Paddling Gananoque Lake © Caroline Schultz
About
The Gananoque Lake Nature Reserve is a remarkable property that officially became our 26th nature reserve in February of 2020. The reserve is located in eastern Ontario within the Frontenac Arch – a geological wonder that supports some of Canada’s richest biodiversity and is home to many species at risk. This landform is part of a natural habitat corridor that allows wildlife to migrate between the mountains of Adirondack State Park in New York and Algonquin Park in Ontario, some 400 kilometres away.
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, this reserve is Ontario Nature’s second in the Frontenac Arch.
Ontario Nature was able to permanently protect this 147-hectare (362-acre) property thanks to the generous contributions from our members and supporters. Thanks to you, 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. The endangered butternut 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 25 species at risk have been recorded in the immediate area. These include the cerulean warbler which lives and breeds in mature hardwood forest, and western chorus frog and the Blanding’s turtle, both of which depend on wetlands along the shore of the lake.
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. Management planning for the property will determine appropriate access for visitors.
If you have any questions, please contact Ontario Nature at
416-444-8419.
Beaver © Missy Mandel
Blanding's turtle © Scott Gillingwater
Thank you to each of our determined members and supporters who helped protect this biodiverse property. Ontario Nature gratefully recognizes the following funders for their support:
P.S.
If you haven’t yet contributed, we invite you to be a part of this exciting project! Your gift will go towards the stewardship of this unique habitat and protecting the abundance of rare and at-risk species that depend on it.
You can give online or by calling 1-800-440-2366 ext. 233.
Algonquin moose © Matt Duncan Photography