The van Nostrand property is 15 km southeast of Peterborough. It is located on the shoreline of Rice Lake at the mouth of the Indian River, one of the three major river systems in the Otonabee Region watershed. The majority of this property is coastal wetland dominated by cattail marsh which hosts a diversity of species.

The property lies within a Provincially Significant Wetland (PSW). It is within the provincially significant Indian River Mouth wetland. It also contains a portion of the Regionally significant Indian River Marsh Life Science (ANSI). It contains more than 2650m of shoreline along Rice Lake and the Indian River. It is an important corridor of connectivity along the shoreline of Rice Lake and the Indian River.

The extensive cattail marsh is a refuge for many wildlife species. Midland Painted Turtles have been observed basking on logs and vegetative hummocks. Based on calling behaviour, Green Frogs and Bullfrogs have been documented breeding on the property. There are small open areas in the marsh and numerous vegetation channels.