Mink Bay
Mink Bay Nature Reserve
TBFNC is delighted to announce the acquisition of our 24th nature reserve. The Mink Bay Reserve is a 213-acre (86 ha.) property on Lake Superior south of the City of Thunder Bay, and about half-way to the American border. The land was acquired as an Ecogift, through a partial donation from an anonymous supportive member of TBFNC.
This extremely rugged and scenic property features 880 metres of shoreline on Lake Superior. Its most striking feature is a flat-topped mesa rising more than 100 metres above the lake. This mesa is skirted by sheer cliffs and extensive fields of talus. The talus and cliffs are the most biologically interesting areas on the property, featuring several provincially or regionally-rare plant species. Peregrine Falcons (a provincial species at risk) have a long history of successfully nesting on these cliffs. Inland, the property includes mixed forest areas, streams, and a beaver pond. Also of note is a small area of cobble beach which is approximately 170 metres long and is located at the easternmost corner of the property. The Mink Bay Reserve has links to many other protected lands, as shown on the map below. This area also abuts the Mink Mountain development on Island Drive.
The inspiration and funds needed to protect this land came from several quarters. First, we are very grateful to the anonymous supportive member for approaching TBFNC to protect the property, and then for generously donating a portion of the property value. Also important are the many private donors who support TBFNC Nature Reserves. In particular, we wish to acknowledge the family and the friends of Steve Kingston. Their memorial donations following Steve’s passing in December, 2024 helped to support this purchase. Steve had a life-long love of the Lake Superior shoreline, and helping to preserve a portion of it is a fitting way to remember him. Steve’s family live very near the new reserve, at Sturgeon Bay.
