Landowner Leaders Profile
In 1997, Don and Marg Werden purchased a 28-acre property just west of Port Ryerse in Norfolk County. The property, consisting of gently rolling hills on clay loam soils was owned by naturalist and artist William Pope in the 1800s. Pope spent his days hunting, sketching and painting the local flora and fauna.
When Don and Marg purchased the property it had been used as farmland to grow corn and soybeans, and there were remnants of an orchard still existing in the fencerows on the property. In the spring of the year they purchased the property, they started planting Red Oak, White Oak, Sugar Maple, and Silver Maple on the west end of the property.
The fencerows contain old cherry and apple trees, which the Werdens left to provide nectar for pollinators in the spring and fruit for wildlife in the summer, fall and winter. Other berry producing shrubs and bushes began to regenerate themselves or have been planted by the couple. The fencerows also contain a number of dead trees and snags which they left standing for wildlife to use. Brush piles have been pushed up against the fencerows to provide additional shelter for a variety of wildlife.
Thanks to Long Point Region Conservation Authority and funding from Ontario Power Generation a large pond was dug and two other shallower wetland areas were installed in 2008. In 2009 reforestation of the east end of the property has continued with planting of over 11,000 deciduous and coniferous trees. Eventually this section will create a wildlife corridor between the Conservation Area to the south and the reforested areas to the west. Additionally, a wetland area has been planted with Marsh Marigolds and Blue Flag.
As the land has “returned to nature” large patches of milkweed appeared resulting in large congregations of Monarch Butterflies visiting the plants to sip nectar and lay their eggs on the thick leaves. The Werdens have observed a greater variety of species of wildlife including several mammal species, more than 70 species of birds, as well as a wide variety of insects, reptiles, and molluscs. And, although many trees have been planted and others have regenerated naturally, the area is still quite open and attracts many raptors including Northern Harriers, Red-tailed Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Kestrels, and Rough-legged Hawks. A highlight has been a sighting of a rare Eastern Foxsnake, a species at risk.
The pond has brought a number of new wildlife species to the property including Canada Goose, Mallard, American Wigeon, Wood Duck, Blue- and Green-winged Teal, and Spotted Sandpiper. As well, a large assortment of dragonflies and damselflies, a Belted Kingfisher and Purple Martins hunt over the pond. Deer, coyote, fox, rabbit and other mammals frequent the pond.
To enhance their enjoyment of the property and the wildlife that abounds there the Werdens have established flower gardens to attract pollinators, installed nesting boxes, bird feeders and watering dishes. They have also developed a network of trails on their property that they use for hiking and cross-country skiing. Marg, an avid photographer, has taken 100s of photos of the flora and fauna that abound on the property.