Nature Reserves
Since the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists acquired our first Nature Reserve at the Nipigon River mouth in 1993, the programme has grown rapidly. We now own over 20 pieces of property totalling over two thousand acres. TBFN is a registered charity and can issue charitable donations receipts for the value of the land donated. We are registered with the federal government as a recognized "Recipient of Ecologically Sensitive Lands".
The Purpose of Our Nature Reserves
The main purpose of the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists Nature Reserves is to protect the natural habitats, birds, plants and animals that live in these special places. We do not maintain trails, parking lots, fences, gates or any other facilities at the nature reserves.The Reserves are there largely for protection, with recreational uses of secondary importance.
We encourage you to visit and quietly enjoy the TBFN Reserves, while respecting the special natural features there. Motorized vehicles, including ATVs, snowmobiles, and dirt bikes, are not allowed. If you need detailed directions on how to find these locations please contact the Nature Reserves Chair. Visitors are welcome to join in on club field trips that go to many of the reserves. We hope you will come along.
NEW!!! Bowman Island Nature Reserve
TBFN is planning to purchase a very special nature reserve on a remote island in Lake Superior. Bowman Island is adjacent to our Paradise Island Nature Reserve, which was acquired in 2007. We have a tentative deal to purchase two parcels on Bowman, consisting of forty acres of land and forty acres of water. Except for a small lot owned by a local outfitter, the rest of the island is Crown Land, slated for inclusion in the new National Marine Conservation Area, and therefore securely protected.
The island is valuable for its remarkable natural features, which are largely undisturbed. OMNR has declared Bowman an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest both for Earth Science features (extensive raised cobble beaches) and for Life Sciences values (Arctic Alpine disjunct plants, extensive lichen heath vegetation). In addition there are five very well preserved "Pukaskwa pits" which are of considerable archaeological interest. The island lies at the heart of the new National Marine Conservation Area and has some of the lake’s most scenic shoreline.
TBFN’s agreement to purhase is conditional on our club raising sufficient funds by the closing date of February 29, 2012. The Nature Reserves Committee is actively seeking funding from federal sources and various foundations. However, we must also raise matching dollars through private donations. We need your help and support to proceed!
Please mail your donation to TBFN, Box 10037, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 6T6. TBFN is also able to accept donations of stocks or securities (an increasingly popular approach as it may offer significant tax advantages). A charitable donation receipt valid for tax purposes will be provided for all donations.
You are welcome to call Susan Bryan (807-345-6446) for more information. Thank you for your support in this important conservation effort.
6,000 Trees Planted at Pine Bay !
Thank you to the approximately 40 volunteers who worked so hard to plant 6,000 seedlings at our Pine Bay Nature Reserve on May 14 and 15. The weather was beautiful, everyone worked hard, and the project was a great success. Thanks to our community partners, A & R Greenhouses of Dorion, Outland Reforestation, and the Thunder Bay District Stewardship Council for all their help.
Volunteering
We are always looking for help with our Nature Reserves. You can "adopt" a reserve by acting as a stewardship volunteer. Activities include monitoring for inappropriate uses, reporting wildlife sightings, planting trees, and removing trash. For more information, please contact the Nature Reserves Chair.
Donations to the Nature Reserve Fund
Donations to the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists Reserve Fund are encouraged. These can be in the form of an actual property or cash/bequests to the Fund. Charitable donation receipts are available. Please contact the undersigned if you would like to help the Reserve Fund with your donation.
Contact: Sue Bryan, Nature Reserves Chair, 807-627-4556, bryan(at)tbaytel(dot)net
TBFN is a registered recipient of donations made through 1% For The Planet.
Superior Outdoors Inc. (Superior Outdoors Magazine) has been a generous annual donor to TBFN Nature Reserves through the !% For The Planet program. Thank you to editors / publishers Darren and Michelle McChristie for their support again in 2011.
Endowment Funds
TBFN has two endowment funds to provide a permanent source of financial support for our Nature Reserves. Donations may be made either to TBFN's own Endowment Fund, or through the Thunder Bay Community Foundation to the TBFN Land Stewardship Fund. Charitable donation receipts will be provided for all contributions.
Acknowledgement
The Thunder Bay Field Naturalists are grateful for the support of the Ontario Land Trust Assistance Program - an Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Initiative that assists land trusts with land securement costs to help conserve Ontario's biodiversity.
