Backus Woods Addition, Southern Norfolk Sand Plain, ON (Photo by NCC)
In southwestern Ontario’s Norfolk County lies an incredible forest known as Backus Woods. An addition of 43 acres (17 hectares) of mature, deciduous woodland has expanded the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Backus Woods property to the benefit of many at-risk species including prothonotary and cerulean warblers.
Norfolk is characterized by the highest percentage of forest cover in southwestern Ontario. Located within the Carolinian Life Zone, the area is one of the most biologically diverse regions in Canada and is one of the two areas supporting the highest densities of species at risk in the country. The Norfolk area supports 60 species considered at risk nationally under the Species at Risk Act, as well as 221 provincially rare species.
Forest home to many
The Backus Woods addition contains upland sand plain forest and forested swamp, both largely undisturbed and of significant value to the many rare species these habitats support. From Louisiana waterthrush to eastern foxsnake, and Blanding’s turtle to Jefferson salamander,
As with all of NCC’s work, our goal is to conserve landscapes that allow for the integrity of whole systems to be preserved. This addition adds onto the 5,000 acres (2,025 hectares) already conserved by NCC in this area, as well as the 2,337 acres (945 hectares) owned by the Long Point Conservation Authority. Working together we are building a network of conservation lands in an area of Canada that is under intense development pressure, a major threat to the plants and animals that call this area home.
Supporters of the project
The Backus Woods addition has been conserved by NCC thanks to the generous support of the TD Bank Group through the TD Forests Program, and the Government of Canada through the Natural Areas Conservation Program.
Read about our other TD Forests conservation projects.