconic Black bear. Notably, the area’s unique cliff and talus features, seldom found in Ontario, harbor sheltered habitats for numerous rare bat and snake species. With the establishment of the MapleCross Nature Reserve at Hope Bay, these invaluable ecosystems are poised to thrive undisturbed.
Securing the land was made possible by an outstanding gift from the MapleCross Fund; an enthusiastic environmental champion that has supported the creation of seven BTC nature reserves. Aided by the generous contributions of individual donors and support from Environment and Climate Change Canada, the BTC has ensured this irreplaceable Niagara Escarpment land is preserved forever.
Additionally, the BTC received a substantial five-year, $6.6 Million grant from the federal Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund. This funding not only facilitated the establishment of the MapleCross Nature Reserve at Hope Bay but also facilitated the creation of three additional nature reserves in the Owen Sound area, totaling over 700 acres of protected habitats.
“The Niagara Escarpment forms the backbone of unique and protected nature areas across southern Ontario, from Queenston on the Niagara River, through Milton, to Tobermory at the top of the Bruce Peninsula,” said Adam van Koeverden, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for Milton. “With the help of the federal government’s $6.6 million grant to the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, the Bruce Trail Conservancy is preserving another 463 acres of critical habitat on Georgian Bay. Canada is committed to protecting 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030, for the benefit of nature-loving citizens, our biodiversity, and the health of the planet.”
The MapleCross Nature Reserve at Hope Bay not only preserves invaluable ecosystems but also plays a pivotal role in mitigating the effects of climate change. Situated on a karst foundation, the property serves as a natural sink for carbon dioxide and aids in water purification, underscoring its ecological importance.
For over six decades, the Bruce Trail Conservancy has been at the forefront of preserving sensitive Escarpment lands, ensuring accessibility for Ontarians through the Bruce Trail. The Peninsula Bruce Trail Club will oversee the stewardship of the MapleCross Nature Reserve, continuing the legacy of conservation.
As the BTC strives to safeguard the entirety of the Bruce Trail’s 900 kilometres, they extend thanks to the landowners on the Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula for their cooperation, without which the Trail’s continuity would be in jeopardy.
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