In the heart of a World Biosphere Reserve, the 'Bruce' is a place of global significance. The massive, rugged cliffs of the park are inhabited by thousand year old cedar trees, overhanging the crystal clear waters of Georgian Bay. The park is comprised of an incredible array of habitats from rare alvars to dense forests and clean lakes. Together these form a greater ecosystem - the largest remaining chunk of natural habitat in southern Ontario.
Just over 50 km (30 miles) south-east of Windsor, Ontario, lies the most southern point on the Canadian mainland – Point Pelee National Park of Canada. This tiny green oasis is internationally known for its spring and fall migration of birds and its stunning autumn monarch butterfly migration. Famous vistas such as the "Tip" and Marsh Boardwalk provide people of all ages with unlimited opportunities to discover nature.
As you pass through the Park gates, you are arriving at the southernmost tip of Canada's mainland, which is at the same latitude as northern California. Much of the Park's unique character is due to this southern location. Canada's Deep South offers an unrivalled collection of plants and animals in a wide range of habitats.
Point Pelee is one of Canada's smallest national parks, and yet this tiny oasis of green attracts nearly 400 000 visitors each year. Our greatest challenge is bringing people and the environment together. From picnic areas to the Visitor Centre, all facilities and services are designed to preserve the Park's natural environment.
The Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area has some of the most inspiring scenic viewing found anywhere. Five breathtaking lookouts dot the edge of towering cliffs of Ontario’s striking Niagara Escarpment. With excellent hiking and skiing trails, this natural environment park is perfect for that therapeutic walk in the woods during any season. You can soak up this relaxed atmosphere even longer by enjoying a picnic in the grassy meadows or an overnight stay at one of the group campsites.
For the adventuresome, Rattlesnake Point has three designated sites where experienced rock climbers can scale challenging cliffs under a canopy of rich woods. Hiking enthusiasts can trek the Bruce Trail through the Nassagaweya Canyon complete with trail connections to Crawford Lake.
The Ausable River Gorge and the Rock Glen area is famous for its exposed beds of fossils, dating back to the Devonian period in Ontario's history, about 350 million years ago. We have many visitors that come to this area to find fossils that are scientifically named - crinoids, brachiopods and trilobites. These ancient treasures were once strange types of shellfish that swam, crawled or drifted about in the tropical waters of Ontario. Surprisingly, these creatures survived 400 million years of change and remained trapped in their 'rock tomb' until the glacier retreated. The melting waters from this glacier formed the Rock Glen Falls and the Ausable River Gorge about 13,000 years ago. The Falls have actually moved about 400 meters upstream to its present location.
Why travel hours north when you can go to Rockwood - just an hour from the larger metropolitan cities of Southern Ontario? Rockwood, with its scenic trails, limestone cliffs and spectacular remains of the Wisconsin Ice Age glacier are nestled in a quaint little park for you to explore and enjoy. We at Rockwood invite you to browse through our website to provide you with the necessary information to plan an unforgettable day-outing or weekend camp-out at one of our picturesque campsites. But please don't forget to book ahead as many people already enjoy Rockwood's unique beauty. The park has over 50,000 visitors a year and they come from near and far to see its towering limestone cliffs, caves, glacial potholes and old woolen mill ruins.
Royal Botanical Gardens 680 Plains Road West, Burlington / Hamilton http://www.rbg.ca/
Living museum which serves local, regional and global communities while developing and promoting public understanding of the relationship between the plant world, humanity and the rest of nature.
The term "one of a kind" describes the universal appeal of the Royal Mail Ship Segwun, a premier ship offering one of the finest Ontario cruises. Long before the era of modern highways, the Segwun, then a paddlewheeler, sailed the Muskoka Lakes from early spring to late fall, carrying passengers, mail and freight to the many resorts and villages not served by the railways.
Come be part of the Story. Located in Springbank Park, this theme park is All New All Fun All Year with 8 New Chapters of Fun, Learning and Adventure having undergone extensive renovations it is now a year-round family attraction. Storybook Gardens has enchanted children with its animals, displays and playground equipment since it’s opening in 1958. The All New Storybook Gardens features water play with the largest splash pad in London called Slippery’s Great Escape, high intensity play and adventure at Pirates Island, or discover our agricultural roots with our teaching gardens and Heritage Rare Breeds at Old McDonald’s Farm, or explore Frog Pond with our environmental and ecological programs and much more. The winter of 2003, was the first ever winter season for Storybook Gardens and it featured the All New Storybook Valley Skating Trail a 250 metre artificial ice skating trail.
he Arboretum at the University of Guelph is somewhat modeled after the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University which is 100 years older.
Plantings started in 1971 and are now maturing to produce a beautiful landscape, within which The Arboretum continues to develop specialized gardens, botanical collections, and gene conservation programs. Labels are maintained at the base of all woody plants in the collections that are listed on The Arboretum map.
The Arboretum spans 165 hectares (408 acres) with 8.2 km of signed trails. Observed at The Arboretum are 38 species of mammals, 188 species of birds, 39 species of butterflies, 18 herptiles (reptiles and amphibians) and 1,700 species of trees and shrubs. Almost every tree and shrub indigenous to southern Ontario is growing at The Arboretum.
