Archive for the ‘Conservation Areas’ Category
Enniskillen
August 30, 2007
Wilmot
August 28, 2007Samuel Wilmot Nature Area
I love this place. As an ornithologist and botanist, I find its appeal irresitible.
“This 2.1 km trail lies within 77 hectares of stream valley lands and wetlands on the shore of Lake Ontario. The Waterfront Trail traverses the property and walking/hiking trails provide access to shoreline, Newcastle Marsh and Wilmot Creek.” – realontario.ca
Municipality of Clarington Profiles WCNA
Up close and personal with bugs, butterflies and birds
“NEWCASTLE — Recently a group of bug enthusiasts joined naturalist James Kamstra on a walk through the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area to take a closer look at the many insects and wildlife which inhabit the area.
The main focus of the guided tour was to learn about the Monarch butterfly as it prepares to head south for the winter. Monarch butterflies are well-known for their lengthy annual migrations each fall from Canada to Mexico (and vice-versa in the spring) without losing their way for about 5,000 kilometres. As the length of these trips exceeds by far the lifetime of any given butterfly, it is strictly a one-way trip for each butterfly…
John Stoner, chairman of the Samuel Wilmot Creek Advisory Committee, would like this to be a yearly event.
“We are trying to build up interest in the area. There are walking paths. We are fundraising for a bike path. The committee is putting together a PowerPoint presentation for local schools to encourage donating volunteer hours.”
The area is home to many migrating birds; loons, geese, purple martins and even a pair of mute swans with their young at the mouth of Wilmot Creek.”
Other Blogs on Samuel Wilmot Nature Area:
We were one with nature, with yelling.
Wilmot Creek, by Amy, February, 2007.
Nature Trails and Picturesque Scenes
Waterkeeper News:
Waterfront to get a facelift (2003)
A partnership between the Municipality of Clarington and the federal and provincial governments means a facelift for part of Bowmanville’s waterfront, as well as improvements to the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area.
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SAMUEL WILMOT NATURE AREA
Municipality of Clarington
Phone: 905-623-3379
Directions: West Parking Lot: Take Hwy 401, exit Hwy 35/115, Hwy 2 east to Cobbledick Road and continue to the end of the road. East Parking Lot: Take Hwy 401, exit at Mill Street, go west on 18 Toronto Street (directly opposite east bound 401 ramp), continue to parking lot at end of road.
The Samuel Wilmot Nature Area is located south west of Newcastle Village on the shores of Lake Ontario. It is comprised of approximately 190 acres of land containing a variety of landscape types including mature forests and meadows, a remnant orchard and hedgerows, the Wilmot Creek and associated valleylands, a shoreline, wetland and a cobble barrier beach.
The Newcastle Marsh, a Provincially Significant Wetland and Regionally Significant Life Science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest is valued as a coastal wetland, providing a breeding and nesting area for waterfowl, and a staging area for migratory birds. The area provides excellent recreational opportunities for fishing, bird watching, walking and nature enjoyment and offers a wonderful potential for educational experiences. A portion of the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail, 2.1 km in length, traverses the property from east to west.
The majority of the lands are owned by the Municipality of Clarington, Ministry of Natural Resources and Ontario Power Generation. An Environmental Management Plan has been prepared to ensure its natural resources are protected and enhanced, while providing for nature-oriented recreational uses. Trails leading from both the east and west parking lots have been constructed as well as viewing platforms at the north and south ends of the marsh.
The successful realization of the Nature Area will take time and resources. A Management Advisory Committee comprised of local citizens has been formed to assist the Municipality and the Ministry of Natural Resources in managing the site. The Committee looks towards the community for support and involvement. If you would like to volunteer your time to plant trees, build a trail or you or your group would like to fund a project, we would like to hear from you.
