Background:

As of spring 2014, Windmill Ranch became part of the Carden Alvar Provincial Park.

The Couchiching Conservancy worked with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ontario Parks and other conservation partners to purchase this 647 hectare property in 2006. The acquisition of this land, immediately to the east of the Cameron Ranch Alvar, helps create a large block of protected natural lands on the Carden Plain. These protected lands are a model for alvar conservation and stewardship in North America.

Landscape and Species:

• 647 hectares of complex grasslands, alvars, shrub lands and wetlands; encompasses a large portion of the Wylie Road Alvar site
• areas of deeper soils and old each ridges have white cedar, white spruce and poplar forests
• crossed by provincially-significant Sedge Wren Marsh (majority is private property) which provides habitat for yellow rails and other marsh species
• habitat for many plant and butterfly species including characteristics alvar species
• many grasslands birds including upland sandpipers, grasshopper, field, and vesper sparrows
• Over 4 km of frontage on Wylie Road, a popular access route for birders

History:

John Arthur Hawtin ranched with his father, and later with Noreen, until his late 80s. Then, he was pleased to see the unique lands of the ranch come under the protection of the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the Couchiching Conservancy and other groups for future generations of nature lovers and bird watchers to enjoy. An article was written about about John in the Globe and Mail – you can read it here.