Fairwood Nature Preserve Expansion

The Georgian Bay Land Trust is ecstatic to announce the expansion of the Fairwood Nature Preserve in Pointe au Baril! In late 2025, this conservation property expanded from 30 acres to a total of over 56 acres thanks to two new conservation easement agreements with anonymous landowners.

The expansion of this preserve encompasses the eastern portion of a larger island and supports an exceptional diversity of ecosystems, with ten distinct vegetation community types identified across the property.

Baseline studies and survey visits documented six species of conservation concern on the property: of particular note are the Eastern Wood-pewee, Midland Painted Turtle, and Monarch, all of which are recognized as species at risk. In addition to these confirmed records, the property is likely to support additional species of conservation concern that have yet to be documented.

Shallow soils and extensive areas of exposed bedrock create ideal conditions for reptiles that depend on open, sun-exposed habitats. The island’s interior supports upland mixed forest communities and contains a unique interior pond known to provide habitat for Midland Painted Turtles. Fen communities were also identified within the interior of the island, supporting distinctive plant species and further enhancing the ecological significance of the site.

The island is part of a larger Pointe au Baril island complex that includes both Conservation Reserves and Enhanced Management Plan Areas. This interconnected island system provides critical offshore habitat for multiple species at risk and contributes to the ecological buffering of the nearby Shawanaga Island Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area.

Located in close proximity to neighbouring conserved lands, this portion of the Fairwood Nature Preserve strengthens the network of protected areas within the Pointe au Baril community. We are grateful to the landowners of the Fairwood Nature Preserve for their conservation vision and for the lasting legacy they have chosen to leave for nature in Pointe au Baril. Thank you also to the Government of Canada's Natural Heritage Conservation Program - Land Trusts Conservation Fund for providing financial support to assist in this conservation initiative.

Please note that the Fairwood Nature Preserve remains a privately-owned Conservation Easement, and is not accessible to visitors.