About

Perched upon the rolling Wyoming Moraine not far inland from Lake Huron, lies the George G. Newton Nature Reserve.

Previously a farm, the property was bequeathed to Ontario Nature in 1982 by Elizabeth G. Osbaldeston, a descendant of the pioneering Huron County conservationist for whom the nature reserve is named. Mrs. Osbaldeston made a generous donation to help with the future care of the nature reserve.

Silver spotted skipper butterfly © Shane Hesch

Plants and Animals

The river valley and slopes are mostly covered with a native stand of white cedar and mature forest of maple, beech, hemlock, elm, ash, butternut and other hardwoods. Visiting in the Spring and Summer, the nature reserve offers a forest and ravine walk dotted with wildflowers – including trilliums, may-apples, black cohosh, and scarlet beebalm. With any luck you may hear the elusive yellow-breasted chat or see a Cooper’s hawk through the trees.

An old barn foundation is still visible along the trail, while other evidence of the property’s agricultural past is being reclaimed by nature, except for a few remnant plants which escaped from the former homestead gardens. Older trees – like the large catalpa at the entrance of the nature reserve – are remnants of the homestead. Fencerows are much larger and older than much of the rest of the forest. A portion of the property includes a mature pine plantation, a common restoration technique used in the mid-20th century to reclaim farmland. The pine plantation is slowly giving way to hardwoods.

Stewardship

In 1996, the Huron Fringe Field Naturalists became the official stewards of the nature reserve. They are integral in maintaining trails and protecting the natural heritage of the property.

“We enjoy being stewards because we feel we can make a difference protecting a small area from invasive species. With the guidance from the Nature Reserves, we’re trying to create a little oasis of natural habitat.” – Jim & Christine Roberts, George G. Newton Stewards

You can read about their important contributions towards conservation in our award-winning magazine, ON Nature.

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

G.G. Newton Nature Reserve © Keeva Fitzpatrick

Visiting

We’ve improved our trails to increase safety and reduce erosion! Visit the 2-kilometre loop trail and wind your way through forested ravines and pine plantation. Please stay on the marked trails toavoid damaging sensitive habitat.

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. 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.

Directions

The nature reserve lies southeast of Goderich, between Highways 8 and 21. From the hamlet of Holmesville, take Cut Line Road west to Porter’s Hill (marked by a red schoolhouse on a hill). Turn north on Porter’s Hill Line (also called the 6th Concession) and proceed to the next intersection. The nature reserve is on the southeast corner of this crossroads. Turn east onto Kitchigami Road and park along the south side of the road. The property is marked by a sign and civic address marker number 35913, approximately 60 metres to the east of the intersection and can be found on Google Maps.

View George G. Newton Nature Reserve in a larger map

Black cohosh flowers, G.G. Newton Nature Reserve © Keeva Fitzpatrick

Fringed loosestrife © Noah Cole

“Being stewards for Ontario Nature gives us the opportunity, beyond financial support, to be actively involved in conserving and protecting nature through our time and effort. The Nature Reserves staff are great to work with and we’re continually learning from them.”

– Jim and Christine Roberts, George G. Newton stewards