With the change of seasons on Saturday, Thames Talbot Land Trust and Long Point Basin Land Trust teamed up to announce a change at Hawk Cliff Woods.
The nature reserve east of Port Stanley is about to grow by about 30 per cent in the near future.
Grasslands are some of the most endangered habitats in Canada and this expansion will create over 25 hectares of new grasslands.
Jordan Banninga, vice-president of Thames Talbot Land Trust outlined the project.
The project is the vision of Cheryl Barendregt whose family has lived and farmed on the land since the 1950s.
At a ceremony on Saturday, she explained her vision for Hawk Cliff Woods.
Hawk Cliff Woods is a very special and important habitat stressed Daria Koscinski, Thames Talbot Land Trust executive director.
Barendregt added, “My vision is that first and foremost, the species that are living here are protected.”
The nature reserve also is home to a pair of public trails and a community garden, which provide different options for connecting with nature year-round.
Additional trails and community opportunities will be added on the new lands.
To complete the protection of these ecologically significant lands, Thames Talbot Land Trust and Long Point Basin Land Trust need to raise $273,000 to reach their $2 million campaign goal.
For more information and to donate, visit http://www.thamestalbotlandtrust.ca
