The Poole Family Nature Reserve Ecological Gift property is adjacent to the 530 acre Keddy Nature Sanctuary, bringing the total contiguous protected area to 640 ac. It contains part of the Scotch Corners Provincially Significant Wetland Complex.
The wetlands, interspersed with forest, include species-rich marshes; deciduous, mixed and coniferous swamps; vernal pools; and seepage areas. The swamps are characterized by green ash, yellow birch, black ash, red maple, blue beech, white cedar and balsam fir. Moss-covered logs are frequent in the understory. One swamp is exceptionally rich in fern species (14)—maidenhair fern, ostrich fern, northern oak fern, lady fern, sensitive fern, cinnamon fern, bulblet fern, crested woodfern, royal fern, marginal shield fern, marsh fern, northern beech fern, spinulose woodfern, silvery spleenwort. Osprey and great blue herons have been observed in the marsh.
The well-developed upland forest is composed of sugar maple, ironwood, basswood, red oak, white pine, and hemlock with a scattering of bitternut hickory, beech, white birch, and red maple. Some hemlock, green ash, white pine and sugar maple stands are well over 150 years old. Many trees in the grove of old growth white pine are at least 37 m tall, with one over 40 m—comparable to those in Gillies Grove (Arnprior), owned by the Nature Conservancy of Canada. Hemlock trees may reach 30 m—like those at Arnprior or in Shaw Woods (20 km S of Pembroke). All three species of elm known from the area are found here—rock (44 cm diameter), American, slippery.
Currently we know the property provides habitat for five species at risk (butternut, snapping turtle, painted turtle, monarch butterfly, eastern wood pewee) and 28 plant species significant in Lanark County. Additional noteworthy discoveries may be made this summer as MMLT conducts field inventory to support the preparation of a property Baseline Documentation Report. This BDR will provide the foundation for developing a property stewardship plan in 2019.
Directions to trail: Approximately 8 km west of Carleton Place on Highway #7, turn south on Scotch Corners Rd. and travel 5.2 km. Turn right on the 11th Line Beckwith which soon becomes Drummond Con. 11 and travel 1.3 km. The trailhead is located at # 318
The Poole Family Nature Reserve is just one of the many nature trails and hiking trails you can find throughout Ontario by using the search features of OntarioNaturetrails.com
Region(s): Lanark CountyNearby towns and cities: Carleton Place
Poole Family Nature Reserve characteristics
Length: length of trail not knownDifficulty: Moderate (Trail classifications)
Trail surface: Natural
Trail use: Hiking and Cross-country skiing
Accessibility Notes: Not wheelchair accessible
Fees: none
Flora & Fauna:
See trail description.
Amenities: none
Attractions: none
Contact:
Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust 613-253-2722
Find it: 318 Drummond Concession 11, Drummond-North Elmsley, ON
GPS Coordinates (main trailhead):
Latitude: 45.0699140
Longitude: -76.2145780
