Background:

The Eldridge Nature Reserve is a stunning landscape we are thrilled to protect. Our previous Reserve Steward spotted this property for sale and knew because of its proximity to Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park (QE II) and other properties like Reid, Marley & Taylor nature reserves, it was in the perfect location to enhance corridor protection for species along the Black River. Thanks to your support of The Corridors Campaign, we were able to purchase this property from the Eldridge family. We are grateful to the Eldridge family for working with us to ensure this land is now protected forever.

William Eldridge was a United Empire Loyalist who came by train to Washago in 1902 with his wife, and was granted this 200-acre parcel on Chisholm Trail near Sadowa by the crown.  He and his wife homesteaded, raised their children, and established a farm of cattle, horses and pigs.  They also gardened and grew hay, and traveled by horse and buggy, or sleigh in the winter. William passed the farm on to his son Ernest, who passed it to his son Albert.   Albert was the last generation to be born on the farm, and he and his wife eventually moved to the nearby village of Sadowa.   They had four sons:  Harvey, Melvin, Bruce, and Raymond.  Two brothers kept up haying on the land, and all visited the farm with their families for hunting and recreation.  

By 2023, the fourth and fifth generation of descendants agreed it was time to sell the land. What initially started off as a conversation to fully purchase the land turned into an offer by the Eldridges to donate 20% of the appraised value. The family was motivated by a desire to see the land remain rural and wild forever, and preserve their family’s history. 

Landscape and Species:

This landscape features rock barren, sedge marsh, and forest and is highly biodiverse with over 26 species-at-risk.   With it’s new protection it will continue to be a treasured home for innumerable species in the years to come. 

A mixed forest of Balsam Fir, Red Oak and White Birch supports Fishers and Snowshoe Hares. Keep an eye out for Northern Ring-necked Snakes and Smooth Green Snakes and be listening for Veeries and Black-throated Green Warblers. If you’re especially lucky you might notice an Eastern Red-back Salamander.

Among the granite rock barrens you’ll spot Sweet Fern, Poverty Oat Grass and Common Juniper which provide shelter and nesting habitats for Field Sparrows and Eastern Towhees.

The vast marshes and thickets on the edges of forests are what excited us about this property. It’s perfect habitat for Midland Painted Turtles, Northern Watersnake, Blue-spotted Salamander, Gray Treefrog and Wood Frogs as well as Northern Harriers. Animals living in Queen Elizabeth II Provincial Park with wide ranges like American Black Bear, Fisher and Moose can now include this land in their territory. The diverse terrain within Eldridge makes it perfect breeding grounds for smaller species too. Because of Eldridge’s location and habitat, up to 26 species at risk are expected to be present, including Monarchs and Wood Thrushes which thrive here.