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Altberg Wildlife Sanctuary

The property straddles the contact between the granitic rocks of the Canadian Shield and the limestone of the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence forest.

Wetland, Altberg Wildlife Sanctuary © Dan Bone

About

The largest nature reserve in Ontario Nature’s reserve system, the Altberg Wildlife Sanctuary Nature Reserve encompasses 480 hectares (1,186 acres) of central Ontario woodland and wetland.

The sanctuary straddles the contact between the granitic rocks of the Canadian Shield and the limestone of the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence forest. The property exhibits a great diversity of community types due to its topographic variability and hosts our largest trail network.

Spring forest, Altberg Wildlife Sanctuary Nature Reserve © Eric Davis

Stewardship

In 2007, the Kawartha Field Naturalists became the official stewards of the nature reserve. They are integral in maintaining trails and monitoring species.

If you are interested in assisting or joining the club, please email contactus@kawarthafieldnaturalists.org.

To learn more about volunteering as a nature reserve steward, please see our Volunteer as a Steward page.

Trail opening, moss hike © Smera Sukumar

Characteristics

The property exhibits a great diversity of community types due to its topographic variability, as well as its position on the edge of two major geologic formations. The granitic Shield areas have rolling topography, punctuated by pockets of open marsh, beaver meadow and cedar and alder swamp. These wetland areas are fed by Corben Creek, which runs through the southeastern areas of the property and eventually empties into Four Mile Lake.

In the north and western limestone sections, the level topography is blanketed with sugar maple and ironwood, with areas of old field regeneration and pine plantation. The northern areas of the nature reserve were once a refuge for Rudolf Altberg, the former landowner of the northern section of the Altberg Wildlife Sanctuary Nature Reserve. On the side of a granite boulder overlooking the pond is a beautifully engraved metal plaque in commemoration of Mr. Altberg’s generous donation of the 101-hectare northern portion of the property to Ontario Nature in 1983.

Eastern red-backed salamander, Altberg Wildlife Sanctuary Nature Reserve

Plants and Animals

The Altberg Wildlife Sanctuary Nature Reserve provides habitat for numerous species that depend on large tracts of contiguous natural cover. Red-shouldered hawks are frequently seen and have been known to nest on the property. In the summer, the forest and forest edges reverberate with the songs of breeding birds such as the hermit thrush, veery, least flycatcher, ovenbird and a wealth of other warblers: black-and-white, yellow-rumped, black-throated green, black-throated blue and chestnut-sided warbler.

Golden-winged warblers, field sparrows and ruby-throated hummingbirds frequent more open habitats. Signs of deer, moose, beaver and other mammals await the observant naturalist. Moccasin flower, showy lady’s slipper and northern beech fern are amongst the many interesting plants.

Painted trillium © Anne Barbour

“Altberg is a mosaic of habitat and soil types. You get northern species, southern species and species that specialize in this area.”

– Nature Reserves Staff

Altberg Wildlife Sanctuary © Noah Cole

Visiting

The 3.3-kilometre marked trail system can be accessed from the parking area. Please stay on the marked trails and obey the signs posted at the property entrance. The trail system will lead visitors through deciduous and mixed forest, where vernal pools and showy plants such as painted trillium can be viewed from the trail. Please stay on the marked trails and obey the signs posted at the nature reserve entrance.

We do not charge a fee for entrance and there are no operating hours on any of our nature reserves. Properties are monitored by volunteer stewards. We rely on visitors to be safe, minimize their impact on nature and be respectful of others. Please do not bring pets, dogs are not allowed in this property. For more information about visiting the nature reserves, please read our Permitted Activities Policy.

We welcome donations to support this nature reserve and our system of 26 nature reserves.

View the trail map here.

Altberg Nature Reserve

Directions

From the south, take Highway 35/115 north from Highway 401 to Lindsay and continue north past Fenelon Falls and Coboconk to Norland. At Norland, turn east on City Road 45 and continue for approximately 10 kilometres.

The property is on the south side of the road just past Woodcock Line and a cleared farm area, at civic address marker 4164. A gravel parking area marks the entrance to the property.

View Altberg Wildlife Sanctuary Nature Reserve in a larger map.

Spotted salamander © Ian Choi

Vernal Pool, Altberg Wildlife Sanctuary © Noah Cole

Altberg Wildlife Sanctuary

Special Notice

As of June 5 2023, dogs are not permitted at Altberg Wildlife Sanctuary Nature Reserve. Guide dogs or other service animals are allowed. You can learn more about these changes here.

If you have any questions, please call 1-800-440-2366 or email info@ontarionature.org.