Altberg Wetland Nature Reserve

From the southwest end of South Bay on Balsam Lake, a large wetland complex spreads up the valleys of two creeks. This mosaic of swamp forest and marsh forms a Provincially Significant Wetland, a part of which is protected within the Altberg Wetland Nature Reserve.

Leopard Frog

The reserve is nestled in a gently rolling plain, just south and west of the Kawartha Lakes and the Trent Canal system. Within the reserve's 39 hectares are large areas of swamp forest and open marsh. At the property's north and south ends, adjacent to the road, are fields through which access can be gained to the reserve. No inventories have been undertaken, so please keep track of noteworthy sightings and send them to the attention of the Stewardship Coordinator at info@ontarionature.org.

Rudolph Altberg donated the property to the Federation as a wildlife sanctuary. No trails or boardwalks have been developed.

In 2007, the Kawartha Field Naturalists became the official stewards of the Altberg Wetland Nature Reserve.

How to get there

From Fenelon Falls take Hwy. 35 west to Victoria County Rd. 8 (aka Glenarm Rd.). Continue west on the county road to the hamlet of Glenarm. At Glenarm, turn north on Victoria County Rd. 35. The reserve is on the east side of the road, about 3 kilometres north of the first road on the west side. Gates at both the north and south ends of the property provide access via fields.