Bruce Trail Guide to. Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment

Transcription

1 Bruce Trail Guide to Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment

2 Bruce Trail & Niagara Escarpment Forests Walking under the cool shade of a hundred foot high forest canopy is one of the many delights of the Bruce Trail. In fact, on almost any hike along the Bruce Trail, you will find yourself in a forest. To the observant hiker, the wonderful treed oases of the Niagara Escarpment are a joy to explore. May this booklet help you become more familiar with diversity of forest life along the Bruce Trail. Making the most of your forest hike: Take this booklet with you for handy reference. Slow down and look beyond your boots. There is much to see at every level of the forest. Pick up a trail map at brucetrail.org Head out on an organized Bruce Trail hike. Seek out a Bruce Trail Heritage Tree (pg ). Contents Map: Exploring Forests along the Bruce Trail Forest Regions Carolinian Forests Coniferous, Deciduous & Mixed Forests Treed Talus & Cliffs Forest Layers Forest Succession Stewarding Escarpment Forests Common Escarpment Trees DECIDUOUS American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) Butternut (Juglans cinerea) Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) Trembling Aspen (Populus tremuloides) White Ash (Fraxinus americana) White Oak (Quercus alba) White Birch (Betula papyrifera) DECIDUOUS / CAROLINIAN Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata) Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) CONIFERS Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) White Spruce (Picea glauca) Heritage Tree Scavenger Hunt Resources Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 2

3 3 4 For details of the locations highlighted in this guide, visit brucetrail.org or call Find out more about each of these forest types and the trees that call them home in the pages to follow. This map shows just a few of the many forest types you can explore on your next trip along the Bruce Trail. The Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC) protects and stewards over 7,600 acres of land on the Niagara Escarpment as part of its mission to establish a conservation corridor along the Niagara Escarpment. Roughly 77% of that protected land is forest habitat. The Bruce Trail runs along its length for over 885 km, making it the oldest and longest public footpath in Canada and the best way to explore the Escarpment s treasures. The Niagara Escarpment is a massive forested ridge of ancient dolostone stretching through southern Ontario from Niagara to Tobermory. Exploring Forests Along the Bruce Trail

4 Forest Regions of the Niagara Escarpment The Niagara Escarpment runs through two major forest regions in Ontario: Carolinian (or Deciduous) Forest Region The Carolinian Forest Region reaches its northern limit in Ontario at an imaginary line running between Grand Bend and Toronto. Although it covers less than 1 percent of Canada s land mass, the region is now home to more than 25% of Canada s population. In this warm region, the forest life is the most diverse in Ontario. A number of nationally rare species of mammals, birds, plants and insects can be found here. On the Bruce Trail, you hike in this forest region from Queenston to Burlington. Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Forest Region From the Bruce Peninsula south to Burlington, most of the Niagara Escarpment is in this region. It is a transition zone between the Carolinian Region to the south, and the colder Boreal Region farther north and as such supports a mixture of landscapes and plant and animal species. On the Bruce Trail, you hike in this forest region from Burlington to Tobermory. 5 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 6

5 Carolinian Forests These amazingly diverse deciduous forests are unique in Canada. Named for North & South Carolina, where similar forests are more common, only a small portion of this forest region reaches into Canada. Even though the Carolinian zone is small compared with other Canadian vegetation zones, it boasts: 1)More flora and fauna species than any other ecosystem in Canada, including; 70 species of trees 64 species of ferns 400 species of bird 2) One-third of the rare, threatened and endangered species found in all of Canada, including forest species like: Tulip Tree, Pawpaw, Blue Ash, and the Kentucky Coffee-Tree Carolinian Forest Species Trees: Tulip Tree, Sassafras, Shagbark Hickory Shrubs & small trees: Flowering Dogwood, Spicebush Bird: Hooded Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher Mammals: Southern Flying Squirrel, Opossum Carolinian forests on the Bruce Trail Niagara-on-the-Lake Easement 7 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 8

