THUNDER BAY -- The Thunder Bay Field Naturalists are buying 162 hectares of land to create a nature reserve on the west side of Black Bay.
"It's a wonderful piece of shoreline property," said Susan Bryan, the naturalists' nature reserve chair.
The shoreline, to be known as the Granite Point Reserve, is home to a number of rare species including pelicans, turns, and cormorants. The lake's high fish population and and habitat along the lakeshore, Bryan explained, make it a "Mecca" for all kinds of migrating ducks and birds.
"We hope to preserve it so they can continue to use it," she said.
"There's a bald eagle nest there and they're certainly using that. We hope to leave it just as it is, as a beautiful natural area and people are welcome to use it."
Since 1990, the naturalists have acquired over 1,600 hectares of land and created 15 reserves throughout the region. Bryan said donations, endowments and grants have allowed for upkeep and expansion of targeted hotbeds of biodiversity.
"We find it's a very successful tactic. It doesn't work for everything. We can't afford to buy all land but in certain significant, small parcels where there's major conservation value... there's a lot of public support for that."
Even if all grant applications are successful, the naturalists will still need between $60,000 and $70,000 more to close the deal before spring but the $355,000 purchase got a sizeable injection from Jim and Shirley Symington. The couple donated an undisclosed amount of money that served as a solid base for the field naturalists to make the purchase.
Information on how to donate or become involved is available at http://www.tbfn.net.
