Caldwell Lake Nature Reserve. Photo © Mike Bryan

Reserves


About Our 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 22 pieces of property, protecting more than 3,770 hectares (9,316 acres). TBFN is a registered charity and can issue charitable donation receipts for the value of the land donated. In addition, we are registered with the federal government as a recognized “Recipient of Ecologically Sensitive Lands”.


Explore Our Nature Reserves:

The map below provides an overview of our Nature Reserves. Explore them all in detail!


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. Hunting, overnight camping, and campfires are also prohibited. 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 invite you to come along.  

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/stocks/bequests to the Fund. Charitable donation receipts are issued for all donations. Donations can be made online (click here), or by contacting Sue Bryan, Nature Reserves Chair, 807-345-6446 or 807-627-4556, at bryan@tbaytel.net

Eula has been a long-term supporter through the 1% for the Planet Program, most recently in 2021 towards the purchase of the Pictured Lake Nature Reserve addition. See https://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org for more information.

Endowment Fund

TBFN has an endowment fund to provide a permanent source of financial support for our Nature Reserves. We welcome donations to this fund. Charitable donation receipts will be provided for all contributions. Please contact Susan Bryan, Nature Reserves Chair, for information about how to donate to the Endowment Fund. Phone: 807-345-6446 or 807-627-4556; e-mail: bryan@tbaytel.net

Affiliation

The Thunder Bay Field Naturalists Club is a member of the  Ontario Land Trust Alliance (OLTA).

OLTA supports one of the largest land trust communities in the world. OLTA’s work includes promoting land conservation and preservation that protects critical environmental assets and endangered species and benefits Ontario communities. The Alliance represents 120,000 individuals and members working together to protect over 90,000 acres of land and both of these numbers grow every year. OLTA promotes and assists our member’s and associates’ vital land trust work through training, education, and communications, as we collectively connect communities, promote land trusts, and act to influence policy and support stakeholders.  

Support Ontario Land Trusts and save the land you love!