Overview

Spooky Hollow Nature Sanctuary is a 165-acre property located south of Simcoe within the Norfolk Sand Plain. The sanctuary is composed of forested hills and valleys, transitioning from an old-growth Carolinian and Hemlock forest in the south end to mixed forest to a white pine plantation and pockets of oak savanna in the north end. Fisher’s Creek, a sandy-bottomed coldwater stream flows through the length of the property.

History

In May 1961, HNC members visited the site and were so impressed by this magnificent tract of Carolinian forest that Marion Shivas, HNC President at the time, sprang into action to purchase the property that very day. The landowner had recently passed and Marion went directly to the executors of the estate, negotiating an agreement in principal to purchase the 95-acre parcel which was completed within two months. In 1993, with funding support from the Ontario Heritage Foundation (Ontario Heritage Trust), the HNC acquired an additional 70-acre parcel located on the northwest side of the original property.

Ecology and Highlights

Spooky Hollow Nature Sanctuary is a core area near the center of a large significant natural area. It has been designated as a provincially significant Life Science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (Spooky Hollow ANSI) in recognition of the diversity and quality of the habitat provided by the river valleys and sand plain uplands, as well as the many rare and unusual species present.