Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation receives 350 acres of land to be protected in perpetuity 

Westermain Woods Inc. has donated lands located on the west side of Lake of Bays, consisting of two parcels of land.

One of the parcels is Needler’s Point with 14.6 acres and 740 feet of shoreline. The other is 334 acres of forested land that lies to the west of South Portage Road.  Westermain Woods is a biologically rich, undeveloped natural area that plays a critical role in supporting biodiversity.

Field investigations have documented over 244 species on site, including seven Species at Risk, one provincially tracked species, and two regionally rare species —highlighting the site’s importance as a stronghold for species conservation, according to the Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation. For many years, private landowners have maintained the forest in a natural state, and in 1994, the District of Muskoka identified Westermain Woods as a Muskoka Heritage Area. 

In 1977, Westermain Woods was incorporated as a non-profit organization with board membership made up of the owners of the seven adjacent waterfront lots. The corporation’s sole mandate was to care for and protect the two parcels of land. A Managed Forest Plan was in place, and an easement gave the owners exclusive access to the use and enjoyment of the protected lands. 

Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation will retain the existing goals and objectives of the current Management Plan, keeping the land in its current undeveloped state. An easement will provide the seven lot owners with access to the land, and the name Westermain Woods will be retained. The land will only be accessible by ecologists for scientific study and for monitoring purposes. The Foundation may occasionally hold nature events led by qualified naturalists.

“We are very grateful for the donation of Westermain Woods,” said Mark McLean, Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation Director of Natural Heritage. “It is a great addition to the Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation’s conservation properties, doubling in size the protected acres we own and manage.” 

“This year Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation celebrates its 40th year as a conservation organization,” said President Margaret Casey. “Since Westermain Woods is the oldest conservation property on Lake of Bays it seems fitting to have this acreage under our care, to be protected in perpetuity,” she added.

From the Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation 

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