Waterfall Nature Reserve in Thorne 
Quebec: A potential OFNC study 
area and excursion site 
Ian Huggetl 
I would like to make available an excursion site with interesting life science features 
to OFNC members. I would also like to determine if there is any interest from 
OFNC members in enhancing this future excursion site situated in Thome Quebec. I 
am currently negotiating the purchase of 98 acres of forested land 20 km north of 
Shawville in Thorne Centre. The property is a one and a half hour drive from 
Ottawa. 
The purpose is to create a private nature reserve. The woodlot is comprised of semi- 
mature spruce and Balsam Fir in low lying areas and Sugar Maple in upland sites. 
There is an old square log barn and log cabin on the property. Almost half the 
property is wetlands—mostly beaver meadow serviced by a creek and small 
waterfall. There are numerous wetlands with open water on adjoining lots. There is 
a heron rookery on another private lot about 2 km away on Marais a Percy-Tubman. 
Thorne is the least populated municipality in the Pontiac and thus its landscape 
remains the most remote. The property was settled by conscientious objectors to the 
Vietnam War in the 1970s and was later abandoned. The surrounding landscape is 
characterized by thousands of acres of dense mixed forest and wetlands in hilly 
terrain with elevations comparable to those in Gatineau Park. However, unlike 
Gatineau Park the area is devoid of tourists. Two kilometers away is 450 acres of 
pristine crown land surrounding Nelson Lake which is dominated by magnificent old 
growth Sugar Maple and Eastern Hemlock. (Unfortunately this land was recently 
handed over to the municipality to be logged—but for now it remains untouched and 
contains numerous hiking trails). 
To help establish and legitimize this land as a Nature Reserve in an area dominated 
by logging and hunting, I need to acquire and erect an infrastructure characteristic of 
a nature reserve or conservation area. 
This is where member of the OFNC can contribute. I am looking for the following 
donated (used) items: 
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