About Us

About The St. Williams Conservation Reserve

The St. Williams Conservation Reserve spans 1,035 hectares of Crown land in Norfolk County, Ontario across two distinct areas: the Zavitz Nursery Tract in St. Williams and the White Turkey Point Tract in Turkey Point.
Designated as a conservation reserve in 2004 for its significant natural and cultural value, it is regulated under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006.

The St Williams Conservation Reserve Community Council is a non-profit organization formed by local volunteers, who make up the board of Directors. Established to be a public voice to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, the council works to advance the goals outlined in the Management Plan by implementing the Operations Plan.

As of 2020, the Community Council continues to ensure responsible habitat stewardship and promotion of biodiversity through active restoration efforts under the guidance of Ontario Parks.

Open to the public, the reserve offers opportunities for exploration and enjoyment, with activities carefully managed to ensure the protection of its unique natural heritage.

Board of Directors and Committees

Our volunteer Board of Directors brings a diverse range of skills, experience, and perspectives to guide the governance, management, and strategic direction of the St. Williams Conservation Reserve (SWCR) and its Community Council (SWCRCC).

Directors commit to attending monthly meetings and actively contribute their expertise through committee work, ensuring that governance and on-the-ground operations continue to move forward in a responsible manner.

While not everyone is drawn to the role of a director, serving on a committee is a meaningful way to support the SWCRCC.

If you are interested in becoming a director, volunteer, or wish to join a committe, please fill out this form.

Committees

Committees focus on a range of areas including:

Board of Directors Biographies

To share the unique backgrounds of our current Board of Directors, they were invited to either submit a brief personal bio or respond to three questions that highlight their connection to the SWCR. The three questions are:

Why did you join the St Williams Conservation Reserve Community Council (SWCRCC)?
What aspect of the SWCR resonates with you the most?
What is your favourite species (flora or fauna) that is found in the SWCR?

Chair – Adam Biddle

I joined the SWCRCC initially because of my interest in forest management. I really wanted to be involved in the ongoing restoration of the St. Williams Conservation Reserve. I find activities like forestry silviculture, prescribed burning, and invasive species control, ultimately influencing the habitat types that regenerate on the land, to be extremely interesting aspects of forestry and natural resource management.

The St. Williams Conservation Reserve has a long history involving forest management, including being some of the earliest examples of reforestation in Ontario after European settlement. Being part of the continued management of this land, especially now that management has a much broader consideration to the different ecosystems that were on the landscape prior to European settlement, is very interesting and rewarding. I am constantly learning about different aspects of habitat restoration and ecology through my participation on the SWCRCC.

I grew up less than 5 kilometers from the Zavitz Nursery Tract, and a short distance from the White Turkey Point Tract . I spent a lot of time in those forests as a youngster, completely oblivious to the uniqueness of the area. Similarly, when I started working in the forest industry as a student, I was involved in some of the management at the St. Williams Conservation Reserve, in activities like trail maintenance and monitoring efficacy of the Gypsy Moth control program of 2008.

Unknowingly at the time, I was developing an attachment to the properties simply through my experiences and the time I spent there. More than anything, I think I’ve really developed an appreciation for the long-standing history of these lands, from pre-European settlement, being cleared for timber products and agricultural production, to tree nursery production and reforestation, to the restoration of diverse natural ecosystems that is now ongoing. Knowing the history, and seeing the properties continue to evolve is educational and inspiring.

It’s probably because I am a tree guy, but I have an affinity for unique Carolinian tree species such as black gum and sassafras. With that said, I am constantly learning about other unique plants found within the SWCR and the connection between certain plant communities and the fauna that rely on them.

Vice Chair – Sue Graci

I joined the St. Williams Conservation Reserve Community Council because I’ve always loved nature and wanted to contribute in a meaningful way to preserving, conserving, or rehabilitating natural areas. Being part of the SWCRCC felt like a chance to make a real difference on the ground.

What resonates with me most about the SWCR is the opportunity to engage the public—especially through open houses and guided hikes with the project coordinator and council members. These events allow people to learn firsthand about the species at risk we’re working to protect and to simply reconnect with nature.

My favourite species found in the Reserve is the Jack-in-the-pulpit. They remind me of my grandmother’s garden and were one of my earliest connections to the magic of growing things. That memory has stayed with me ever since.

Treasurer – John de Witt

In defence of Board members that are reluctant to share personal questions; there was a time, long, long ago when the Board was a lightning rod catching the ire from local communities from the MNR closing the St Williams Forestry Station and creating a Conservation Reserve. Those Board members were accosted whenever they interacted with the public. They were caught between a rock and a hard place, acting as a mediator between the public and the MNR.

