On April 14, 2004, brothers Bill and Jack Balkwill notified the Canada South Land Trust (CSLT) indicating their wish to donate a conservation easement on their forty acre woodland, a two acre pond and prairie restoration site and farm laneway with old growth Sugar Maples, situated on their farm in the Town of Kingsville, Essex County. At their regular monthly meeting on May 6, 2004, CSLT executive members passed a resolution to enter into negotiations with the Balkwill brothers on this first donated conservation easement for this newly established land trust.
The 149 acre farm on which the Balkwill brothers live is one on which the Balkwills have lived all their lives, following its purchase in the 1920's by their father. Bill Balkwill began studying the trees in the woodlot in the 1970's, undertaking active management of the woodlot which is praised by local forester Casey Cothurst. The Balkwills have welcomed members of the Essex County Field Naturalists' Club and Essex County Woodlot Owners Association over the years for walks and activities such as night viewing of insects, consequently their woodland is well known in the community.
A guided woodland walk was held May 16, 2004 during which walk participants enjoyed a visit to a wet-mesic oak forest with it mature White Oak, Red Oak, Bur Oak and Black Oak. Other species include Red Maple, Beech, Shagbark Hickory, Big Shellbark Hickory, White Ash and Red Ash. The lowest and wettest section supports Pin Oak, Swamp White Oak, Shumard Oak and Pumpkin Ash.
The Southern Flying Squirrel is a resident in this woodland. Birds which have breed here include Red-breasted Grosbeak, Red-eyed Vireo, Wood Thrush, Eastern Peewee and Orchard Oriole. Please refer to the list of bird species prepared by Bill Balkwill which appears in this newsletter. The Eastern Fox Snake is a resident of the woodland, a single large individual seen by volunteers on May 12, 2004 while on a walk in the woodland while preparing for the May 16, 2004 guided walk.
The early spring floral display in the woodland is splendid with its carpet of Trout Lilies and Spring Beauties. Trout lilies are found in three colour morphs - the traditional yellow, yellow tinged with crimson and cream. Rare flora include Alum-root, Small-flowered Agrimony, Spring Avens and Prairie Rose.
As of June 1, 2004, discussions are underway between the Canada South Land Trust, the Balkwills and lawyer Paul Peterson who has skills in the negotiation and writing of conservation easements. This document to be registered on title will ensure that the Balkwill property will be preserved in perpetuity according to a management plan that is agreeable to all parties.
The Essex County Field Naturalists' Club has kindly contributed to the work of the Canada South Land Trust with a donation of $4,100.00. This generous donation will pay the fees of a professional forester and those of lawyers related to writing a woodlot management plan and conservation easement document.