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Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority

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Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority > Beaver River

 

  • Beaver River Wetland AerialBeaver River Wetland Aerial
  • Beaver River TrailBeaver River Trail
    A photograph of the Beaver River Wetland. Trees and shruvs are in focus in the front, with the river framed in the background.
  • Beaver River Trail - Yellow FlowerBeaver River Trail - Yellow Flower
    A photo of the Beaver River Wetland with a yellow flower shown in front of the river.
  • Beaver River Trail BoardwalkBeaver River Trail Boardwalk
    An image of the boardwalk above the Beaver River.
  • ButterflyButterfly
    An image of a butterfly on a flower. The flower is growing in the Beaver River Wetland.

​Beaver River Wetland Conservation Area

Located between Uxbridge and Cannington, the Beaver River Wetland Conservation Area is Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority's largest landholding, at more than 500 hectares. The area consists of two parts – a historic abandoned CN rail line which provides for a recreational trail through the conservation area, and an extensive provincially significant wetland.

The Beaver River Wetland is one of the most ecologically significant natural areas in the Lake Simcoe watershed​. Because of its role in replenishing and storing water, filtering pollution, mitigating the effects of climate change and providing critical habitat to animals, the area has been evaluated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as both a Provincially Significant Wetland and an Environmentally Sensitive Area. A co​nservative dollar estimate of the ecological goods and services this area provides, (in other words the work of nature to control and filter water and air, regulate climate, pollinate crops and more), is in excess of 5.5 million dollars a year.

​Beaver River Wetland Trail

The Beaver River Wetland Trail is one of the best ways to access and savor the smells, sights and sounds of the pristine and largely undeveloped Beaver River wetland. The all season trails built upon the flat, wide bed of the historic Toronto and Nipissing Railway (T&NR) dating back to the late 1800's when it supplied the Toronto Distillery District with wood and wheat. The line was abandoned in the early 1990's and is now nearly 40km in length, connecting Uxbridge, Cannington and Manilla in a Y-like configuration. Blackwater is home to the hub at the centre of the trail enjoyed by hikers and cycling enthusiasts in the summer and snowmobilers in the winter enjoying this unique Conservation Area.

A 21km section of the rail-trail from Uxbridge to Manilla is also designated as a section of The Great Trail, stretching across Canada. What makes this trail great is the abundant wildlife you can see as you travel along the trail - in the summer you might see a great blue heron, red-winged blackbirds, muskrats and beavers in the wetland. In the winter, the quiet calm soothes the spirit and mind as you watch the snow drift through the wetland.

​Management Plan Review

Together with local residents, visitors, community groups and other interested stakeholders we're updating the Beaver River Wetland Conservation Area Management Plan. Your feedback is an important part of this review. Through this process, you will have an opportunity to reflect on the value and use of the property, changes you may have seen over the years, and most importantly, your ideas for the future.

What is a Management Plan?

The Beaver River Wetland​ Conservation Area Management Plan provides direction so that the property is cared for in a way that balances recreation with conservation. It sets goals to enhance the property and provides the strategies to achieve them. Updates to the Management Plan ensure that policies remain relevant and responsive to new challenges and opportunities.  As reports and documents become finalized, they will be available on this webpage for review.  ​

Process and Timeline

The Management Plan review and update will consist of five stages:

Stage 1. Implementation Report (January - March)
Stage 2. Stakeholder Analysis (March - May)
Stage 3. Needs Assessment (June - September)​
Stage 4. Preliminary Management Plan and Public Review (September - November​)
Stage 5. Management Plan (December 2018)