Nature needs you in its corner.

On Sunday, October 18th, TTLT wants to welcome you to experience the wonders of nature just around the corner. For one afternoon, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, you can walk the trails of Corner’s Corner, a sixty-acre site southeast of St. Thomas, where Fruit Ridge Line meets Yarmouth Centre Road. Whether you are aware of the site’s legacy or just excited by the potential of a new nature experience nearby, we hope you’ll join us to learn about the land’s history, ecological wonders, and community significance. Everyone is welcome, and it is free to attend. All we ask is your consideration of a donation to help us secure this special place for all of us to enjoy for more than just the afternoon. 

Corner's Corner's Significance

The Corner family lived here for more than a century. Bill Corner, a lifelong steward of this land and an Olympic archer, spent decades planting hundreds of native trees. He cut the trail network with help from the St. Thomas Field Naturalists, who walked those trails alongside him for years, leading hikes and teaching people what they were looking at. Then he did something people rarely do with land they own: he kept inviting the public in. 

Generations of local naturalists learned this site by heart. School groups came through. Birders came at dawn. Over the decades, several generations of Corners have cared for the land, but recently public access has been infeasible. Understanding both the cultural and ecological significance of the land, Joe and Aubrey Corner now hope to continue the family legacy through a transfer to a local land trust. In TTLT’s hands, the land will be forever protected with a shared vision of community access and nature connection. 

Corner's Corner holds a mature Carolinian Forest with an intact native understory, a provincially significant wetland, and a millpond that local birders have watched for generations. More than 140 bird species have been recorded on or near the site, including owls, migratory warblers, thrushes, woodpeckers, hawks, and waterbirds. Snapping turtles use the pond. Southern flying squirrels live in the canopy. Bill's wildflower plots still bring in butterflies and moths.

“Corner's Corner holds much personal meaning and history for us. It's more than just a piece of land. It's a place where our family has lived and raised children, memories have been made, time has been spent together, and a connection to nature and the importance of preservation has continued over the years. We've always enjoyed the peace and beauty of the land, from being surrounded by trees and wildlife to simply having a place to slow down and enjoy the outdoors. Knowing that this land has been part of our family makes it even more meaningful.” – Joe Corner, current owner and Bill’s grandson 

What the afternoon looks like

• Guided hikes with Thames Talbot Land Trust staff and the St. Thomas Field Naturalists. The same walks, on the same trails, that have been led here for decades. Learn about the wildlife that makes Corner’s Corner unique, and the stories of how it came to be.

• Self-guided walks with a trail pamphlet, at your own pace. Our story map will provide all of the history and ecological tidbits you may wish to know as you trek through these cherished woods.

• Hot apple cider and light fall refreshments. What’s better than a cozy drink and snack after an afternoon stroll? Bring a thermos if you'd like.
  

The naturalists leading these walks have been keeping the lists for decades. Ask them what to listen and look for when you join us on October 18th — or use a pamphlet provided and enjoy the trails at your own pace! 

“Our hope is that once Corner's Corner is passed on, its natural beauty and character will be preserved and protected for generations to come. We hope others will be able to experience the same sense of peace, connection, and appreciation for the land that our family has had over the years.” – Aubrey Corner, current owner 

The event is free, but your generous contributions, word of mouth, and passion for this place will help us achieve this monumental goal. Together, we will protect Corner’s Corner as a sanctuary for nature lovers, a place for connection, and a safe haven for local wildlife.

Nature needs you in its corner.

DONATE TODAY

 REGISTER FOR CORNER'S CORNER FALL HIKE