Along the Plantation Trail at Huron Natural Area reveals a story from recent history. Initially, European settlers used this land for farming, and old foundations from former farm buildings are still visible. After the farms were abandoned, a large project in the 1950s planted rows of pine trees on the empty fields. A walk on this trail shows the history of both the old farms and the forest planted as a replacement.

This history creates current challenges for the park. The pine trees planted in the 1950s are getting old, weak, and are easily harmed by storms or disease. Because all the trees were planted at once, the plantation is not considered a healthy, diverse forest. The thick canopy of old pines blocks sunlight from reaching the ground, preventing sub-canopy vegetation to grow.

This situation presents a complex management question that asks how to create a sustainable ecosystem while honouring the history of the site.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Please take a moment to respond to the questions, and feel free to react or respond to what others have shared.

1. What Does "Honouring the Past" mean?
2. What should be done with the old stone farm foundations? Should we clear the area to display them with signs, or just let nature cover them over time?