2 3 The South Huron Trail MacNaughton-Morrison Trail The The South Huron Trail is an eight-kilometre, all- The MacNaughton-Morrison season trail that winds through the scenic Ausable River Section of the South Huron Valley. This accessible trail links MacNaughton Park in Trail is four kilometres long. This South Exeter, Ontario and Morrison Dam Conservation Area all-season trail passes through (MDCA), at 71108 Morrison Line, just two kilometres towering hardwood and pine (km) east of Exeter. The South Huron Trail combines the forests, skirts along the Ausable Huron MacNaughton-Morrison and MDCA trail sections. River, and gives a bird’s eye view of Thanks to trail the river valley at several lookouts. loops of different Lookouts, including the tree-top boardw­alk, lengths (2 km; 4 km; or provide scenic vistas of the forest, river valley, or golf Trail 8 km), you can spend course. Benches allow you to pause and enjoy the 20 minutes or two sights and sounds of nature. Education kiosks identify Exeter, Ontario hours enjoying nature. Morrison Dam Conservation Area the birds and animals that call the corridor home. The trail is home to many community events and The trail includes Stirling Bridge and Jones Bridge. charitable fundraisers. It attracts thousands of people to the area and it provides many health benefits. Location of MacNaughton Park MacNaughton Park, in Exeter, Ontario, is where you Trail Markers find the start of the MacNaughton-Morrison Trail. The There are 40 trail markers placed park is located at 62 MacNaughton Drive. A parking lot is every 200 metres along the trail for 8 km. located at the end of Hill Street, near these coordinates: Locations are on the maps in this brochure. N 43° 21’ 16.911” • W 81° 28’ 46.338” These markers are helpful ways to stay Morrison Dam Conservation Area aware of where you are on the trail. You Shaded, accessible nature trails surround may also use them to find plants and sites Morrison Reservoir (Morrsion Lake) for hiking, running, of interest. birdwatching, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and nature The Ausable River appreciation. The 30-acre lake, two kilometres east of Exeter, is a favourite spot for family fishing. Thousands There’s more than meets the eye in the Ausable of people use the conservation area for recreation River. The river begins in Perth County, near Staffa, each year. Hiking and fishing are the main activities. and enters Lake Huron at Port Franks. The river winds Be aware of and follow Ontario fishing regulations. through some of Canada’s best farmland and was Morrison Dam Conservation Area (MDCA) is the focal point of many towns and villages through owned and operated by Ausable Bayfield Conservation settlement times. If you look closely, you’ll discover a Authority (ABCA). highly diverse aquatic community that has historically supported more than 85 fish species, 26 species of Location of MDCA Trail freshwater mussels, and more than 21 reptile species. This variety of aquatic life makes the Ausable River The start (trailhead) of the Morrison Dam one of the richest watersheds of its size in Canada. Conservation Area Section of South Huron Trail is at 71108 Morrison Line, RR 3 Exeter, near these coordinates: Forests along the trail help improve and protect water quality here and downstream in three ways: N 43° 21’ 35.12” • W 81° 27’ 27.395” Tree roots hold the soil and prevent erosion; trees provide shade that cools the water; and leaves falling Washrooms into the river help sustain aquatic life. Privies are located south of Morrison Reservoir Health • Recreation • Nature People who live in the Ausable River watershed do (Morrison Lake), along the Morrison Dam Conservation their part by keeping contaminants out of streams and Area Section of the Trail. These restrooms are marked on Welcome to South Huron Trail drains; conserving soil; planting trees; and preserving, the map in this brochure. Washrooms in MacNaughton – Beautiful in all seasons enhancing, and creating wetlands. Park are available seasonally. 5 4 Flora and Fauna 6 History The South Huron Trail is a great place to find and The former Ausable River Conservation learn about flora (plants and trees) and fauna (birds and Authority, Ontario’s first conservation authority, other animals). was formed in 1946. Protection of life and South Huron Trail • 62 MacNaughton Drive • Exeter, Ontario property from flooding remains a key role for The trail offers excellent habitat because it provides three essential elements for wildlife – food, water, and Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority today. Contacts: ABCA owns more than 9,500 acres of land in the shelter. Check out the education kiosks along the trail watershed for conservation purposes. to find out more. Ausable Bayfield Conservation Construction of Morrison Dam and Morrison The South Huron Trail is within the Ausable Phone: 519-235-2610 • Toll-free: 1-888-286-2610 Reservoir (or ‘Morrison Lake’) began in 1956 and River Valley. The headwaters are near Staffa and the E-mail: [email protected] was completed by 1959. The dam was built to river enters Lake Huron at Port Franks. The variety of Websites: ensure water supply for the former Exeter Canning aquatic life makes the Ausable River one of the richest factory. The dam is not used for that purpose now watersheds of its size in Canada. Ausable Bayfield Conservation: abca.ca but the conservation area has become a thriving The river, trees, birds, County of Huron: huroncounty.ca lake ecosystem. Ausable Bayfield Conservation and wildlife, along the Municipality of South Huron: southhuron.ca Authority continues to run and maintain the dam. South Huron Trail, make southhuron.ca • southhurontrail.com The MacNaughton-Morrison Section of the this an ideal setting for a abca.ca/recreation/southhurontrail nature trail. It’s also one South Huron Trail was constructed between 2002 Most of the MacNaughton-Morrison Trail and 2004 through a community partnership that of the best places to meet the area’s unique white is on private property and this project is only included Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority; possible because the landowners allow the trail to Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation; Exeter squirrels. You may also encounter beavers and cross their properties. Please show your respect by Lions Club; Municipality of South Huron; local staying on the marked trails. Thank you. landowners; and other donors, including service other animals. organizations, businesses, and individuals. Check The trail provides Please keep this brochure or pass it on! out the entrance kiosks for funding partner