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The London region’s conservation authority bought a parcel of land beside Sifton Bog from two local developers, expanding the area for the public to explore.
The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority bought the 7.2-hectre property, designated as an area of natural and scientific interest by the province, from Drewlo Holdings and Auburn Developments.
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“Having this property gives us the opportunity to add a buffer between urban development to the east and the highly sensitive bog site,” Brandon Williamson, land management co-ordinator with the Upper Thames, said in a statement Wednesday.
Invasive species will be removed from the property and native trees, shrubs and wildflowers planted. The public can access the new addition to the Sifton Bog environmentally significant area – a 41.6-hectare, floating acid peat bog – through a managed trail connecting the two properties located southwest of Oxford Street and Hyde Park Road.
“It provides an excellent outdoor fitness activity and an educational opportunity for residents and those using the trail, as well as youth so they can appreciate the importance of protecting our environment,” Coun. Steve Lehman, whose Ward 8 encompasses the bog, said in a statement.
A $262,000 contribution to the purchase – the sale price wasn’t divulged – came from the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, a $1.4-billion federal fund to address climate change.
Jamie Critch, president of Auburn Developments, said the deal was a long time in the making.
“It was just a matter of how to facilitate it, so it was great that the federal government was able to help with the partnership,” he said in a statement. “It rounds out such a gem of a site that now can be managed wholly. I think that’s important for the community.”
Two new kiosks displaying a map of the trail system have been put in place near the parking lot.
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