Location: City of Hamilton, formerly Ancaster, west of Lynden
George Amaolo who generously donated the Amaolo Nature Sanctuary to the HNC
Date of Acquisition: November 2010
Area: 39 acres (16 hectares)
Description:
The Amaolo Nature Sanctuary is forested or regenerating, both naturally and aided by Mr. Amaolo who has planted thousands of native trees and shrubs. Long-term protection and naturalization of the property will strengthen the ecological connection between nearby natural areas. The property is gently rolling upland to flat valleyland and includes two seasonal
Amaolo Nature Sanctuary, Photo Sandy Turner
streams and one larger stream, which was channelized around 1940. All of the streams are tributaries of Fairchild Creek, within the Grand River Watershed. Over the last 19 years efforts have been made to return the channelized stream to a more natural flow and to create improved habitat through adjacent pools and overflow channels. The southwest part of this valley includes a well established natural riparian vegetation community which continues downstream to the southwest. Five on-line ponds are present in the seasonal stream valleys.
History:
The Amaolo Nature Sanctuary was created in 2010 through a generous donation by George Amaolo who wanted to ensure his land was permanently protected. The HNC will be working to restore abandoned fields at the sanctuary to a natural state, following the naturalization precedent set by Mr. Amaolo. We are grateful to Mr. Amaolo for his generosity and patience with the donation process and value the faith he has in our ability to care for the land.
Ecological Significance:
The property provides both terrestrial and aquatic wildlife habitat and serves as a wildlife corridor. It also provides habitat for the endangered American Chestnut and the Red-headed Woodpecker, a species of Special Concern listed under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act. The property is located less than 100 metres from the western part of the Lynden South Woods Environmentally Significant Area (ESA). This ESA is also the source of the southern seasonal stream which crosses the property. The lands southeast of the main valley and north of the northern seasonal stream valley include several areas that have been planted with native saplings, including American Chestnut obtained through the Canadian Chestnut Society.
Management and Access:
The Sanctuary Land Trust Committee, through a volunteer property steward, coordinates ongoing volunteer management and monitoring of the nature sanctuary. The management priority is committed to the long-term protection and restoration of the sanctuary to a natural state. The club has undertaken some inventory work and hopes to prepare a management plan for the sanctuary by 2011. Until the management plan is completed, no public access will be permitted.