logos. health, recreational, and That helps to save paper, save money, and reduce waste. social benefits and also The 75-metre Stirling White Squirrel nature appreciation. This brochure was first created, by volunteers, as a project of the Bridge spans the Ausable River mid-way between community committee, in 2014, for the Tenth Anniversary of the MacNaughton Park and Birds MacNaughton-Morrison Section of the South Huron Trail. Morrison Dam. Stirling The South Huron Trail is a great place to see or hear The addition of water quality protection information was made Bridge was created with a number of bird species. They include: possible thanks to County of Huron Clean Water Project support. Stirling Bridge funding from Ontario Trillium Blue Jay Foundation and a family memorial donation. Eastern Screech Owl For more information on water quality, The name comes from Scottish history. Great Blue Heron forest conditions, and wetland cover Generous in the Upper Ausable Watershed visit: Green Heron community donors abca.ca/watershedreportcard and volunteers raised Northern Oriole Jones Bridge more than $300,000 Red-winged Blackbird to build Jones Bridge, Rose-breasted Grosbeak downstream of Morrison Dam, in 2018. This new Warblers pedestrian bridge links the two sections of the South Huron Trail. The bridge allows trail users to Record birds you saw on trail: safely cross the Ausable River without having to walk along Morrison Line. The bridge is dedicated by Donna Jones, in loving memory of Ted Jones. Also built, thanks to a family donation, are the Brian Clarke memorial stairs, near the bridge. Green Heron Photos courtesy Bonnie Sitter; David Bishop; Jim O’Toole; Ausable Bayfield Conservation 8 9 7 Donations Have a Safe Visit CAUTION: These are nature trails. Trail surfaces and We hope you enjoy the MacNaughton-Morrison and boardwalks may be slippery or uneven. Be especially Morrison Dam Conservation Area careful during windy, wet, and icy conditions. sections of the South Huron Trail. • Wear appropriate clothing, footwear, and The trail is maintained for your enjoyment, thanks equipment for your preferred trail activity. to your donations. You can donate to the trail online or • Stay away from fast-flowing water. Woodlands directly to Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation. • Ice conditions on Morrison Reservoir and Charitable gift receipts for income tax purposes are Exeter Dam are not monitored. Trees you may find along the South Huron available for donations of $20 or more. Talk to Ausable Trail include hardwood forests, plantations, and Bayfield Conservation about gift certificates to support Rules for Morrison Dam C. A. and valleyland trees. Tree species here include: the trail as a novel way to buy a community-minded green gift for ‘that person who has everything.’ MacNaughton–Morrison Trail Basswood Rules protect the environment, you, and your Beech and Blue Beech Exeter Lions Club, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation, Municipality of South Huron, and other fellow users. These rules must be followed and are Black Cherry community-minded citizens, businesses, and groups enforced under the Conservation Authorities Act and Black Maple fund the trail. It took more than half a million dollars to Trespass to Property Act. Refer to signs and entrance Hemlock create the MacNaughton-Morrison trail. This was raised kiosks for permitted and prohibited activities. Ironwood through generous donations and in-kind contributions. • The property is closed to the public between White Pine Continued fundraising is needed to maintain South sunset and sunrise. Huron Trail. Donate now and help support fundraising • Motorized vehicles, motor boats, horses, hunting, Plants so people can continue to enjoy the health, recreation, alcohol use, and camping are not permitted. You may find wildflowers along the trail social, and economic benefits of this accessible trail. and other plants such as Chokecherry (Prunus Reflect, enjoy nature, and remember loved ones at • Campfires are permitted only in the one fire pit in virginiana). (Did you know some parts of the the Woodland Reflection Shelter pavilion, shown on the the open area near Morrison Dam fishing docks. chokecherry are poisonous?) map, near the trail entrance off Morrison Line. • Dogs must be on a leash, under control, and you Be careful of Poison Ivy during your hike. must clean up after your dog. Hopefully most of the plants you find will lead to South Huron Trail Mobile • Ensure your pet does not damage or interfere more pleasant encounters such as: The South Huron Trail with vegetation or wildlife and does not interfere Mobile gives people with Astor/Aster (Asteraceae) with others’ enjoyment. limited mobility the chance Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum giganteum) to enjoy nature along the • Do not remove or damage plants, trees, wildlife, Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) trail. There is no charge. signs, or structures. False Solomon’s Seal Continued public donations • Stay on trails. Respect neighbouring landowners. (Maianthemum racemosum) make the service possible. • Fishing is permitted in compliance with Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) Volunteers drive this modified electric golf cart, applicable legislation. Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) giving people who could not otherwise walk the trail • Don’t litter. Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) the opportunity to experience it. Contact Ausable Bayfield Conservation at 519-235-2610 or toll-free Red Trillium (Trillium erectum) Red Trillium Trail Etiquette at 1-888-286-2610 to book your ride. (Rides are • Share the trail. Keep on the right, pass on the left. Trillium (Trillium, Wakerobin, Tri flower, Birthroot) subject to weather and volunteer availability). • Be a safe cyclist. Cycle slowly, give right-of-way (Did you know that pink trilliums are just more The Trail Mobile was created in 2006, thanks to a mature white trilliums? ) donation from the family of the late Gordon Strang. to hikers, use a bicycle bell to warn hikers, be Wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) In 2018, a South Huron Community Grant, from cautious at curves, and wear a helmet. At the water’s edge and in the marshy areas, Municipality of South Huron, combined with a donation Please report vandalism and incidents to the cattails, sedges, and rushes grow. from Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation, made Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) it possible to acquire and equip a new Trail Mobile. at 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610.