December 2023

This fine looking lone wolf has been visiting Marsh's Falls lately!

November 2023

If you are walking the trails at the Marsh's Falls Nature Reserve, you may be surprised to see that someone has recently cut a number of healthy looking pine trees.  But don't worry - this was done deliberately.  This past week, volunteers identified and cut approximately 20 Scots Pine, a non-native and invasive species.  As part of the Management Plan for the property, one of the objectives is to allow the White Pine – Red Pine forest community to naturally succeed into an old growth forest and to actively monitor and remove any invasive species.  So thank you volunteers for helping us with our long-term goal!

October 2023

The nature reserve was busy through summer 2023. Many visitors took in the falls and walking trails. Foundation events were well attended. Several local groups used the Education Centre for meetings and workshops. And Irwin Memorial Public School grade 5/6 students visited in September. 

Volunteers completed several projects:

• A new boardwalk was constructed on the Riverview Loop trail with lumber donated by Dwight Lumber.
  
• The Education Centre front deck and back door railing were repaired and re-stained.
• New nature posters were donated and hung in the Education Centre.
• The trails were monitored and the grass cut around the Education Centre.

Thank you to all the volunteers who contributed their time, skills, and hard work!

Reminder

If you wish to visit the Nature Reserve please register first. Upon registering you will receive an email with access and parking information, and a trail map.  Registrations help us monitor the amount of trail use and inform our grant applications.

Register to visit

June 2023

Spring Cleanup

Like many organizations, the Foundation relies on volunteers. We were fortunate to have a group of dedicated individuals participate in the first annual Marsh’s Falls Spring Cleanup on April 29.

The winter was challenging, with multiple storms downing many trees along our 4 km of trails. Although we have a small crew of regular trail maintenance volunteers, we needed extra help. We emailed everyone who had registered to visit the property, and nine individuals stepped up to help!

These intrepid volunteers braved a cool and rainy morning, persevered, and had the trails cleared by noon. They were rewarded with hot tea, sandwiches and snacks back at the Education Centre.

Thank you for your hard work and contributions to the Nature Reserve!

Summer Projects - can you help?

We're looking for people to join our volunteer team to help with projects at the Marsh's Falls Nature Reserve:

• Re-staining the wooden benches on the walking trails
• Cutting and brushing the area around the Education Centre to maintain the pollinating gardens
• Removing non-native species from the garden areas
• Repairing the decks on the Education Centre 
• Arranging for a small bridge to be built on one of the walking trails
• Be onsite for a few hours (especially weekends) to open the Education Centre, greet visitors, and inform them about the property and the role of the Foundation.

If you would like to help or have any questions email us volunteer@lakeofbaysheritage.ca

Interested in visiting the property?

Foundation members and the public are welcome to visit this protected property to hike, bird watch and take photos. There are 4km of trails, most of which are level with some moderate slopes. We ask all visitors to register in advance at

https://www.lakeofbaysheritage.ca/marshs-falls-nature-reserve

To protect species and habitat, we don't permit camping, fires, motorized vehicles or pets.

  Photo by Rick Stronks

February 2023

The snowstorm over Christmas resulted in significant tree damage at the Marsh's Falls Nature Reserve leaving the trails impassable. Thank you to the volunteers who worked several days in early January to clear the dozens of trees that blocked sections of the trails.

Two new surveys in 2023

In a continuing effort to inventory and monitor species utilizing our properties, we will embark on two new surveys in 2023. Some species, like plants, are relatively easy to monitor – they don’t move! Other species like birds or frogs can be identified through visual observation and song. But what about animals that don’t make a sound and rarely show themselves? These groups of organisms require specialized equipment and techniques.

In the case of salamanders, those lizard-like amphibians, searching under cover objects is the best way to count them, but this can damage their habitats. By placing specially designed cover boards throughout the forest and then searching these artificial hiding spots, we use a repeatable protocol that doesn’t damage natural habitat.

Salamanders require moist hiding places and are often found under fallen logs and debris in the forest. Salamander cover boards can mimic this environment and can be left out for years and checked regularly. Each board is uniquely numbered and has two layers with a space in between for the salamanders to hang out and stay moist. With the help of volunteers and students, these cover boards will be checked regularly to determine which species are found on the property.

Another group of animals that are rarely seen are bats. Ontario is home to eight species of bats but four are endangered. In some cases, little is known about their roosting locations or migratory paths. Individual bat species emit calls (which humans can’t hear) with specific characteristics related to their size, flight behaviour, and prey types. This means that with the aid of a specialized device called a bat detector, we can identify many species by listening to their calls or recording them for sound analysis on a computer. With the help of a newly purchased bat detector, volunteers will survey the property on select evenings to determine which species are present.

Over the next few years, we will be actively monitoring these two groups of organisms and will report back any results!

Winter Access

As a reminder, winter access to the trails is from Sale Road (not from Highway 35) where two parking spaces are cleared. Please remember to register for your visit to the reserve and that dogs are not permitted on the site. Register at https://www.lakeofbaysheritage.ca/marshs-falls-nature-reserve

May 2022

The Foundation has given the Marsh’s Falls property a new name: Marsh’s Falls Nature Reserve (MFNR). The Reserve consists of three parcels we acquired, with the support of many generous donors, between 2008 and 2016. Our priority is to conserve and support the natural growth and evolution of these properties. The new name reflects this protected status while allowing for low-impact activities like nature appreciation events and trail walks. 

We have made changes to improve MFNR visitor experiences. The highlight is a new colour-coded trail map that is displayed on site and available online. It provides for easy navigation of four connected loops that  range in length from 0.6 to 1.1 kilometers. (Total trail length is 4 km.)

