Dahl Forest
You have probably heard by now that my family has decided to make a donation of our Dahl Forest property to the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust.
The Forest is a 500-acre private conservation area south of Gelert with 2.7 kilometres of waterfront on the Burnt River.
It is to be turned over to the Land Trust later this year, pending government approvals and creation of an endowment, and preserved in perpetuity as a wilderness conservation area.
This was an easy decision – for us there is no real alternative; for more than 50 years we have maintained Dahl Forest as a conservation area. To lose it to development or any other purpose would be unthinkable.
My father, William Dahl, was a successful businessman man in Lindsay when he purchased the property. He came from Sweden, a country that places a high value on social responsibility and conservation.
Sweden has been nurturing forests, practicing forest ‘farming’ and sustainable forestry for generations.
In the 1950s the Dahl Forest property, like much of the more settled parts of Central Ontario, was at a crossroads.
Small farming operations were very much in decline – the land around here is not rich soil, and industrialization was changing the economy so that farming here was a losing proposition.
Young people were fleeing to industrial centres in droves and life on most local farms was more and more a life of poverty.
The land had been practically farmed to death. My childhood memories of Dahl Forest are memories of open grassland interspersed with bare sand and gravel pits, barbed wire fences, smooth rock outcrops and alder swamps.
You could stand near our entrance gate and see for miles. There were very few trees larger in diameter than your leg on the entire 500 acres. Cattle wearing bells roamed about, grazing wherever they could find something edible.
What a change today!
Over the years we planted more than 100,000 trees. Fortunately my dad had the money to do it, because we got precious little help. We had to buy the seedlings, hire local folk to help plant and purchase a tractor and tree-planting machine.
Most people thought he was absolutely crazy! Trees were for cutting down, not growing up. Land had to be made ‘usable’ – reverting it to wilderness was a concept that ran counter to tradition and common sense.
Like it or not, Canada was built (and to some extent is still building itself) on the exploitation of natural resources. It has been fundamental to our political, legal, economic and social systems to take what we can get from the land.
Land is ‘rich’ or if not it is ‘wilderness’. Forests are ‘productive’, ready to be ‘harvested’, or else they are ‘bush’. Once used up, lands become ‘wasteland’ – and we move on.
Fortunately, in the last century there were a few in government with the foresight to preserve some wilderness areas as federal or provincial parks.
But the thought of private individuals doing such a thing was almost unheard of. The concept of a ‘private park’ would be thought an oxymoron.
Well – we persevered, and although small, Dahl Forest has matured into a glorious wilderness park.
Natural mixed forest blends in with the plantations. Some of the tiny trees that we stuck in the ground are almost as big around as I am.
Almost every animal and plant species native to this area now thrives there. More recently we have discovered that some species at risk of extinction have found sanctuary there.
My family and I are at the same time humbled by, and proud of what we have achieved. There can be no thought but to preserve Dahl Forest as a conservation area for all time – something we cannot do by ourselves.
It will soon pass to you, those of you who appreciate the value of wild places and find solace in the wonders of nature.
We look forward to working with you to do nothing, nothing but leave it alone and protect it, enjoy it - taking nothing but pictures and leaving nothing but footprints!
The Land Trust will need to raise a significant amount of money to cover the acquisition costs and set up an endowment fund for the future management, maintenance and stewardship costs of the property.
About 1990, my mother, Peggy, and I were involved in the founding of the Haliburton Highlands Field Naturalists as a way of bringing together people who shared her interest in the woods, wildlife and bird-watching.
We brought together a few friends and put together a small ad in the Echo, hoping for a turnout of 10 or 15. Instead, the meeting was packed.
Well, here we go again. The HHLT must now build up an endowment fund for the preservation of the Dahl Forest.
Time again to pitch in, seek out those who care about conservation and wilderness retreats, those willing to give back and invest in leaving something alone for future generations.
NOTE – Fundraising events and personal appeals will take place over the coming months. For more information about the Dahl Forest, please visit their web site or call the Land Trust at 754-2532.
Last Updated: Jul 6 2009 5:42:07 pm.
Photo: Lyn Winans
Did You Know...
Norah’s Island was donated by Bruce Carruthers to the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust to honour the memory of his late wife. The Carruthers owned the island for 32 years. Find out more about Norah’s Island.
