The Lathrop Nature Preserve is located in Pelham and is part of the the Fonthill Sandhill Valley. In 1998 the richly wooded property was generously donated to the Nature Conservancy of Canada by Dr. D. Whiting and Margaret Lathrop.

The forest cover on this property helps protect the Twelve Mile Creek, which supports the last remaining brook trout population in the Niagara Region. This property also protects species of Carolinan trees which are now considered rare in Ontario.

From St. Catharines

Highway 406 south from St. Catharines to Hwy 20

Right (west) on Hwy 20

Right on Park Lane at the Marlene Stewart Streit Park into parking lot

From Welland:

Highway 58/Canboro Road to Hwy 20

North on Hwy 20

Left on Park Lane into parking lot for the Marlene Stewart Street Park

Click here for a PDF map showing trails and access points, courtesy the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

The Lathrop Nature Preserve is on the upper valley slopes and therefore has varied woodlands from dry forest to damp areas due to the large groundwater seepage zones. This groundwater serves as the headwaters for the Twelve Mile Creek, which is the most southerly coldwater creek in Ontario.

It plays host to the Carolinian Life Zone and includes such species as hooded warbler, butternut, American chestnut and prefoliate bellwort. This area plays host to an unusual concentration of large tulip-trees.

Visitors are welcome to the preserve which is accessible from the Marlene Stewart Streit Park and the John Nemy Trail.

Birdwatching

Botanizing

Photography

Walking

The Lathrop Nature Preserve and Marlene Stewart Streit Park are in the residential and commercial heart of Pelham with nearby restaurants and unique local shops.

Carolinian Canada Big Picture Network: Niagara Region. Scroll down to Fonthill Sandhill Valley. Information from this website used for this page.

Nature Conservancy of Canada, Lathrop Nature Preserve.

Volunteers Help Maintain Pelham's Lathrop Preserve. The Voice of Pelham. April 22, 2009.

Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC)

Lathrop Nature Preserve
Marlene Stewart Streit Park, 55 Park Lane
Fonthill, Ontario
L0S 1E0 Municipality Town of Pelham

Annie Benko
Conservation Volunteer and Intern Coordinaor
Nature Conservancy of Canada
36 Eglinton Avene West
Suite 400
Toronto, Ontraio
M4R 1A1
Tel (416) 932-3202
Toll free 1-800-465-0029
Website http://www.natureconservancy.ca/site/PageServer?pagename=ncc_main

Carolinian Forest