Welcome

Welcome to the St. Williams Conservation Reserve!

The St. Williams Conservation Reserve is a 1035 hectare area of Crown land located in Norfolk County, Ontario comprised of two separate locations – the Nursery Tract and the Turkey Point Tract – within the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve.

The St. Williams Conservation Reserve was the site of Ontario’s first provincial Forest Station, which was in operation from 1908-1998. This first forest station played a major role in the environmental conservation and soil stabilization efforts in Southern Ontario in the 20th Century.

One of the largest blocks of forest in the Carolinian Life Zone of Southern Ontario, the St. Williams Conservation Reserve is recognized regionally, provincially and nationally as being important to the conservation of biological diversity and natural heritage, especially that of the oak savanna and prairie communities.

The St. Williams Conservation Reserve Community Council is a community-based organization, comprised of knowledgeable individuals who represent interests with respect to the St. Williams Conservation Reserve. The Council plays an integral role in the management of the Conservation Reserve, in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, focused on protecting and enhancing cultural, historic and natural heritage values.

Assistance for this project was provided by the Government of Ontario