Ten years ago, Bayfield River Valley Trail Association led a successful community fundraising drive to acquire Bayfield River Flats; Nature area is now permanently preserved by Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy and maintained by Bayfield Trails
The year was 2016. There was a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to acquire about 1,000 feet of riverbank natural area. The Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) and a group of local volunteers saw the need to preserve Bayfield River Flats. They joined together to lead a fundraising campaign. A generous community answered the call, raising more than $70,000 to make it possible to buy the property. The property was then donated, along with an endowment, to Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy (HTLTC), to be preserved permanently.
This year, in 2026, the Bayfield and area community celebrates a decade of nature preservation and enhancement at Bayfield River Flats.
Kelly Vader is the BRVTA Chair. She said the acquisition of the nature area was possible thanks to a grassroots initiative of dedicated and visionary community volunteers supported by generous and community-minded residents of Bayfield and surrounding communities.
“This entire community of volunteers and donors should be so proud of what they accomplished ten years ago and what they have done to maintain and enhance this important property in the ten years that followed,” she said. “It really is astonishing what has been possible thanks to hard-working volunteers and generous people who donated to this project.”
Kerry Teskey is HTLTC Chair.
“Ten years of nature preservation and enhancement at Bayfield River Flats Natural Area is truly worthy of celebration,” he said. “I would like to thank everyone who has made the Bayfield River Flats Natural Area a reality. This amazing property was the second property donated to the land trust for permanent preservation. The land trust now protects five nature areas in the boundaries of the historic Huron Tract.”
Bayfield River Flats Natural Area is a parcel of river land encompassing almost five acres, on the Bayfield River, within the village of Bayfield, only a five-minute walk from Bayfield’s Heritage Main Street. It is a treasure trove of nature, including mussel species at risk, beavers, Osprey and eagles. It is also a recreational fishing destination. Volunteers from Bayfield Trails manage the property.
Working with the land trust, they have helped to keep the property clean and re-naturalize it. The nature area has become a community gem with more than 11,000 visits a year. This is thanks to a successful community partnership and the vision and determination of BRVTA, HTLTC, and community donors and volunteers.
The community effort to preserve Bayfield River Flats dates back many years. When there was a proposal, in the 1970s, to create a marina on the property, people in the community offered a different vision. They mobilized a movement to make the lands public. The movement, to acquire the land for public access, was reignited in 2016.
After the nature area was bought, cleaning up the property was a big job for BRVTA volunteers. They removed garbage including 30 tons of steel. They worked to remove invasive species such as Giant Hogweed. They removed dead Ash trees. They built and maintained trails and created parking. Hydro One donated a nesting box for Osprey.
There is always more to do to enhance the property. Since the property was acquired, the community has continued to support enhancements at the nature area. When the Highway 21 bridge, adjacent to the nature area, was being rebuilt, HTLTC worked with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to create a pedestrian walkway underneath the highway bridge, so people could walk to the nature area without having to cross the highway. To make this a reality, BRVTA undertook a fundraising drive, working with the land trust and community donors to raise $70,000 for the walkway. The community stepped up once again to donate the funds needed to complete the project in 2024.
Another improvement was a project in 2025. The Ontario Community Environment Fund (OCEF) grant gave the BRVTA a further opportunity to enhance the property. The riverbank area is dynamic and subject to erosion so BRVTA successfully applied for a grant for erosion control including an innovative design for fish habitat. The community once again stepped up to support a parallel project for a canoe and kayak launch. Building on the foundation of a significant donation by a generous community donor, the community raised the funds needed to complete the project.
To learn more about the Bayfield River Flats Natural Area, or to donate, visit the Bayfield River Flats web page. Visit the Land Trust website and the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association website to find out more.
PHOTO INFORMATION:
COMMUNITY PLANTS TREES TO ENHANCE BAYFIELD RIVER FLATS NATURAL AREA – There were about 25 people from the Bayfield and area community who came out to plant trees at Bayfield River Flats Natural Area on Sunday, May 3, 2026. The weather was wonderful and everyone had a good time while making a positive difference. Bayfield River Valley Trail Association thanked Ausable Bayfield Conservation for help with trees and technical support. “I think everybody really enjoyed it,” said volunteer Roger Lewington. “Thanks to everyone who helped to make this happen,” he said. He added that, “The Bayfield River Flats looks amazing.” (Photos by Jack Pal).