Thompson Portage Island Reserve
This property is accessible by permission. If you’d like to visit, please contact Aaron Rusak at (416) 440-1519 x 103 or aaron.rusak@gblt.org.
Property Details
Size: 5 acres
Location: Cognashene
Year Acquired: 2017
Donated by: Rob & Val Thompson
Stewards:
Laura Hilliard
Jason Lefaive
Paul Martin
Property Info
Donated to the Georgian Bay Land Trust by Rob and Val Thompson, the 5-acre Thompson Portage Island Reserve contains a variety of key habitats for local species.
A long shoreline on a sheltered bay means this property is home to high quality wetlands where at-risk species like the Northern Map Turtle thrive. Mixed deciduous and coniferous forest and shrubbed rock barrens round out the property, allowing many species to easily travel between the different habitat types they need throughout their life cycle.
The Thompson Portage Island Reserve is especially ecologically valuable due to its proximity to the Cognashene Lake Conservation Reserve and a portion of Georgian Bay Islands National Park. These linkages are important for establishing natural corridors that allow species to migrate, adapt to changing climatic conditions, and survive in a dynamic environment.