Cultural History
The First Provincial Forest Station in Canada
From Forest to Desert
Before European settlement, the conservation reserve area supported extensive oak savanna, tallgrass prairies, and sand barrens. Our pioneer forefathers were faced with deeply forested, impenetrable bush when they arrived in this area. By law they had to clear their free land and farm it.
Conversion to agriculture in the late 1800s and early 1900s on drought-prone, sandy soils led to significant wind erosion and sand blowouts. Within 50 years parts of Norfolk County were desert. To combat further land degradation, the Ontario government purchased marginal farmland in Norfolk County and established the St. Williams Forestry Station in 1908. It was the first reforestation project in Canada.
The forest station aimed to (1) provide tree seedling nursery stock for distribution throughout Ontario, (2) demonstrate the feasibility of reclaiming degraded lands through reforestation, and (3) experiment with various tree species for this purpose. The St. Williams Provincial Forest Station operated from 1908 to 1998.
There were 14 full time employees at the Station by 1917 and annual production of seedlings increased in to the millions. Seasonal employment during the depression was a major plus for the area.
The annual production, by 1970, consisted of 20 species including Pine, Spruce, White Cedar, Walnut, Oak and Poplar. Today 50 million trees are shipped per year, mostly conifers for reforestation of areas commercially harvested in timber production and 4,000 acres of woodlands and recreational facilities.
The legislation establishing the Station provided trees for reforestation, and also established demonstration forests where the benefits of good forestry practices could be shown to landowners. Following our example, six more forestry stations were established across Ontario. At one time, they produced more than 100 million trees per year. That’s enough to reforest 125 thousand acres or 50 thousand hectares.
Establishing the Reserve
Ministry of Natural Resources reforestation nurseries, including the St. Williams Forest Station, were privatized in 1998, and the former Forest station was designated as a Conservation Reserve in March 2004.
The St Williams Conservation Reserve comprises 1,035 hectares of Crown land in Norfolk County, divided into two distinct sites: the Nursery Tract and the Turkey Point Tract, also known as the E.C. Zavitz Forest and the J.H. White Forest, respectively. These tracts were reforested in the early 20th century as part of Ontario’s first large-scale restoration efforts.
The property’s rich cultural history is honoured in the goals and objectives of the St. Williams Conservation Reserve, and representative plantations are maintained to demonstrate the forestry practices of early 20th century Canada.
The production of nursery stock has now been placed into the private sector in Ontario, but the trees grown and planted by Provincial forestry staff and many private landowners will contribute to our environment and our economy for many generations into the future.
Growing Partnerships
Privatization of Ministry of Natural Resources reforestation nurseries in 1998 resulted in ForestCare’s presence at St. Williams until 2009, and the establishment of the St. Williams Nursery and Ecology Centre, which opened in July 2010.
St. Williams Nursery and Ecology Centre
The St. Williams Nursery and Ecology Centre provides native, source-identified, trees and plants for restoration and reforestation efforts in Canada.
This enterprise represents a new chapter in the story of the St. Williams Forestry Station by expanding beyond trees into native grasses, wildflowers and wetland plants; additionally offering ecological restoration consulting services.
St. Williams Interpretive Centre
Until 2021, the St. Williams Interpretive Centre was a museum occupying the original nursery site, dedicated to the historical, current and future operations of the St. Williams Forestry Station. The museum featured displays, artifacts and an interpretive walking trail highlight some of the natural heritage features of the area.
Reforestation in Ontario
Over its 100 years of existence, the St. Williams Forestry Station has had a far-reaching environmental benefit right across the landscape of Southern Ontario. Tens of thousands of hectares of forest now grow where farms proved unprofitable. Graceful rows of evergreen trees have been planted to give protection to crops and mark property lines.
The legislation establishing the Station provided trees for reforestation but also provided for the establishment of demonstration forests where the benefits of good forestry practices could be shown to landowners. Six more forestry stations were established across Ontario. At one time, they produced more than 100 million trees per year. That’s enough to reforest 125 thousand acres or 50 thousand hectares.
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?