6 Coniferous Forests: Needles & Cones These forests are dominated by needle-bearing, cone-producing trees like White Cedar, White Pine or White Spruce. Coniferous forests on the Bruce Trail Hemlock Ridges Boyne River School Madill-Sattler Gutzmer-Wiese Deciduous Forests: Leaves & Flowers The canopies of these forests are formed by broadleaf trees that grow flowers and lose their leaves during the winter months. Common associated species: Sugar Maple-Beech; Oak-Maple- Hickory; Birch-Aspen Deciduous forests on the Bruce Trail Burlington Easement McNally Pollock Dinedune-Metheral Mixed Forests: A bit of everything Most of the forests you ll walk through on the Bruce Trail are Mixed forests, so called because they have the right conditions to support a mixture of species from Coniferous and Deciduous forests. Mixed forests on the Bruce Trail McKean Hammer 9 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 10

7 Talus: Trees Among the Rocks Rare vegetation communities exist among the jumble of rocks called Talus at the base of the Escarpment s cliff faces. Sugar Maple and White Cedar each form a Treed Talus community. Treed Talus on the Bruce Trail Nelles Estates Hunt Malcolm Bluff Shores Cliffs: Forests Clinging to the Edge Above the rocky Talus slope, the oldest trees in eastern North America can be found clinging to the cliff face. The stunted White Cedars (pg. 53) that cling to the Escarpment face endure harsh conditions that prevent most other species from growing. Although they may not look it, some of these ancient trees are well over 1000 years old. Cliff forests on the Bruce Trail Boundary Bluffs Although not technically forests because of the sparse canopy, treed talus and cliff communities are important and rare treed habitats on the Niagara Escarpment. 11 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 12

8 Forest Layers: Look up down and all around! Each layer of the forest from the tallest tree to the soil beneath your feet is filled with life. All the layers work together in a balanced partnership between plants, animals and habitat. Canopy: These are the tallest trees in the forest, receiving direct sunlight, and affecting much of what goes on below. Forests are often described by the trees that form the canopy. Common associated canopy trees: Sugar Maple-Beech; Oak-Hickory; Hemlock-Maple. Understory: Here young trees waiting for their chance to pop up into the canopy. They are the shade-tolerant plants that will form the future forest here. Shrub: These are the shrubs and small trees that live beneath the shade of the trees above. Ground: Our eyes are often drawn to this layer of wildflowers, grasses, ferns, mosses and lichen at our feet. Here we also find the nuts, cones, seeds and berries of the plants above. Soil: Forest recycling occurs here. Fungi, insects, bacteria, and earthworms are among the many organisms that break down organic material and provide nutrients to the forest layers above. 13 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 14

9 Forest Succession: Change over time In the natural growth of a forest, species replace each other over time through a process called succession. Shrub Stage: Un-mown fields can be quickly colonized by Pioneer Species, sun-loving shrubs and trees like Trembling Aspen and White Birch that grow quickly but have a short lifespan. Young Forest: Pioneer tree species create shade and a moister environment for the trees of a future forest growing in the understory. There are still plenty of gaps in the canopy. Mature Forest: Beneath the canopy created by the mixed woods, moderately shade-tolerant trees become established like Ashes, Oaks and Hickories. Climax Forest: The cycle of succession slows when the most shade-tolerant trees like Sugar Maple, American Beech, Eastern Hemlock are able to become established. Seedlings of these species thrive in the shade of their parents. Climax forests are relatively stable communities that will remain as such until a disturbance like fire, a falling tree, or human development begins succession anew. Early Successional Forests on the Bruce Trail Springle Valis Climax Forests on the Bruce Trail Harshman 15 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 16

10 Stewarding Escarpment Forests The Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC) protects and stewards over 5,900 acres of forest along the Niagara Escarpment by: 1) Creating Corridors As one of Ontario s largest land trusts, the BTC purchases land in its mission to establish a conservation corridor for Niagara Escarpment flora and fauna that can be explored using the Bruce Trail. Conservation corridors provide uninterrupted areas of habitat to allow dispersal of plants, and safe access to food, shelter and breeding areas for wildlife. 2) Planting Trees To connect adjacent forests or increase the size of existing ones, the BTC has planted over 22,000 native trees on BTC-managed land since ) Restoring Plantations Conifer tree plantations are stands of a single tree species, planted in rows. They are usually an effort to reforest an area quickly but they have little biological diversity. On BTC-managed land, we are working to improve the diversity in older plantations by selectively thinning the conifers and planting native deciduous trees like Sugar Maple and American Beech. 17 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 18