Paranoia and conspiracy theories sprung up like mushrooms, in the surrounding communities, exacerbating an already acrimonious situation. In part I joined the Board to help dispel the anxiety shared by the various groups on the Board, namely their access to the Conservation Reserve. Now the good news is we have a great Board who have the best interests of the flora and fauna in the reserve. They work hard to keep the public informed about the intricacies of managing a Conservation Reserve. And the local communities and various groups now trust the Board, a bit more, to maintain their access to the SWCRCC albeit with restrictions to protect habitat for the species at risk.

Sharing info about the benefits of creating proper habitat for species at risk and how we as a species need to learn how to co-exist with other flora and fauna species. Thereby creating a win-win situation.

No one item jumps out. It’s a combination of many things but if I’m forced to name one then it would be the Picetum During the 80s and 90s I was responsible for growing tree seedling for reforestation purposes. During that time, I supervised the growing of 750,000,000 reforestation tree seedlings, mainly black spruce (Picea marina). This spurred my interest in the Picetum on the Reserve. The history of the St Williams Forestry Station (first Forest tree seedling nursery in Canada established in 1908) is also of great interest.

Red headed woodpecker.

Officer – Dr. John Morrissey

John is relatively new to this area. He and his wife Claire Morrissey, Phd decided to leave the city in 2006 and began a search for a country property that would be a good place to live. They eventually found a small forest in Norfolk County and had a new home built in it by local contractors. He was not familiar with a Carolinian Forest, having grown up in a region of coniferous forests. His interest in joining the St. Williams Conservation reserve was to learn more about local forests and to be involved in community activities. His favourite trees are Walnut and Black Cherry.

John reports that he finds the work of the SWCRCC very important, since it not only provides good forest management, it provides significant recreational opportunities for the population. John’s background has been in clinical and business settings for many years and has considerable experience in management of boards of directors and other activities. He is also a member of the Norfolk Woodlot Owners Board of Directors and the board of Nature’s Calling Environmental Education. John is a Registered Psychotherapist and conducts a practice in the area.

Officer – John Maxwell

I’ve been resident of Simcoe my entire life, and have enjoyed the wild areas of St. Williams and Turkey Point, hiking and riding the trails. I’d known about the creation of the St. Williams Conservation Reserve Community Council for some time, and I joined the Community Council in 2013.

I’ve been pleased to participate in furthering the vision and securing the future of the Reserve as a haven and habitat for the at-risk species we find here.

Director – Nancy Candy-Harding

I joined the St. Williams Conservation Reserve Community Council because conservation and environmental stewardship have been core values in my family for four generations. Being part of the SWCRCC allows me to carry on that legacy and walk in the footsteps of my ancestors who cared deeply about protecting the planet.

What resonates with me most about the SWCR is its commitment to overall land stewardship. The work being done here to protect and restore ecosystems aligns closely with my own values and long-standing connection to the land.

One of my favourite species found in the Reserve is the Eastern Hognose Snake. Its unique behaviour and ecological role make it a fascinating and important part of the local biodiversity.

Director – Peter Krause

An accomplished business leader with more that 40 years of experience in strategic planning, organizational leadership and community service, Peter Krause has consistently combined a deep commitment to environmental stewardship, education and healthcare with proven expertise in board governance and stakeholder engagement.

Much of his career was devoted to environmental, conservation and watershed management in Ontario. For over two decades, he served on the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) board, including nine years as Chair. One highlight during that time was accepting the International River Prize on behalf of GRCA in 2000 in Brisbane, Australia. He later chaired Conservation Ontario, representing all 36 conservation authorities across the province, where he advocated for greater provincial support for flood and erosion control, conservation, and advanced source water protection. These efforts contributed to the creation of Ontario’s Clean Water Act.

He was also a founding board member of the Clean Water Centre of Excellence in Walkerton, established to improve drinking water quality and encourage research throughout Ontario. Later, as Chief Executive Officer of the International River Foundation (IRF) in Brisbane, he continued to champion the protection and revitalization of rivers on a global scale, while also serving several years on the IRF board.

In the private sector, Peter retired as a Partner in an actuarial, pension and benefits firm before founding Krause Corporate Solutions, a consulting practice specializing in pensions, benefits, actuarial and organizational strategy.
Through his professional and volunteer work, Peter brings insight and a strong commitment to natural heritage protection, sustainable vegetation management and restoration activities of the St. Williams Conservation Reserve Community Council.

Director – Perry Poirier

After many years of enjoying the beautiful tracts of land that make up the St. Williams Conservation Reserve, I saw joining the Community Council as an opportunity to give back. It’s a way for me to help preserve and protect the same spaces that have brought me so much appreciation for nature.

