Simcoe County Forests - One of the primary roles of the County Forests is to provide for a range of passive recreational pursuits for county residents and tourists alike. Many studies have shown substantial benefits to the health and well-being of those who spend time in our natural environment; be it more active pursuits or simply enjoying nature. The Museum Tract is located adjacent o the Simcoe County Museum and it provides an easily accessible opportunity for residents to enjoy these benefits close to home.
The trail is well maintained and family friendly. Parking is available on Anne Street or behind the museum. The caches along the trail are hidden slightly off the beaten path to avoid detection by muggles, but the bushwacking is easy.
The County of Simcoe executed a controlled burn on 30 hectares (74 acres) of County Forests within the Museum Tract in the fall of 2018. Fire is a critical element for the renewal of some forest types. Due to the ecological benefits of fire, controlled burning is widely used by forest managers to help in the renewal process. This controlled burn will serve multiple purposes such as:
- Reducing fire risk on the site by burning debris in a controlled manner
- Clearing debris to allow for reforestation
- Supporting the release of nutrients to improve growing conditions for target species
- Helping to reduce some of the non-native invasive species currently on site.
- Burning reduces the seed and subsequent re-growth of scots pine, one of the non-native species which needs to be eliminated to achieve desired results
The Museum Tract controlled burn is a key step in preparing the site for a significant forest restoration and habitat creation project on the property being led by the County. The restoration involves the removal of existing vegetation (largely non-native/exotic plants and trees) and re-planting of approximately 160,000 native trees. In addition to the significant tree planting effort, the site will be over-seeded with a mix of native plant and shrub seeds to establish a diverse ground cover.
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