Pontypool
Originally established in
2011
258
Protected Acres
Donor:
Open to public:
Protection:
Land donors Ralph McKim and Jean Garsonnin enjoyed the beauty of their property on the Oak Ridges Moraine, part of Ontario’s Greenbelt, for years and wished to ensure it remained in its natural state forever.
In 2011, Ralph and Jean protected their 258-acre property — known as “Ballyduff Trails” — with a Conservation Easement Agreement (CEA) with Kawartha Land Trust (KLT).
During this time, they welcomed the community onto their protected lands to enjoy the 10 kilometres of trails they had created and welcomed students and professors from Trent University and Fleming College to conduct research and lessons on the land.
Ralph and Jean also worked with local community groups and volunteers to re-establish degraded woodlots, plant thousands of trees, and manage invasive plant species like Dog-strangling Vine and Scots Pine that affect biodiversity in the region.
Eleven years later, they generously donated 158 acres of the property, the section containing the popular trail system, to KLT to protect in perpetuity. The rest of the property was still protected through the original CEA. However, in 2024, Ralph and Jean severed their remaining property and donated an additional 71 acres to KLT, which contained the rare tallgrass prairie. The remaining 29 acres continue to be protected through the easement.
Ballyduff Trails contains forests, a rare tallgrass prairie, and a wetland that is the source of a coldwater stream at the headwaters of Fleetwood Creek. The property also borders the 900-acre Fleetwood Creek Natural Area.
Not only have Ralph and Jean committed to the protection of their lands and ensuring that it remains open to the community to enjoy, but Ralph has also been an active volunteer with Kawartha Land Trust since the early days of the organization when it was known as Kawartha Heritage Conservancy (KHC). Since then, he’s volunteered in a variety of governance and stewardship roles and we remain grateful for Ralph’s insight, knowledge, and passion for conservation.
KLT’s Ballyduff Trails is home to one of the rarest ecosystems in North America — the tallgrass prairie. It’s estimated that only 1-3% of the original extent of Ontario’s original grasslands remain.
Land donors Ralph McKim and Jean Garsonnin dedicated years to protecting and restoring the prairie and is still actively involved in the ongoing restoration efforts, including the popular annual tallgrass and wildflower seed harvest the public is invited to participate in.
The prairie is predominately made up of Big Bluestem, Little Bluestem, and Yellow Prairie Grass. When visiting the tallgrass prairie, you might encounter at-risk species like Dense Blazing Star, Grasshopper Sparrow, American Bumblebee, and Monarch Butterfly, and other species that depend on grasslands like American Woodcock, White-tailed Deer, voles, and a wide variety of insects, including Monarch Butterfly.
The recreational trails are open to the public for hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Ralph and Jean simply ask that you:
Please see the map below. In fair-weather months, please park near the woodpile. In winter months, please park either outside the gate or inside in the ploughed area near the garage.
Both the 2021 and 2024 land donations were supported by the Government of Ontario and Ontario Land Trust Alliance, through the Greenlands Conservation Partnership, which helps conserve ecologically important natural areas and protect wetlands, grasslands and forests that help mitigate the effects of climate change. Through the Greenlands Conservation Partnership, a total of $50 million will be invested over four years, including $20 million from the Ontario government and another $30 million from other sources, such as individual donations and foundation support through the NCC and the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, and other levels of government.
