Lake Erie North Shore Watershed Plan - Niagara Peninsula ...

LAKE ERIE NORTH SHORE WATERSHED PLAN
Also located at Point Abino is Phillips Ancient Sugar Bush Grove which historically
was a sugar bush. The survey conducted by the Bert Miller Nature Club (2004) noted
that most of the sugar maples were in the 300 to 320 year range, with a few possibly
reaching 400 years old.
Sugar Loaf Hill, located along the Lake Erie shoreline just west of Port Colborne‟s
downtown area, is one of three Lake Erie coastal dunes to be covered by old growth
trees. The Bert Miller Nature Club noted ancient hemlocks growing on sand dunes,
which is an extremely rare scenario. In addition, several tree species with ages ranging
from 150 years old to over 200 years old were identified. These include for example, a
sugar maple with a diameter ranging from 20 to 26 inches and an age ranging from 165
to 230 years old; a hemlock with a diameter of 14 inches and an age ranges of 170 to
over 200 years old; and a pignut hickory with an 18 inch diameter and an age range of
175 to 190 years old (Bert Miller Nature Club 2004).
Morgan’s Point owned by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority has been
noted as Lake Erie‟s most eastern lakeshore savannah grove with old growth trees up to
73 inches in diameter and ages of 300 years old (Bert Miller Nature Club 2004). Most of
the large trees are stately black walnuts with a diameter range around 30 inches and an
age range of 150 to 200 years old. Other old growth species include for example, sugar
maples with a diameter range of 20 to 34 inches and ages reaching over 300 years old;
a record sized red oak with a 73 inch diameter and an age of 350 years; and several hop
hornbeam have been identified with diameters ranging from 8 to 15 inches and ages
ranging from 230 to 250 years old (Bert Miler Nature Club 2004).
Conservation Areas
Long Beach Conservation Area
Long Beach Conservation Area is located in the Township of Wainfleet along Lake Erie.
This 56 hectare park offers camping, swimming and numerous other opportunities for
beach related activities along the sandy shores of Lake Erie. Forest and lake habitats
present opportunities for bird watching and wildlife photography. Exposed limestone rock
along parts of the shoreline at Long Beach offer visitors an opportunity to examine
fossilized remains of ancient flora and fauna. Under the lake‟s surface this unique rock
form continues out to a small island visible from shore. The result is a natural magnet to
the Great Lakes birds and fish, offering them unique shelter, feeding and spawning
habitat (NPCA No Date).
Morgan‟s Point Conservation Area
Located along the shore of Lake Erie, this significant parcel of land is designated as a
regionally environmentally sensitive area due to its significant dune and plant
community, including old growth forest as previously described. The lakefront bedrock
shoal outcrop, sand dunes, tall grass meadow, woodlot and open areas offer passive
recreational uses as well as an excellent opportunity for viewing migratory birds and
monarch butterflies.
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