What resonates most with me about the SWCR is how it supports a wide range of outdoor activities like hunting and hiking, while also providing vital habitat for countless species of wildlife. It’s a rare and valuable balance between recreation and conservation.

My favourite species found in the Reserve is the Hemlock tree. There’s something timeless and grounding about it, and it holds a quiet significance among the diverse plant life here.

Director – Rob Ross

I joined the CR in hopes of providing input and gathering a better understanding on how the trail system works, with hope of improving the trail system as knowledge was gained.

The CR has always been a part of my life, and being back on the trails in any aspect – be it ATV, horseback, or bike – makes me feel at home.

The best part of the CR is experiencing the pine trees in each season: heavy with snow and deadly quiet, the freshness of spring, on a mid summer’s day when the foliage is so thick you can see your headlights on the trees, or the fall colors when the trails seem more open.

Director - Cristy Thiessen

I’ve worked at the St. Williams Nursery and Ecology Centre for over 14 years, managing the native seed lab where we collect, clean, and store seeds from both wild sources and bulk field mixes. I also oversee the production of hundreds of species of native plants, shrubs, and trees for large-scale restoration projects throughout Ontario.

I joined the St. Williams Conservation Reserve Community Council seven years ago with the hope of contributing my experience toward developing a comprehensive Seed Strategy to support the Reserve’s ambitious restoration goals. It’s rewarding to be part of the deep-rooted history of this nursery and these unique properties.

When it comes to choosing a favourite species from the SWCR, I honestly can’t pick just one—there are too many! But some of my top favourites include Columbine, Virginia Goat’s-rue, Eastern Hemlock, Flowering Dogwood, and Spotted Wintergreen. Each one has its own charm and role in the ecosystem.

Director – Kristen Bernard

Coming Soon!

Plans & Governance

Operations Plan

The first Operations Plan for 2009-2018 defined the St Williams Conservation Reserve Community Council’s priorities and activities needed to meet the five management objectives.

Natural Heritage Protection & Restoration 2009-2018

The Community Council’s focus on Natural Heritage during the first operational plan period included:

About half of the pine plantations areas have been thinned to advance regeneration of natural ecosystems
Priority sand barrens were a focal area for targeting invasive species
Eight Prescribed Burns were completed to restore priority oak savanna habitats
Signage was installed to increase compliance with regulations and reduce harm to sensitive habitats

Cultural Heritage 2009-2018

The Community Council’s focus on Cultural Heritage during the first operational plan period included:

Protecting the legacy of the Picetum area that contains important spruce research plantings and
Supporting the efforts of the St Williams Forestry Station Interpretive Centre to preserve and communicate the history of these lands as part of Canada’s first forestry station.

Education 2009-2018

The Community Council’s focus on Education during the first operational plan was to:

Create an informative website and Facebook presence
Produce educational materials for primary and secondary schools

Recreation 2009-2018

The network of authorized trails was defined in 2006. Since then, MNRF has made changes to the authorized trails in response to requests from user groups, e.g., mountain bikes and walkers/hikers at Turkey Point Tract.

During the first operations plan period, the Community Council (CC) worked with MNRF to:

Develop a code of conduct
Maintain and improve signage in the trail network, including trail arrows on the multi-use horse and mountain bike trails
Create designated parking areas
Provide trail maps

Over the 2009-2018 Operations Plan period, we’ve become more aware of the impacts of trail density and human usage on the prime objective of The CR – protecting its natural heritage. User compliance continues to be a challenge; the use of unauthorized trails is endangering the species at risk and sensitive habitats we are trying to protect.

Research 2009-2018

We encourage research projects in The CR. Ongoing research includes studies by researchers from McMaster University, University of Toronto, University of Guelph, Bird Studies Canada, and the Ontario Forest Research Institute.

Research topics include species at risk, carbon sequestration, variable retentions plantation thinning, and long-term pine and spruce tree collections.

The New Operations Plan for 2019-2028

A combined team from the Community Council and MNRF is updating The CR’s operations plan for 2019-2028.
The CR’s 10-year operations plan for 2019-2028 maintains the best of the previous plan and addresses today’s opportunities.
The 5 management objectives are not changing, and the prime objective is still protecting and restoring the CR’s ecological integrity.
For each of the 5 management objectives, we define target goals and metrics so we can monitor and report on progress during and at the end of the 10-year plan period 2019-2018.
Priorities and activities are reviewed and updated for each management objective.
Our maps and Code of Conduct are also being reviewed and updated.

Management Plan

The St Williams Conservation Reserve is regulated under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserve Act. This management plan was created with input from the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Get Involved Today!

The St. Williams Conservation Reserve Community Council is always looking for helpful volunteers and directors. Are you looking to give back to your community?