11 Stewarding Escarpment Forests 4) Monitoring & Removing Invasive Species The BTC is working to control invasive forest plants like Garlic Mustard and Dog-strangling Vine that are choking out native plants on the forest floor. We are also keeping close watch for invasive forest insects like the Emerald Ash Borer and Asian Long-horned beetle that have yet to infect forests on BTCmanaged land. 5) Identifying & Monitoring Species-at-Risk BTC ecologists have identified 23 forest-associated species-atrisk on BTC-managed lands including: Butternut, Eastern Flowering Dogwood, and Canada Warbler. Volunteers and staff monitor these species, share results with other agencies, and develop policies to aid in their protection. 6) Letting things be Beyond the Trail corridor, the BTC does not clear away naturally occurring logs, leaves, branches, stumps or dead trees. As long as they do not pose a safety risk, these things are left to provide habitat for wildlife, and rich organic material for decomposition. 7) Teamwork BTC s Land Stewardship program is a collaboration of 175 volunteers and 2 BTC staff. You can help. Find out more at brucetrail.org/pages/land-conservation/landstewardship 19 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 20

12 Common Escarpment Trees Nearly 100 tree species can be found in the forest regions of southern Ontario. To follow are a few of the more common native ones you may encounter on a hike along the Bruce Trail. Although not a complete or comprehensive guide, we hope this will help you get to know some of your treed neighbours. Deciduous Trees Deciduous Carolinian Trees Coniferous Trees 21 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 22

13 Helpful Tree Characteristics To identify a tree, it helps to understand a few tree characteristics. Compound Leaves Simple Leaves Oppositely arranged Alternately arranged Lobed Leaves Toothed Leaves Clustered Needles Single Needles Scale-like Needles 23 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 24

14 American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) Leaf: Simple leaf with straight parallel veins ending in a single tooth. Bluish-green on top with a lighter shade underneath arranged alternately along the twig. Leaves become pale and papery in the autumn remaining on the tree well into the winter months. Bark: Thin, smooth, bluish-grey with whitish mottles sometimes present. Often said to resemble an elephant s leg. Flowers and fruits: Male flower are greenish-yellow clusters on long stalks. Female flowers are similar but only found in leaf axils of the leaves. Fruits consist of a reddish-brown, four-parted, bristly husk which contains a three-sided pyramid-shaped nut. Habitat: Occurs on moist, well-drained slopes and interior forests where it grows readily in the shade. Associated species: Sugar Maple, Yellow Birch, Eastern Hemlock, Trilliums, Blue Cohosh, Jack in the Pulpit. 25 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 26

15 Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) Leaf: Compound; short-stalked leaflets on a central stalk. Leaflets are oval with a sharp tip and toothed edges. Terminal leaflet often missing or much smaller than the others. Leaves have a strong odour when crushed. Bark: Young bark is light brown and scaly maturing into a dark brown deeply-furrowed bark with intersecting ridges. Flowers and fruit: Male flowers on long drooping catkins and green in colour. Female flowers are erect yellowish-green clusters. Fruit is a grooved nut surrounded by a round, thick, green husk. Habitat: Well-drained, fertile soils in lowland areas, stream and riverbanks and floodplains. Associated species: Red Maple, White Elm, Butternut, Wild Leek, Riverbank Grape, Spotted Touch-me-Not, Sensitive Fern. 27 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 28

16 Butternut (Juglans cinerea) Leaf: Compound; leaflets on a central stalk. Leaflets are oval, toothed, yellowish-green in colour with a rough upper surface and densely hairy beneath. Terminal leaflet is similar in size to the others. (Compare with Black Walnut) Bark: Bark is smooth and light grey with whitish lines when young. Becomes grey with shallow groves and intersecting flat-topped ridges. Flowers and fruit: Male flowers are long, green, drooping catkins. Female flowers are pinkish-red erect clusters. Fruit is an oval nut with jagged ridges surrounded by a green oval husk covered in sticky hairs. Habitat: Prefers well drained, dry rocky soils on gradual slopes and shallow valleys. Very shade-intolerant so also grows in open fields and forest edges. Associated species: Basswood, Black Cherry, Sugar Maple, Yellow Birch, Black Walnut, grasses. 29 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 30

