In the early 1800's, Simcoe County was richly endowed with valuable forests composed of both softwood and hardwood
species. To the early settlers however, the forests were simply an impediment to farming and vast areas were cleared and
burned. The first timber barons saw the forest as an inexhaustible supply of timber and estimated that there was enough
pine to last 700 years. Unfortunately by 1900, there was little timber left to cut in Simcoe County, and once richly
forested areas became virtual wastelands.
Fortunately, a number of key individuals recognized the need to repair the damage done to the environment, and the
concept of reforestation grew. With the purchase of 1,000 acres of wasteland in Vespra Township, the County of Simcoe
entered into the first Agreement Forest in Ontario in 1922. The property formed the original portion of the Hendrie
Forest which exists today.
Simcoe County Forests are now the largest and one of the most productive municipally owned forests in Ontario, totaling
over 30,000 acres. They provide a multitude of benefits to the county including protection of wildlife habitat and water
resources, public education and recreation, scientific research and production of wood products. County Forests are
distributed throughout the County in tracts ranging in size from 7 to over 3500 acres.
The actual container is small and contains only a log book and pencil. You might want to bring your own writing instrument.
