How can we guarantee the long-term protection of the Thickson's Woods Nature Reserve?

Thickson’s Woods Land Trust is a charitable organization with a mandate in our charter to maintain the area as a nature reserve and "to protect the flora and fauna" in perpetuity. Since many donations have been given in good faith for this express purpose, we are legally bound to ensure that the land is maintained in its natural state as outlined in our charter.

As for the long-term future of the property, we have discussed the question many times. A couple of options are: to turn ownership over to some wider conservation organization, provincial or national, that could ensure protection; or to maintain ownership, but put what is called a conservation easement on the property, restricting uses so that it can never be anything but a nature sanctuary.

Who are the current members of Thickson's Woods Land Trust's board of directors?

Otto Peter, President, Oshawa
Margaret Bain, Past President, Cobourg
Dan Shire, Vice President, Scarborough
Brian Steele, Treasurer, Brooklin
Margaret Carney, Secretary, Whitby
Dennis Barry, Director, Whitby
Carol Horner, Director, Toronto
Dianne Pazaratz, Director, Oshawa
Rayfield Pye, Director, Oshawa

What do members of the TWLT Board of Directors get as compensation for being on the board?

Board members serve as volunteers with no monetary compensation for doing so. They spend many hours doing whatever needs to be done to preserve and protect Thickson's Woods. TWLT has no paid staff.

What do board members get in return for their efforts?

The same thing as donors and other non-board volunteers - the satisfaction of knowing that they are helping to protect a vital link in nature's chain, that they are making a difference and leaving a priceless legacy for future generations. Board members were committed financially as well as emotionally to the recent compaign to purchase the meadow. They contributed more than $58,000 to the fund out of their own pockets, and believe it's one of the best investments they’ve ever made in the future of planet Earth.

Why aren't dogs welcome in the nature reserve?

Hermit thrushes, wood thrushes and ovenbirds are just a few of the many birds that feed on the forest floor, scratching among the leaves and pine needles. Male woodcock display in clearings in the meadow, impressing females that nest nearby. Mallards and gadwall conceal their clutch of precious eggs in the grasses there, where baby cottontails hide. Both milk snakes and garter snakes sun themselves on the paths and ridges. They all need peace and protection.