17 Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) Leaf: Lobed; Alternately arranged along the twig with several deep lobes ending in bristly teeth. Dark green upper surface and paler underside. Bark: Smooth and dark grey when young. Mature bark has wide shallow furrows with pale grey ridges. Flowers and fruit: Female flowers are red spikes in the leaf axils and male flowers are greenish-yellow catkins hanging down from the twigs before the leaves emerge. Fruit is an acorn a nut nestled into a cup-shaped, thin-scaled saucer. Habitat: Moist, fertile soils in interior forests, edges and fencerows. Associated species: White Oak, ashes, hickories, Squawroot, Eastern Bracken Fern, White Pine, Starflower. 31 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 32

18 Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) Leaf: Familiar leaf profiled on the Canadian flag. 5 pointed lobes with irregular wavy teeth arranged oppositely along the twig. Green in colour; turning a brilliant yellow, orange or red in the autumn. Bark: Smooth and grey when young becoming dark grey with long, vertical, irregular ridges which curl outward from the trunk. Flowers and fruits: Small, petal-less, greenish-yellow flowers on long, drooping stalks forming clusters among the emerging leaves in Spring. Fruits in drooping clusters of paired plump seedcases with extended wings often referred to as keys. Habitat: Grows in a variety of areas but prefer deep, fertile, welldrained soils in interior forests, edges, slopes and open gaps. Associated species: American Beech, ashes, White Trillium, violets, hazels, Wild Ginger, Trout Lily, Blue Cohosh, Wild Sarsaparilla. 33 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 34

19 Trembling Aspen (Populus tremuloides) Leaf: Broad and heart-shaped with a fine toothed edge on long stalks. Upper surface is green with a pale, whitish colour beneath. Bottom of the leaf is rounded and the tip is small and pointed. Bark: Smooth and pale green to white with a waxy appearance when young; turning grey and furrowed with age. Bark tends to be more furrowed at the base of the tree and smoother as it ascends up to the canopy. Flowers and fruit: Long (5-10 cm), light green, hanging catkins which produce small oval seeds. Habitat: Moist, well drained soils in forest openings, ridges, lowlands and disturbed sites. Associated species: White Birch, Balsam Poplar, Balsam Fir, White Spruce, Chokecherry, Mountain Maple, sedges, Bunchberry. 35 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 36

20 White Ash (Fraxinus americana) Leaf: Compound; 5-9 oval leaflets on a central stalk with smooth edges or infrequent rounded teeth. Upper surface is a dark green with the underside being much paler. Bark: Young bark is light grey and smooth; becomes deeply furrowed with intersecting ridges producing a diamond pattern. Flowers and fruit: Small tufts of purple flowers emerge before the leaves in the spring. Fruit is a seedcase with a wing emerging from the tip. These hang off the tree in clusters. Habitat: Prefers deep, well-drained soils in interior forests. Associated species: Sugar Maple, Blue Cohosh, Red Elderberry, Alternate-leaved Dogwood, Wild Leek. 37 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 38

21 White Birch (Betula papyrifera) Leaf: Oval or triangular in shape, dull green with a lighter underside and a multi-toothed edge. Bark: Young bark smooth and reddish-brown with distinct narrow lines called lenticels. Mature bark becoming white and often shedding from the tree in large sheets. Flowers and fruits: Both male and female flowers are yellowishgreen catkins with the males being 9 cm in length hanging from the twigs and the smaller females (1-3 cm) standing upright from the leaf axils. Very small nutlets or scales (1-3 mm) are produced and spread by the wind. Habitat: Grows in a wide variety of soils on forest edges, forest openings, lakesides, disturbed sites and ridges. Associated species: Red Maple, aspens, poplars, White Spruce, Red Osier Dogwood, Bunchberry, Fragrant Bedstraw. 39 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 40

22 White Oak (Quercus alba) Leaf: Lobed; Alternately arranged along the twig with several deep lobes ending in smooth, blunt ends with a dark green upper surface and paler underside. Bark: Pale grey with a reddish tinge and narrow, scaly ridges broken into rectangular sections. Flowers and fruit: Male flowers are clustered on long, drooping stalks and are yellowish-green in colour. Female flowers are reddish spikes in the leaf axils. Fruit is an acorn a nut nestled in a cup-shaped, thick-scaled saucer. Habitat: Grows in a variety of soils in interior forests, forest gaps, edges and fence rows. Associated species: Red Oak, hickories, Black Cherry, White Ash, White Pine, Wintergreen, Starflower. 41 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 42

