Plants and Animals on the Property
The Pine Ridge Wildlife and Environment Foundation Inc. is pleased to have Certified Arborist Ken Fosty explain the ecological significance of the plant and animal life on the property.
An Arborist's View
This property previous belonged to Mr Daniel Ritchie who was a lifelong nature lover and promoter of wildlife. He contacted me for advice on enhancing the property and a woodlot management plan was prepared at that time. This property was once part of a gravel excavation site and Mr Ritchie purchased a portion of the property and enhanced it through a variety of restoration methods including pond terracing, trail establishment and tree/shrug planting. Mr Ritchie's objective was to enhance the property for wildlife habitat. On September 10, 2011 Mr Ritchie passed away leaving the property to his registered charity Pine Ridge Wildlife and Environment Foundation Inc. A director of this foundation contacted me for input once again, into the continued management of the woodlot.
This woodlot is approximately 55 acres in size and much of the property is beautiful with bountiful wildlife and nature viewing opportunities. The area is comprised of a blend of deciduous and coniferous trees, a variety of berry produced shrubs, meadow areas, reclaimed gravel pits and wetland areas. A well-established train system is in place. May of these trails intersect and encircle the woodlot making it very accessible. Thousands of tress have been planted during the past twenty-five years. Tree planting for restoration, soil retention, shelter, privacy, wildlife travel corridors and wildlife habitat were key recommendations contained in the management plant that I prepared.
The property is unique in many ways. It is comprised of the following tree/shrub species:
There are excellent wildlife populations throughout the woodlot. The woodlot has many snag/cavity trees that provide excellent habitat for birds and mammals. Numerous nest boxes and nesting platforms have been constructed.
The Pine Ridge Wildlife and Environment Foundation Inc. is interested in continuing Daniel's legacy of care and respect for nature. The Pine Ridge Board Members are interested in developing a resource management strategy that will allow the utilization of the education and recreational potential of the woodlot while maintaining its health and vigor. The woodlot will be used primary as an educational/recreational area with emphasis on wildlife enhancement, site restoration and nature development.
Submitted by Ken Fosty, Certified Arborist, 2014.
This woodlot is approximately 55 acres in size and much of the property is beautiful with bountiful wildlife and nature viewing opportunities. The area is comprised of a blend of deciduous and coniferous trees, a variety of berry produced shrubs, meadow areas, reclaimed gravel pits and wetland areas. A well-established train system is in place. May of these trails intersect and encircle the woodlot making it very accessible. Thousands of tress have been planted during the past twenty-five years. Tree planting for restoration, soil retention, shelter, privacy, wildlife travel corridors and wildlife habitat were key recommendations contained in the management plant that I prepared.
The property is unique in many ways. It is comprised of the following tree/shrub species:
- trembling aspen
- balsam popular
- white spruce
- Colorado blue spruce
- black spruce
- Manitoba maple
- bur oak
- acute willow
- sandbar willow
- diamond willow
- hawthorn
- American elm
- Siberian elm
- chokecherry
- rose
- potentilla
- red osier dogwood
- honeysuckle
- strawberry
- raspberry
- crabapple
- Scots pine
- Brandon pyramidal cedar
- eastern white cedar
- sea buckthorn
- buffaloberry
- American hazelnut
- beaked hazel
- green ask
- caragana
There are excellent wildlife populations throughout the woodlot. The woodlot has many snag/cavity trees that provide excellent habitat for birds and mammals. Numerous nest boxes and nesting platforms have been constructed.
The Pine Ridge Wildlife and Environment Foundation Inc. is interested in continuing Daniel's legacy of care and respect for nature. The Pine Ridge Board Members are interested in developing a resource management strategy that will allow the utilization of the education and recreational potential of the woodlot while maintaining its health and vigor. The woodlot will be used primary as an educational/recreational area with emphasis on wildlife enhancement, site restoration and nature development.
Submitted by Ken Fosty, Certified Arborist, 2014.