Overview

Thomas and Mary Young Nature Sanctuary is a 20-acre property located in north Flamborough within the Beverly Swamp, which falls within the Fairchild Creek sub-watershed of the Grand River watershed. It consists of an open cattail dominated environment, with an intricate network of narrow open water channels running between hummocks and sparsely spaced trees.

History

In 2005, a 10-acre parcel was acquired thanks to the generous donation of land by Lorraine Stewart, who named the property after her grandparents. Thomas and Mary Young had first acquired the property in the early part of the 20th century, when lands in the area were sold as bush lots to local farmers whose farms were completely cleared. Thomas’ life-long interest in conservation ensured the land was kept in pristine condition, untouched by human hands.

The HNC purchased an adjacent 10-acre parcel in 2017.

Ecology and Highlights

The sanctuary is entirely within the Beverly Swamp, a Provincially Significant Wetland that is one of the largest remaining tracts of intact lowland swamp in southern Ontario. The Beverly Swamp functions as the headwaters for three major creek systems and plays a very important role in improving water quality and regulating seasonal flow in these watercourses. It is also designated as part of a Provincially Significant Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (Life Science) and an Environmentally Significant Area for the City of Hamilton. A high diversity of biological communities and significant species are known to be present within the swamp.