Anyone who wishes to visit the Reserve must first register a request at  https://www.lakeofbaysheritage.ca/MFNR

The link takes you to a set of frequently asked questions about MFNR followed by a registration button. After you register you will receive an email with an acknowledgement, information about access and parking, and the trail map. 

New signs have been posted at our entrances on Highway 35 and Sale Road and also at the landing on the river below the falls. The signs include a QR code that takes you to the registration page on the Foundation website. If you haven’t registered in advance, we ask you to use this feature to do so just before entering the Reserve.

A snag tree left as a potential wildlife resource.

February 2022

You may notice some changes at Marsh’s Falls the next time you visit, as we had to cut some of the large trees around the Education Centre. Last fall, with the help of Sunrise Tree Service, we identified several trees that were dead or dying, and others that were potentially hazardous to the building or visitors. 

The decision to cut down trees on land that has been set aside for long term protection is tough, but we tried to make the best of it. Branches were chipped on site and volunteers spread the resulting wood chips to define the trails close to the Education Centre. More important, you’ll notice several trees where the tops were cut but the trunks left standing (see photo above).  We also left some large branches and tree trunks on the ground. Why? The answer is simple – habitat!

Dead and decaying wood is a critical component of ecosystems. Deadwood is found in standing and downed dead trees.  Standing dead trees (sometimes called snags) provide feeding and nesting sites for many animals (see photo below). Downed deadwood provides habitat for small mammals, insects, fungi and mosses, and even tree seedlings.

Standing dead trees provide valuable foraging and nesting habitat for many species of birds and mammals. Woodpeckers and chickadees are considered primary excavators, as they make holes in dead snags to look for food or build nests. Other birds, as well as cavity-dependent mammals like bats, squirrels, and racoons, rely on primary excavators or natural tree decay to form cavities that they can use for shelter and raising young.

Whether it serves as a home, protection from prey, or a site for feeding on insects, deadwood is an important part of forest ecosystems. By leaving some standing snags and fallen branches and stumps, we aim to provide important habitat for the species that live on the Marsh’s Falls property. And perhaps the next time you do property maintenance at your home or cottage, you will also consider the role of deadwood as a natural resource.

Northern Flicker, a local woodpecker species, will excavate a hole in a dead stump to build a nest and raise its young.

Photos: Rick and Kelly Stronks

October 2021

Things are winding down at Marsh's Falls. The Eduction Centre is closed until next spring.  This fall our 5km of walking trails are available for use by Foundation members and community residents by request. To schedule a walk, email registration@lakeofbaysheritage.ca with your desired date and the names and email addresses of your party. We will follow up with the details on trail access and use. Please remember that use of these trails is at your own risk, as the property is not a public facility. Kindly note that no dogs are allowed on the property. 

Photo: Sara Byrnell

February 2021

Trails groomed and ready

Our 5km of groomed snowshoe trails at Marsh’s Falls are beautiful at this time of year. This winter they are available for use by Foundation members and community residents by request. To schedule a snowshoe or hike in this winter wonderland, email registration@lakeofbaysheritage.ca with your desired date and the names and email addresses of your party. Brian Simpson, our property management director, will follow up with the details on trail access and use. Please remember that use of these trails is at your own risk, as the property is not a public facility. Kindly note that no dogs are allowed. 

Snowmobilers damage reforestation efforts

Much to our dismay, and despite our no snowmobile and no trespassing signage, several snowmobilers breached the Marsh’s Falls property on two weekends in January. They drove around the property, damaging young saplings and recently planted trees in reforested sections bordering highway 35.  We are grateful to volunteers Craig and Doris Macdonald, Brian Simpson and Gloria Woodside for their 3-day effort to install 100 metres of snow fencing, steel support posts and more signage. You can see two sections of the fencing along highway 35.

October 2020

Despite the pandemic we have had a very productive summer at Marsh’s Falls.  Volunteers have been busy on many projects that continue the re-naturalization of the site and enhance our educational and recreational facilities. 

• A network of walking trails has been created to highlight the original First Nations portage route, butterfly gardens, oxbow views, lush wetlands, scenic river views and the sounds and sight of the rushing water over Marsh’s Falls. 
• The trails have been groomed and graded for ease and accessibility and four wooden benches have been installed along the trails to offer scenic views and rest stops.
• A large welcome sign with a map of the trails has been posted near the Education Centre (pictured above).
• Trees have been trimmed around the gazebo to open up the view of Marsh’s Falls.
• Invasive Phragmites plants have been treated to prevent their spread into our wetlands. 
• The tarmac on the former Hwy 35 roadbed by the falls has been removed and prepped with a soil cover to sustain transplanted indigenous trees that over time will restore the natural ground cover of that area.
• The new decks on the Education Centre installed in 2018 have been treated and waterproofed.
• An illustrated educational panel has been installed inside the Education Centre along with 20 tables and 40 chairs to accommodate school programs and large group meetings. 

A group of dedicated volunteers led by Board members Penny Thomas and Brian Simpson got this done.  Special thanks to Craig and Doris MacDonald for their vision and energy in creating the trails and designing the trail map, to Mark McLean, Jack Stewart, Rob Stimpson and Simon Miles for their help on the welcome sign, Phil Pavey for his expert tree trimming, Rebecca Krawczyk for managing our invasive Phragmites, and Mark Pimlott for protecting the new benches with linseed oil and clearing bush around our Hwy 35 signs.  View our volunteer photo gallery.

For more information about Marsh's Falls Click Here.