Size: 48.07 acres

Established: 2022

Donors: Peter & Heather Scott

Status: Not Open to the Public

Protection: Donated & Purchased

Photo by Payton Landsborough

Background:

This former farm has been actively restored by Heather and Peter Scott for more than 25 years. Presently, the Scott’s routinely visit the nature reserve to provide stewardship activities and care for the area.

Description:

Deer Haven has a diverse mix of habitats including mature forests, prairie and early successional woodland. The nature reserve contains a tributary of the Thames River including critical habitat for species at risk fish and mussels. The variety of habitats and proximity to the Thames River make this a key site to protect for long term sustainability of biodiversity. Deer Haven has several forest types including Oak Woodland, White Pine and Scots Pine plantations, Red Maple swamp and early successional woods.

Restoration work on the nature reserve included installing a tallgrass prairie, wetlands to support amphibians, and a large native tree planting program. The 1-hectare tallgrass prairie is a rare and diverse habitat that supports insects and insect-dependent birds. Summers bloom with a variety of wildflowers such as Virginia Mountain Mint, Grey-headed Coneflowers, Stiff Goldenrod and native grasses such as Savannah Grass, Big Bluestem, and Little Bluestem provide seeds for birds during fall migration. Large parts of the former farmland have also been planted with a diverse mix of Carolinian native tree and shrub species.

This project was supported by: 

 
            We also thank all the individual donors for their support of this land conservation project