Thickson's Woods Nature Reserve
About
Right now, we have an amazing opportunity to safeguard a biodiverse, transit-accessible and urban nature reserve at Thickson’s Woods in Whitby—and protect this treasured property forever!
Thickson’s Woods is a rare gem: a migratory bird stopover and beloved urban green space. Land like this is exceedingly scarce and nearly impossible to find anywhere else in the Greater Toronto Area.
Read more stories about Thickson’s Woods and the people behind them.
Mayapples, Thickson's Woods Nature Reserve © Lois Gillette
Vulnerable Habitat
This 10-hectare birding hotspot is an oasis packed with biodiversity, supporting 75 rare and at-risk species, and is the last remnant of old-growth white pines on the north shore of Lake Ontario. It consists of rich and diverse habitats including mixed forest, open meadow, a provincially significant wetland and 400 metres of Lake Ontario shoreline.
It’s a vital ecological corridor that needs permanent protection and dedicated stewardship, after being safeguarded by Thickson’s Woods Land Trust for decades. Ontario Nature is grateful to Thickson’s Woods Land Trust for this gift of land. Now we need to do our part to manage and steward the land.
Monarch butterflies roosting, Thickson's Woods Nature Reserve © Dan Shire
Protect Your Share
Not only will your gift help safeguard Thickson’s Woods in perpetuity, but it will also help with vital and ongoing research, monitoring, stewardship and other on-the-ground conservation projects.
We’ve already identified another remarkable property to acquire, an 18-acre parcel adjacent to our Lost Bay Nature Reserve in the globally significant Frontenac Arch. This land supports 33 rare and at-risk species including cerulean warbler, Blanding’s turtle, butternut and eastern whip-poor-will, and is at risk of being lost if we can’t act quickly. Opportunities like this are rare and time sensitive. Your support of Ontario Nature provides the funds to take urgent action when conservation opportunities like this arise.
Birdwatching guided hike, Thickson's Woods Nature Reserve © Kirsten Dahl
How You Can Help
Ontario Nature urgently needs your support to raise $600,000 to secure permanent protection for Thickson’s Woods and to expand Lost Bay Nature Reserve. Your gift will also be used for future land acquisition projects, and to support ongoing bird conservation and stewardship work across the province.
Double Your Impact! — When you give today, your gift will go even further. Thanks to a generous match from Ontario Conservation Accelerator, every gift made up to $25,000 will be matched dollar-for-dollar.
To learn more, contact Lisa Kamenar at 416-444-8419 ext. 233 or lisak@ontarionature.org.
Cape May warbler, Thickson's Woods Nature Reserve © Lois Gillette