Cawthra Mulock Nature Reserve

Regenerating fields at the Cawthra Mulock Nature Reserve are ablaze with colour in the fall.

Located just north of the Oak Ridges Moraine, the Cawthra Mulock Nature Reserve’s rolling hills and forested ridges are a refuge for wildlife.

Donated to Ontario Nature in 2003, the Cawthra Mulock Nature Reserve is a valuable contribution towards the conservation of nature. Julyan Mulock and the Cawthra Mulock Foundation generously donated the 108-hectare property, ensuring that the land would be protected in perpetuity.

Located just north of Newmarket, the property is a valuable green space in a highly developed area of Ontario. It is identified as being a key natural area in the York Region Greening Strategy. The Cawthra Mulock Nature Reserve also falls within the context of the Ontario government’s new Greenbelt system.

Surrounded by intense agricultural and urban development, the Cawthra Mulock Nature Reserve provides refuge to a variety of wildlife. The most notable feature of this property is the diversity of habitats it encompasses. The property hosts a large tract of mature hardwood and mixed forests. Enormous beech trees rub shoulders with tall maples and hemlock. A small wetland area, dominated by birch trees and larch, is part of the larger Ansnorveldt wetland complex. Located in the West Holland River watershed, the property boasts two creeks. White-tailed deer, Red Fox, Great Blue Herons, Red-tailed Hawks and Great-Horned Owls are just a few of the residents that call this nature reserve home.

During the 31 years that the Mulocks lived on the property, they made a number of contributions towards its naturalization. Over 10,000 pines were planted in the old fields. Many of the old fields were allowed to regenerate naturally and are now important habitat for a variety of sparrows and other meadow birds.

In 2007, the York-Simcoe Field Naturalists’ Club became the official stewards of the Cawthra Mulock Nature Reserve and are actively assisting with restoration, monitoring and access improvement projects on the property.

There is an existing system of footpaths throughout the property, and Ontario Nature is in the process of establishing a formal trail network. Visitors are invited to walk the property using the existing footpaths.

How to get there

From the south, take Hwy 404 north to Green Lane. Turn left (west) onto Green Lane and keep going until Bathurst Street. Turn right (north) onto Bathurst Street. The nature reserve is the second driveway on the left (west) side of the road and is marked by a green Ontario Nature sign. Continue down the driveway past the white house (please respect the privacy of the tenants). You may park in front of the larger house at the end of the driveway in order to access the existing trails.