23 Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) Leaf: Has 3 variable leaf shapes: 3 lobes, 2 lobes resembling a mitten, or a simple leaf with no lobes. Alternating up the twig, they are smooth and dark green in colour and give off a citrus-like scent when crushed. Bark: Brown, rough and corky when young. Dark brown with deep grooves and corky ridges when mature. Flowers and fruits: Small, greenish-yellow, multi-petaled flowers which produce dark blue berries on a long red stalk. Habitat: An uncommon tree in Ontario, they prefer nutrient-rich soils in forest openings or edges and can grow in shade or sun. Carolinian species. Associated species: Black Cherry, oaks, cottonwoods, Ironwood, American Beech. 43 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 44

24 Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata) Leaf: Compound; 5 finely-toothed, yellowish-green leaflets on a central stalk. Terminal leaflet is often larger than the others. Bark: Dark grey and rough separating into loose plates or strips giving the tree a shaggy look. Flowers and fruits: Female flowers small and green; Male flowers form long, cylindrical clusters or catkins which hang from the twigs. Fruit is a round, thick husk which splits into 4 pieces revealing a hard nut. Habitat: Rich, moist soils in interior forests and edges. Carolinian species. Associated species: Bitternut Hickory, Sugar Maple, Blue Beech, oaks, Wild Geranium. 45 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 46

25 Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) Leaf: Lobed; Distinctive shape resembling a Tulip flower. Alternating growth pattern along the twig. Leaves are smooth and dark green with prominent centre vein. Bark: Young bark is smooth and dark green with whitish spots. Mature bark is brown with deep intersecting ridges or grooves. Flowers and seed: Large showy flowers greenish-yellow in colour which also resemble a Tulip flower. Fruits are large (3-5 cm) cone shaped pods. Habitat: A southern tree which occur in deep, rich, moist soils along streams and swampy areas where it enjoys full sun. Often planted as an ornamental or along urban streets. Carolinian species. Associated species: Eastern Hemlock, Red Maple, oaks, hickories. 47 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 48

26 Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) Leaf: Single needles; Flat; 2-3 cm long, rounded, shiny green above with 2 white lines of dots underneath. Needles often curve upwards and have a strong odour when crushed. Bark: Grey and smooth when young with raised resin-filled blisters. With age, the bark roughens and develops irregular brownish scales. Flowers and fruits: Seed cones form into erect clusters of 5-10 cm long, greyish-brown/purple cones with tight scales that ooze resin. Habitat: Prefer moist lowland forests or sandy uplands but can also be found in a variety of other sites as the tree is very adaptable. Associated species: White Birch, Black Spruce, Trembling Aspen, White Spruce, Eastern Hemlock. 49 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 50

27 Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) Leaf: Single needles; Flat; 1-2 cm, tapered, shiny green, organized in 2 rows on the central stem giving the branch a flattened look. Undersides of needles have 2 distinct white lines of dots. Bark: Young bark greyish and scaly. Matures to a deeply-furrowed, brown surface with flat-topped ridges. Flowers and fruit: Seed cones are oval, small and purplish-brown with thin, roundish scales. Habitat: Prefers cool, moist, shady sites on a variety of soils or rocky locations and often found on north-facing slopes or ravines. Associated species: Yellow Birch, White Pine, White Spruce, Sugar Maple, ferns. 51 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 52

28 Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) Leaf: Scale-like, flattened needles; Yellowish-green and waxy. Bark: Smooth, shiny and reddish-brown when young. Turning grey with long, narrow strips when mature. Flowers and fruits: Seed cones are small and green in clusters of 5 or 6 pairs at the tips of the branches. Turn brown when ripe and are then shed from the twigs. Habitat: Occur mainly in swampy areas and dry soils over limestone bedrock. Also able to grow in harsh areas such as talus slopes and open cliffs. Associated species: Black Ash, White Birch, White Spruce, Yellow Birch, ferns, Rattlesnake plantains, Coralroots. 53 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 54

