Whitefish Nature Reserve: A New Gem Joins the Rideau Waterway Land Trust

L to R) RWLT's Carolyn Spang, Kayla Horne, and Rachel Zylstra enjoy a scenic break during a field day hike in the new Whitefish Nature Reserve. Photo Provided.

The Rideau Waterway Land Trust (RWLT) has recently added a biodiverse 209-acre reserve to its conserved lands. The Whitefish Nature Reserve at 172 Whitefish Lake Road features a network of trails that are now open to the public from dusk to dawn. This land near Jones Falls will now be protected under the umbrella of the trust, allowing the diversity of species that call it home to flourish.

In a recent online interview, Sara Warren-Roberts, the executive director of RWLT, observed that “Whitefish is a wonderful example of what can happen when conservation and community come together. The generosity of the donors has allowed us to protect an important natural area while also creating a place where people can experience and appreciate it.”

The creation of this reserve was a “true community effort,” according to RWLT’s communications and conservation specialist Rachel Zylstra. The project is supported through a combination of community fundraising and government funding, including the provincial Greenlands Conservation Program (GCP) and the federal Natural Heritage Conservation Program – Land Trust Conservation Fund (NHCP-LTCF).

Jeanie Quirt Brown and the late Nick Brown donated 50 per cent of the land’s value. RWLT fundraised for the remaining 50 per cent. According to Zylstra, “the remaining funds were raised through the support of community donors and partners, including MapleCross and longtime Rideau Waterway Land Trust supporter Bill Gibbons.”

The trail network features a selection of lengths, depending on time and interest. The longest, the Nick Brown Memorial Loop, is 2.8 km and might take up to an hour. The loop travels through a diversity of natural settings, including mature forests, wetlands and meadows. The Gibbons Lookout Trail is 350 m and features a stunning lookout over the wetland from a rocky cliff. The MapleCross wetland trail is 250 m and ambles alongside the wetland, allowing walkers to enjoy its beauty up close. This completes the shortest loop, which might take around 20 minutes to complete.

According to Zylstra, the level of the trails is “easy to moderate, given there are some gradual elevation changes and uneven ground.” Hikers can take a rest and enjoy the view from some strategically placed benches on the trails.

The Review-Mirror was offered an exclusive opportunity to observe a field day to experience the nature reserve in person. I hiked with Zylstra and Land Stewardship Manager Carolyn Spang and Conservation and Restoration Technician Kayla Horne.

Watching these ecological experts in action identifying diverse fungi, plants, dragonfly and damselfly species was awe-inspiring. On that day alone, the team identified over 30 species, adding them to the list of almost 400 that have been identified to date in Whitefish alone.

Field days are important. The staff, volunteers and researchers have been working over the course of the past year to catalogue the species (plants and animals) that make Whitefish Nature Reserve their home. A number of species at risk have been identified: “Gray Ratsnakes, Blanding's Turtles, Yellow-banded Bumble Bees... One of the year's most exciting discoveries was acoustic evidence of all 8 of Ontario's native bat species.”

This is all part of the larger mission of RWLT, whose mission is “To preserve important natural lands and habitat in the Rideau Corridor and foster a healthy future for our communities.” The RWLT stewards 25 nature reserves totalling almost 1,700 acres that it has acquired since it began in the 1990s. It also maintains three nature reserves open to the public for people to enjoy and connect with nature: the popular Rock Dunder, James H. Fullard at 1408 Davis Lock Road, and now Whitefish. Finally, the RWLT fosters future land stewards through its educational program, which includes “hosting class trips, Library Walks, and student co-op placements.”

For those who enjoy hiking at the RWLT, there are many opportunities to support their conservation efforts. Those who like to hike Rock Dunder already pay for a supporter pass when they make use of this stunning nature reserve, whether by the visit or with an annual pass. However, there is a new option available.

The Multi-Property Supporter Pass is only $20 more than the $60 Rock Dunder pass. By choosing this option, you can “directly support trail maintenance, conservation, and stewardship across all 25 of RWLT’s nature reserves, helping to keep these special places accessible and protected for everyone.” To purchase this pass, go to the Whitefish Lake page of the RWLT website at https://rwlt.org/whitefish/.

According to Executive Director Warren-Roberts, donations are key to RWLT’s success: “Community support and private donations are essential to our work, particularly for the ongoing stewardship and care of the nature reserves once they are protected. Donations give us the flexibility to respond to conservation opportunities and ensure these special places are cared for over the long term.”

The Whitefish Nature Reserve is open to the public from dusk to dawn at 172 Whitefish Lake Road, near Jones Falls. There is ample parking at the trailhead. For more information, visit rwlt.org.