About

The Gananoque Lake Nature Reserve is a remarkable property that officially became our 26th nature reserve in February of 2020. The property is in eastern Ontario within the Frontenac Arch – a geological wonder that supports some of Canada’s richest biodiversity and many species at risk. This landform is part of a natural habitat corridor that allows wildlife to migrate about 400 kilometres between the mountains of Adirondack State Park in New York and Algonquin Park in Ontario.

For these reasons and many more, the Frontenac Arch is a high-priority area for habitat protection. Located a short distance from our Lost Bay Nature Reserve, it is Ontario Nature’s second property on the Frontenac Arch.

In 2024, our community came together once again to support the acquisition of an adjacent 58-acre property. This previous landowner, Dr. Stephen Yates is the volunteer steward for the nature reserve. The nature reserve expansion protects more intact natural habitat, featuring deciduous and mixed forests, treed swamps, open rock barren outcrops, wetlands, thicket swamp and shoreline along Gananoque Lake.

Ontario Nature was able to permanently protect this 168-hectare (416-acre) property thanks to generous contributions from our members and supporters. Thanks to them, the rich biological diversity of this property’s upland hardwood forest and 173 acres of Provincially-Significant Wetland will be protected forever.

Cerulean warbler © CC_BY_2.0_Mdf

Plants and Animals

Large towering hickory, oak, elm and maple trees fill the canopy of this mature hardwood forest. The songs of cerulean warbler, eastern wood-pewee and scarlet tanager can be heard resounding through the trees. Endangered butternut trees flourish on the property, taking advantage of moist, rich and well-drained soils.

Wetlands are located throughout the property and along Gananoque Lake. They are dominated by cattails, pickerel weed and water lilies. Lush submergent vegetation fills the lake, creating habitat for fish, frogs and turtles that can be easily spotted while canoeing through the clear and calm waters.

More than 18 species at risk and 20 rare species have been recorded in the immediate area. These include the cerulean warbler which lives and breeds in mature hardwood forests, western chorus frog and several at-risk reptiles including the gray ratsnake.

Gananoque Lake © Caroline Schultz

Stewardship

The Gananoque Lake Nature Reserve is currently stewarded by dedicated local landowners.

We are looking for additional stewards to join Gananoque Lake Nature Reserve’s stewardship team. To learn more, please visit our Volunteer Stewardship webpage.

Closed bottle gentian, Gananoque Lake Nature Reserve © Jakob Mueller

“The forest has impressive specimens of red and white oak, as well as distinctly southern components such as shagbark hickory and American bladdernut. The open-water marsh features many species of submerged aquatic plants, from false mermaidweed to wild rice.”

– Caroline Schultz, Executive Director

Gananoque Lake © Caroline Schultz

Visiting

The Gananoque Lake Nature Reserve is not accessible at this time as there are currently no trails on the property. Visitors are welcome to view the property by boat, kayak or canoe.

If you have any questions, please contact Ontario Nature at
416-444-8419.

Email Ontario Nature

Virginia creeper sphinx moth, Gananoque Lake Nature Reserve © Diane LePage