29 Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) Leaf: Clustered needles in bundles of 5. Bluish-green needles are 5-15 cm long, slender, straight and flexible. Can be wrapped around finger without breaking. Bark: Smooth and greyish-green when young. Dark grey/brown with deep furrows, broken up by broad scaly ridges when mature. Flowers and fruit: Seed cones are supported by a long stalk and are cylindrical and long (8-20 cm) with a green to light brown colour and numerous round tipped scales along the length. Habitat: Occurs on a variety of sites from dry, sandy soils, lakeshores and islands to rocky ground. Fast growing and thrive in the sunlight. Associated species: Red Pine, Hemlock, Red Osier Dogwood, White Spruce, Wild Lily-of-the-Valley. 55 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 56

30 White Spruce (Picea glauca) Leaf: Single needles; 4-sided (individual needles will roll between your fingers); 2-3 cm long, 4-sided, green in colour occasionally with a bluish tint and curve inwards towards the tip of the branch. Bark: Smooth and light grey when young; dark grey and scaly in older trees. Flowers and fruit: Seed cones are slender, cylindrical and 3-6 cm in length. Flexible scales are light brown, thin and close together on the cone. Habitat: Common in northern forests and occur on a wide variety of soils and sites. Associated species: Balsam Fir, aspens, White Birch, pines, Beaked Hazel, Chokecherry, Red Osier Dogwood. 57 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 58

31 Heritage Tree Scavenger Hunt We ve identified 16 amazing trees and groves along the Bruce Trail. Can you find one on your next hike? From a White Ash that s over 230 years old to a Beech tree whose bark bears the carvings from a WWII soldier, these are trees or groves of trees that are particularly remarkable for their size, age, species, or for the story they tell. Each of these trees are along the Trail, only a short distance (<4 km) from a trail access point. At each tree you ll find a sign with a code word. Record that code word and submit it to forests@brucetrail.org along with your name and the name of the tree to take part in the Heritage Tree Scavenger Hunt. Find out more about these fantastic trees and how to visit them at brucetrail.org/pages/scavenger-hunt 59 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 60

32 Resources The Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC) PO Box 857, Hamilton, ON L8N 3N brucetrail.org Ontario Power Generation (OPG) Biodiversity Program opgbiodiversity.ca Support The Bruce Trail Conservancy by: Becoming a member Volunteering Donating Help support our mission to secure a conservation corridor containing a public footpath along the Niagara Escarpment. Books: Trees in Canada by J.L. Farrar Ontario s Old-Growth Forests by Michael Henry & Peter Quinby Trees of the Carolinian Forest: A Guide to Species, Their Ecology and Uses by Gerry Waldron The Last Stand: A Journey Through the Ancient Cliff-Face Forest of the Niagara Escarpment by Peter E. Kelly, Douglas W. Larson Websites: Ontario Trees & Shrubs ontariotrees.com Carolinian Canada carolinian.org Ontario Forests (MNR) mnr.gov.on.ca/en/business/forests U.N. International Year of Forests un.org/en/events/iyof2011/ (These links are active at time of publication.) OPG Biodiversity is a series of conservation-focused, familyfriendly events sponsored by Ontario Power Generation in partnership with Ontario Nature, the Bruce Trail Conservancy, Earth Rangers, LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests), Rouge Park and Trees Ontario. Its goal is to spread the word about protecting and conserving biodiversity in our urban parklands and forest ecosystems, making it easy for people to get involved with the environment and help fight climate change. OPG Biodiversity is part of OPG s commitment to conserve, sustain and protect nature. For further information on these and other upcoming events, visit opgbiodiversity.ca. Photo credits: From Bugwood.org: Joseph O'Brien, USDA Forest Service; Bill Cook, Michigan State University; Franklin Bonner, USFS; Paul Wray, Iowa State University; Keith Kanoti, Maine Forest Service; Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne; Chris Evans, River to River CWMA; Pennsylvania Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources. And: Bruce Martin; Doug McAbee; Kelly Colgan Azar; Sheri Amsel, exploringnature.org; Florida Centre for Instructional Technology; Geneva Wirth; Daniel Wilson; Tamas Mozer; Angela Larsen; Michael McDonald. All other photographs are in the public domain or are courtesy of the BTC. 61 Exploring the Forests of the Niagara Escarpment 62

33 Visit brucetrail.org to download this booklet and share with your friends. Produced by The Bruce Trail Conservancy with the proud support of its partner Ontario Power Generation as a companion to the Escarpment Forest Hike Series The Bruce Trail Conservancy