Canadian Eco-Tours

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General Description

Come and experience the beauty and magic that emanates from each of these unique Ontario habitats. Recharge your spirit and drink in the gifts of Mother Earth.

We have established a variety of trail systems and gardens on the farm and invite everyone to explore the many large-scale restoration projects that we have established over the last 12 years. Trails run through our gardens and our many prairie, woodland, wet meadow, pond and stream ecological restoration sites. The trails can be self-guided or come to one of our scheduled tour dates. We are also offering a variety of workshops on habitat creation and gardening.

It is truly amazing how the diversity of native birds, butterflies, insects, frogs and animals increases each year after establishing a native planting.“Grow it and they will come.”

There are also many local points of interest that make the journey an excellent daytrip. Many flock to the Long Point and Turkey Point sandy beaches but it is the local biodiversity that attracted me.  Because of being in the Carolinian Zone, having over 25% forest cover and being on a major migration pathway endows Norfolk County with the highest number of rare creatures and the highest biodiversity in Canada.

There are also many points of interests in the area to make it a wonderful full day trip. The long beaches at Long Point and Turkey Point attract many people but it is the outstanding biodiversity of the area that drew me here. The marshes of the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve, Oak Savanna at Turkey Point, Carolinian Forest at Bachus Woods, the list is long and varied. Because of being in the Carolinian Zone, being a major migration pathway and having over 20% forest cover, Norfolk County has the highest number of rare species and the highest biodiversity in Canada. Many of the plants, birds and animals are found nowhere else in Canada. Come out to the farm to  experience the lush Carolinian forest trails, tranquil ponds, streams and the Tallgrass Prairie wildflowers in bloom.

Trail Guide

The trails are sandy and reasonably level, making walking fairly easy. We have various loops to the trail for those who want to have shorter and longer walks. There are short walks around the demonstration pond and the living herbarium garden. Medium walks are to Keegan’s Prairie Hill and to the lookout platform/wet meadow. Longer walks take you around most of the farm and to see the stream restoration at the back of the farm.

Please Consider:

Treat the farm as a wildlife sanctuary. “Take only pictures and leave only footprints”

We have created homes for wildlife here on the farm please respect their sanctity by keeping domesticated animals on a leash while here.

Healing Garden / Mandala

We established this healing garden to highlight the many beautiful plants that are native to Ontario. All of the plants here are grown from seed in our nursery and are suitable for creating beautiful gardens and natural habitat around your property. You will also notice the wide variety of native pollinators and birds that are happily enjoying these plants.

As you walk slowly exploring this garden and contemplating our verses we hope that you develop a deep stillness within yourselves and a deeper love and connection for the nature of things as they are.

Farm Trail

We offer four trail brochures to help guide you along the way.  The numbers match twelve points of interest along the trail. Each guide focuses on an aspect of ourselves and our deep connection to the earth – Mind, Body and Spirit.

• Ecological – this trail guide talks about the many Marsh, Stream, Wetmeadow, Tall grass prairie, Savanna and Carolinian Woodland Ecological Restoration projects that we have done since 1995. (brochure pdf )

• Fitness – this guide offers an exercise program to get in touch with and invigorate your body. (brochure pdf )

• Contemplative – this guide is a thoughtful and relaxing self exploration with insightful poems and meditation practices at the stations along the trail. (brochure pdf )

• Children's - a fun and eductional version of the trail with different activities at each station. (brochure pdf )

Wetland Pond

This pond was dug in 1999 as a demonstration site for showcasing what landowners can do to enhance wildlife habitat in their ponds. Test holes were dug to determine the groundwater depth, which fluctuated seasonally between 1-6 feet below ground level, making this an ideal location for a pond. The pond is 100 x 120 feet with sloping sides and a 6-8 foot wide shelf at the edge of the pond so that plants can grow.  The centre of the pond was dug to 12 feet to limit plant growth in the centre. The pond was planted with a wide variety of plants found in the nursery.

The soil mounds were planted and seeded with prairie species. Using scrap wood and rocks, we incorporated a snake hibernacula in the south facing slope of the western most soil mound.

The plants established quickly and wildlife (Mallard ducks, Great Blue Heron, American Bullfrog, Green Frog, Grey Tree Frog, American Toad, Painted Turtle, Dragonfly species, Tree Swallow, King Bird, Baltimore Oriole, et al.) soon found and utilized the new pond.

We use the pond in all seasons for nature appreciation, relaxation, swimming and skating.

Seasonal Guide

Spring

Come out to hear the thousands of frogs and birds calling on the farm. Walk the trails and see the spring ephemerals in bloom and enjoy the sights of spring as the buds burst. Also, stop in at the Long Point Bird Observatory Banding Station to see what birds are migrating and check out the many birds that use Long Point as a migration shortcut.

Summer

Come out to experience the lush forest trails, tranquil ponds, streams and the Tallgrass Prairie wildflowers in bloom. The gardens are in bloom throughout the season. 

Fall

The Prairie grasses are spectacular in the early fall, later the trees put on their colourful show. Come out to see the fall migration of birds and Monarchs on the farm and down at the Long Point Biosphere Reserve.

Winter

Come out for a quiet walk or a ski on the trails.