Conservation Reserves

There are 10 Conservation Reserves in Renfrew County. Their locations can be viewed in this Crown Land Map Browser by clicking on BOOKMARKS. Reserve information is available by clicking on the

icon on map horizontal tab bar and then clicking policy ID number on map, get additional information by clicking on REVIEW REPORT in sidebar.

Site Descriptions

Conroys Marsh – This 2,049-ha provincial Conservation Reserve is located in the geographic Township of Radcliffe, now in the municipal Township of Madawaska Valley, and in the geographic Township of Raglan, now in the municipal Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan, in the County of Renfrew.

This Provincially Significant Class One wetland offers an ideal day trip for paddlers of all levels of experience. Its smooth waters can be reached by the York River to the west, the Little Mississippi River to the south, or the Madawaska River to the northeast. Once out in the marsh, there are few dry areas to disembark from a canoe or kayak; however one popular picnic spot is locally known as Ring-on-the-Rock.

This area is rich in history and played an important role in the development of the Bancroft area. The first settlers and loggers passed through this wetland to access the Madawaska River to the east. The Craigmont Mine, at one time the world’s second largest producer of corundum, provided jobs for up to 2000. Remnants of this old mine and load-out can still be seen on the north shore. A journey into today’s Conroys Marsh offers a host of natural features, including wild cranberries and wild rice fields. Local guides and outfitters can help to make this trek most memorable.

All the Crown land between Egan Chute Provincial Park and Conroy's Marsh is being added to Egan Chute Provincial Park as a waterway class park.

Constant Creek Swamp and Fen – This 540-ha provincial Conservation Reserve is located in the geographic Townships of Blithfield and Bagot, in the Municipal Township of Greater Madawaska, in the County of Renfrew. This conservation reserve, located in ecological Site District 5E-11, contains undisturbed swamps of silver maple, green ash, black ash and cedar. The flatland is a product of a post-glacial spillway that runs from the Lake Clear area to Calabogie Lake, about 7km west of Calabogie. Constant Creek itself lies overtop of a sand outwash plain. Marble and granite bedrock runs in ridges through the site and creates a series of linear wetlands that have grown into fens. There are extensive wild rice stands and an adjoining provincially significant wetland at Ferguson Lake. The swamp-over-marble combination is a distinct feature, with the mixture of deciduous and

coniferous swamps, interrupted by large and open grassy fens, being the best collection of these habitats in the area. The area is used for a variety of traditional uses, including canoeing and hunting. (further description)

Deacon Escarpment– This 2176-ha proposed provincial Conservation Reserve features a prominent escarpment rising over 150 metres from the Bonnechere River valley. Talus slopes, southerly exposed ridge tops and hummocky forested uplands, undisturbed Red Oak savannah and numerous small lakes, ponds and wetlands make up the landscape. Numerous wildlife species are also found within the reserve. Large and small mammals such as bear, moose, deer, fox, wolf, coyote, fisher, marten; aquatic animals such as mink, otter, muskrat and beaver. Beaudry’s Creek, which starts behind Camboose Mountain and spills down to Kilby Road, forms tiny chutes and waterfalls and runs along a short section of the unmarked trail from Kilby Road to the top of the escarpment. Some plants of interest along this section including Smaller Purple-fringed Orchis (before mid July), Blue Skullcap and Fragrant Bedstraw. Patches of Woodland Sunflower blanket the bases of rock outcrops. Listen for Dark-eyed Junco, Hermit Thrush and Eastern Wood-Pewee. Red Cedar grows along the face of the escarpment, rare this far north in Ontario. Prairie Warbler, which finds this habitat suitable, can sometimes be heard in the Red Oak and Red Cedar along the cliff face. Due to the updraft created by the steep slope, raptors such as Common Raven and Turkey Vulture are often seen circling above the escarpment and sometimes soar by at eye level when you are enjoying the view from on top. Some plants found in the middle to upper slope are: Fragrant Sumac, Wood Lily, Early Saxifrage, New Jersey Tea, Rusty Woodsia and Mackay’s Fragile Fern.

Greenbough Esker – This 549-ha provincial Conservation Reserve is located in the geographic Township of Clara, in the municipal Township of Head, Clara and Maria, in the County of Renfrew. (McElroy's Greenbough Esker)

Hawkins Property

The Hawkins Property is primarily a mature forest of poplar, soft maple, balsam fir, cedar and white birch. Swamps and ponds dot the property, filling up depressions in the glacial outwash and ground moraine landform. An active heronry can be found in the conservation reserve.

The property was regulated as a conservation reserve on June 20, 2006. The red pine plantation on the eastern boundary of this site will not be included in the Conservation Reserve boundary.

Management of this area is governed by the general policies contained in the Land Use Strategy (1999).

Little Mississippi River – This 916-ha provincial Conservation Reserve is located in the geographic Township of Ashby, now in the municipal Township of Addington Highlands, County of Lennox and Addington, and in the geographic Township of Raglan, now in the Municipal Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan, County of Renfrew, and in the geographic Townships of Carlow and Mayo, now in the municipal Township of Carlow/Mayo, County of Hastings. This trans-boundary reserve is unique in that it includes parts of the three counties: Hastings, Lennox and Addington, and Renfrew.

This wilderness area is made of six separate parcels of Crown land buffering the Little Mississippi River. The river flows in a northerly direction from Weslemkoon Lake to Conroys Marsh. The total area of the reserve covers 1,006 acres and offers no services. It is an ideal setting for the canoeist wishing to experience the watershed on day or overnight trips. The shoreline is varied with large wetland areas, red maple swamps, and cedar and white pine forests—a good place to explore wildlife in a fairly rugged setting. (from Pinecone)

Mud Lake/Creek – This 158-ha provincial Conservation Reserve is located in the geographic Township of Stafford, in the municipal Township of Laurentian Valley, and in the geographic Township of Westmeath, in the municipal Township of Whitewater Region, in the County of Renfrew.

Silver Creek Peatland – This 281-ha provincial Conservation Reserve is located in the geographic Township of Algona, in the municipal Township of Bonnechere Valley, in the County of Renfrew.

Snake River Marsh – This 213-ha provincial Conservation Reserve is located in the geographic Township of Bromley in the municipal Township of Admaston/Bromley, in the County of Renfrew.

Westmeath Bog – This 43-ha provincial Conservation Reserve is located in the geographic Township of Westmeath, in the municipal Township of Whitewater Region, in the County of Renfrew.