The Voice of North Grenville
The Voice of North Grenville
www.ngtimes.ca www.ngtimes.ca
Reaching by direct mail 8,500 homes and businesses in North Grenville
ngtimes.bsky.social August 28 , 2025
Vol. 13 No. 33
The FFC: From Forestry Roots to Community Green Space Stewardship site Ferguson Forest Disc Golf Course (spring–fall) • Kemptville Winter Trail and Arboretum Toboggan Hill (winter) • The Giving Garden and Community Food Bank Garden • Kinderwood Trail enhancements, chickadee houses, and nursery pest deterrents The Friends of the Ferguson Forest Centre, a volunteer group rooted in nature appreciation and support for the Centre, have strengthened community connections through birding, fungi, and medicinal plant walks, and coordination of the volunteer Trail Tender program. These initiatives foster deeper appreciation of the forest’s ecological value. As the primary steward and decision-making body responsible for managing these public lands, the FFC welcomes constructive collaboration from individuals and groups who share its vision of conservation, sustainable access, and long-term protection of the Centre’s Ferguson Forest and the adjacent recreational lands. Every tree grown not only supports •
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August 28, 2025
by Sarah Herring The Ferguson Forest Centre (FFC) marks its 25th anniversary this year: a milestone in a local success story rooted in environmental stewardship and community commitment. Originally established as the G. Howard Ferguson Forest Station, the site played a vital role in Ontario’s reforestation efforts: growing tree seedlings for Crown and private lands, addressing erosion, and promoting sustainable forest management. As part of a provincial network of forest stations, it also supported silvicultural trials and public education. When the Ontario government closed the station in 1996, it seemed the end of an era. In 2000, thanks to local vision and initiative, the Ferguson Forest Centre
was reborn as a private, not-for-profit corporation. Its mission: carry forward the forestry legacy through continued tree seedling production and forestry education, while using proceeds from the tree nursery to manage and maintain the forest and recreational lands for public benefit and enjoyment. Today, the Ferguson Tree Nursery produces over 1.5 million seedlings each year, supporting afforestation and ecological restoration projects across Ontario. The FFC has also evolved beyond its traditional forestry roots into a forward-focused forest stewardship role — guided by ecological science, conservation, and preservation. Through careful management, the FFC oversees:
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Over 800 acres of forest 22 km of public trails The Ferguson Arboretum — a growing public collection of native and ornamental trees A leash-free dog park Veterans Memorial Park Anniversary Park Partnerships with local organizations, schools, Indigenous representatives, and the Municipality of North Grenville have helped bring additional features to these spaces, including: Mino-jichaagmtigwaaki (Good Spirit Forest) — an Indigenous cultural
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