Size: 364.33 acres
Established: 2007
Status: Open to the Public
Protection: Purchased
Photo by Payton Landsborough
Background:
Located in the Ausable River Valley, Joany's Woods is located near Sylvan in the Municipality of North Middlesex. Thomas Doherty of Sarnia purchased the land in 1986 for the purpose of conservation through reforestation. In 1990, the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority entered into an agreement with Mr. Doherty to manage the land for conservation and passive recreational pursuits by the public. When Mr. Doherty died in August 2006, his executor had to list the land for sale to settle the estate. This led to TTLT purchasing the nature reserve. The name “Joany’s Woods” was given to the nature reserve in memory of Doherty’s daughter, Joan.
Joany's Woods is part of the Ausable River Valley Carolinian Canada Site and is also part of the provincially recognized Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI). ANSIs are areas of land and water containing natural landscapes or features which the Ministry of Natural Resources have identified as having values related to protection, natural heritage appreciation, scientific study, or education. This nature reserve has also been classified as an Environmental Sensitive Area. The Ausable River Valley is categorized as the second most important Carolinian botanical site in Middlesex County.
Description:
In terms of wetlands, Joany's Woods contains a hardwood swamp in the northern end. Along with some small marshy areas, it also contains a small pond and borders on another larger pond. The nature reserve is bordered by hardwood swamps to the north and east. The rest of the area consists of upland and lowland forest, shrubby areas and several sizable plantations. All agricultural land has been reforested through the ABCA and MNR. The nature reserve’s diverse nature has resulted in a wide range of plant communities, which in turn provide excellent wildlife habitat. In the spring, you can see Carolinian specific wildflowers, such as Yellow Trout Lily, Sharp-lobed Hepatica, Virginia Spring Beauty, and Bloodroot.
Joany’s Woods has the most extensive and largest TTLT trail. To know more about the trail, click here.