Ball’s Falls
Ball’s Falls
Lincoln, Ontario
Binbrook
Binbrook
Binbrook, Ontario
Chippawa Creek
Chippawa Creek
Wellandport, Ontario
Long Beach
Long Beach
Wainfleet, Ontario
Rockway
Rockway
Lincoln, Ontario
Beamer Memorial
Beamer Memorial
Grimsby, Ontario
Binbrook Tract
Binbrook Tract
Binbrook, Ontario
Canborough
Canborough
Dunnville, Ontario
Cave Springs
Cave Springs
Lincoln, Ontario
Comfort Maple
Comfort Maple
Fenwick, Ontario
E.C. Brown
E.C. Brown
Welland, Ontario
Gainsborough
Gainsborough
Fenwick, Ontario
Gord Harry Trail
Gord Harry Trail
Port Colborne, Ontario
Hedley Forest
Hedley Forest
Haldimand, Ontario
Humberstone Marsh
Humberstone Marsh
Port Colborne, Ontario
Jordan Harbour
Jordan Harbour
Lincoln, Ontario
Morgan’s Point
Morgan’s Point
Morgans Point, Ontario
Mountainview
Mountainview
Beamsville, Ontario
Mud Lake
Mud Lake
Port Colborne, Ontario
Port Davidson
Port Davidson
West Lincoln, Ontario
Ruigrok Tract
Ruigrok Tract
Haldimand, Ontario
Shriners Creek
Shriners Creek
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Smith Ness
Smith Ness
Niagara Falls, Ontario
St. Johns
St. Johns
Fonthill, Ontario
Stevensville
Stevensville
Fort Erie, Ontario
Two Mile Creek
Two Mile Creek
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Virgil
Virgil
Virgil, Ontario
Wainfleet Bog
Wainfleet Bog
Wainfleet, Ontario
Wainfleet Wetlands
Wainfleet Wetlands
Wainfleet, Ontario
Willoughby Marsh
Willoughby Marsh
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Woodend
Woodend
Woodend, Ontario
Woolverton
Woolverton
Woolverton, Ontario
Wainfleet Wetlands
Conservation Area Strategy
The NPCA is developing a Conservation Area Strategy to guide the delivery and enhancement of the programs and services it offers on its conservation areas, and inform future policies and management plans. Your participation is key to the success of this project. GET INVOLVED TODAY!
Once covered by a shallow, warm sea 300-450 million years ago, what is now the Wainfleet Wetlands Conservation Area was the site of a clay and limestone quarry from the late 19th century until the 1960s. Fossils of the plants and animals that lived in the Paleozoic sea can be seen in the exposed limestone of the Onondaga Formation, in the quarry walls and on rock tableland.
Purchased by the NPCA in 1978, today the quarries and clay pits have naturalized and are home for fish, birds, waterfowl, turtles, snakes and plants. Unique alvar communities of rock-loving plants also thrive in the shallow soils.
This Conservation Area is a natural area and helps fulfill the NPCA’s objective to further the conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources, as it is managed to provide habitat for fish and wildlife and to preserve the geological significance of the site, while providing passive recreational and educational opportunities.
The site contains the best exposed fossil and viewing area of geological formation and fossils (ancient marine lifeforms) in the Niagara Peninsula, highlighting species that lived 380- 450 million years ago in the shallow warm saltwater sea of the Michigan Basin that covered the site. Tilobites, crinoids shellfish and corrals can be seen.
This important property is home to a variety of unique and significant habitats including: alvars, prairie, cliffs, provincially significant wetlands, upland forest, low shrub areas and open water and streams. It contains terrestrial and aquatic habitat, supporting waterfowl staging areas, and is home to a number of birds (passerine, raptors waterfowl), mammals, fish, turtles, snakes, frogs, toads, and salamanders.
This wetland is unique as it attracts a large variety of bird species, with over 50 different confirmed sightings. Yellow Warblers are the most common, and wading and shorebirds are plentiful as are Great Blue Herons, Egrets, Gulls, Terns, and Sandpipers. Guests may also encounter Bald Eagles, Northern Pintails, Northern Shoveleers, Mallards, and more.
Wainfleet Wetlands is a Bronze Plaque Award winner for quarry rehabilitation work with the Management of Abandoned Aggregate Properties Program, awarded for efforts to increase wetland development and habitat cover for improved diversity and function in the landscape.
For information on hunting at this site, please visit npca.ca/administration/hunting-application.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
WAINFLEET WETLANDS CA RULES & REGULATIONS
- Conservation area may only be accessed during posted operating seasons and hours
- Wainfleet Wetlands, also known as 'The Quarry' is accessible year round for passive recreation such as walking, birdwatching and nature photography
- This property is not designated for active recreation such as swimming, camping or bonfires
- Conservation areas may only be accessed by designated entrance points, do not trespass private property to obtain access
- Dogs must be on a leash at all times
- Pets are not permitted to enter waters designated for swimming, or access beach areas
PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES
- Littering
- Destruction, damage or removal of plants, wildlife or rocks
- Abuse, insults or threats to staff and other visitors
- Excessive noise or disturbance
- Hunting, horseback riding and off-road vehicles
- Camping, wading, bathing and swimming is prohibited
- Use of boats
- Fires and campfires
WAINFLEET WETLANDS CA RULES & REGULATIONS
- Conservation area may only be accessed during posted operating seasons and hours
- Wainfleet Wetlands, also known as 'The Quarry' is accessible year round for passive recreation such as walking, birdwatching and nature photography
- This property is not designated for active recreation such as swimming, camping or bonfires
- Conservation areas may only be accessed by designated entrance points, do not trespass private property to obtain access
- Dogs must be on a leash at all times
- Pets are not permitted to enter waters designated for swimming, or access beach areas
PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES
- Littering
- Destruction, damage or removal of plants, wildlife or rocks
- Abuse, insults or threats to staff and other visitors
- Excessive noise or disturbance
- Hunting, horseback riding and off-road vehicles
- Camping, wading, bathing and swimming is prohibited
- Use of boats
- Fires and campfires