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Happy Valley Forest – Pottageville Swamp Natural Area

Red eft in Happy Valley Forest (Photo by NCC)

Why this place is important

Surrounded by the growing metropolis of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in southern Ontario, Happy Valley Forest – Pottageville Swamp is a natural oasis with vast ecological, historical and cultural importance.

Located in King Township, this area  supports at least 30 species listed as at risk by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada and 29 provincially listed species at risk. Happy Valley Forest is the largest intact block of deciduous forest on the Oak Ridges Moraine. It is an outstanding example of the mature sugar maple and beech upland forests of the moraine. Nearby Pottageville Swamp is a Provincially Significant Wetland made up primarily of treed wetlands.

What NCC is doing here

With mounting residential and industrial pressures throughout the GTA, it is critical that we also conserve local natural areas so that they can continue to clean our air, filter our water and provide opportunities for people to connect with nature. To date, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) along with our partners has protected  more than 323 hectares in Happy Valley Forest. It is our goal to protect even more of this important natural area and manage it for the long term.

Happy Valley Forest - Pottageville Swamp Natural Area map - click to enlarge

A forest for the future

The Happy Valley Forest is an old-growth forest in the making. This means that if we can continue to care for and protect this unique landscape, the forest will achieve old-growth status in the next 50 to 100 years.

The forest is being conserved at a scale large enough to allow for natural disturbances. Wildfires, insect outbreaks, disease and severe storms can significantly impact the structure and composition of any landscape. Because larger landscapes can accommodate the impact of these natural disturbances, it is important to protect the Happy Valley Forest at this scale. Nowhere else on the western moraine or within the GTA is old-growth forest of this extent achievable.

Nature Days, Happy Valley Forest, ON (Photo by HSBC Bank Canada)

With the GTA’s growing population and an increased interest in nature-based recreation, it’s important that we ensure this special place is used responsibly, so that both wildlife and humans can enjoy the forest for generations to come.

By creating and implementing a visitor management plan, NCC is looking at how Happy Valley Forest can be enjoyed sustainably for generations to come.

NCC’s visitor management plan will include:

  • New trail linkages to prevent trespassing on private land.
  • Improved signage to ensure good trail etiquette and appropriate trail use.
  • Improved wayfinding, including trail maps and blazes.

Happy Valley Forest trail map - click to enlarge

Goldie Feldman Nature Reserve: Home to NCC’s first accessible trail

From  mature forests, ridges and meadows to wooded wetlands, the Goldie Feldman Nature Reserve in the Happy Valley Forest offers a diversity of landscapes and scenery to satisfy nature lovers of all ages. This property also features NCC’s first fully accessible trail in Canada! The 770-metre trail and parking lot with accessible spaces are built to AODA standards. This trail includes two loops, one through a meadow and one through the forest, to provide different experiences and options for visitors.

Trail length: 2.5 km (Goldie Feldman Nature Reserve)

Hike difficulty: easy to moderate

Accessible trail surface: firm and gravel

Accessible trail width: 1.5 to 1.8 metres

Accessible parking: one van-accessible parking and one regular accessible parking space. Amenities on-site: There are no amenities on-site.

Points of interest

  • mature forest on the Oak Ridges Moraine
  • headwater streams of Lake Simcoe and Lake Ontario
  • lookout point and lowland boardwalk

Species to look out for

  • coyote
  • red-shouldered hawk
  • red-spotted newt
  • scarlet tanager
  • white-tailed deer
  • wood thrush

Directions

  1. Head north on Highway 400 toward exit 43 for Regional Road 11/King Road toward Nobleton/King City.
  2. Keep left at the fork and follow signs for King Road West and turn left at King Road/Regional Road 11.
  3. Take the first right onto Weston Road/Regional Road 56 (signs for Weston Road).
  4. Turn left at Sideroad 17.
  5. Goldie Feldman Nature Reserve is on the left (south) side of the road at 4093 17th Sideroad.

Contact information

Visitors can call 1-877-231-3552 or email ontario@natureconservancy.ca to inquire about the trails and access points at Happy Valley Forest.

Visitor information

People are welcome to visit the Happy Valley Forest and experience its incredible natural beauty. The Oak Ridges Moraine Trail runs through the forest, and several of NCC’s properties also feature hiking trails. The nature reserve is privately owned and managed by NCC.  When visiting the property, please:

  • Travel on designated trails only.
  • Be considerate and respect the wildlife and other visitors.
  • Dispose of waste properly.
  • Leave what you find.
  • Plan ahead and prepare.
  • Keep pets on a leash at all times.
  • Refrain from lighting fires or smoking.

Other trail safety considerations:

  • Visitors to NCC properties do so at their own risk.
  • Trails are open year-round, unless otherwise signed.
  • Trail conditions vary seasonally and winter conditions can be icy.
  • Poison ivy is very prevalent in some areas.
  • Black-legged ticks are present.
  • Cell phone reception is poor.

History

Wetland, Happy Valley Forest, ON (Photo by Graham Kent)

The Happy Valley Forest has a long history of human use. The forest is located along the Toronto Carrying Place, a historic portage and travel route. This prehistoric link between Lake Simcoe and Lake Ontario is roughly 45 kilometres long. Indigenous Peoples and early settlers would carry lightweight birch bark canoes on this long trek — the most direct route between the two lakes.

Much of Happy Valley Forest has been left undisturbed for more than 100 years. This is likely part of the reason it is so biologically rich today.

 Partners

The protection of Happy Valley Forest – Pottageville Swamp is not something we can achieve on our own. Only through strong partnerships can this unique area continue to grow and thrive. NCC would like to thank the following partners for their generous support of our ongoing efforts in this natural area: