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 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.
