Mac Johnson Wildlife Area Master Plan

An aerial view of the north part of Mac Johnson Wildlife Area.

Also on this web site are copies of our concept maps.

Executive Summary

The Wildlife Area

Visitors to MJWA come from two separate populations: those within walking distance of the property and those from further afield. Because the neighbouring residences are primarily south of Centennial Road, visitors who arrive on foot primarily use the trails south of the reservoir. Visitors from further away are more likely to drive into the Debruge Road entrance and use the northern trails.

The population using MJWA, like the population of Ontario, is growing and aging. Local development, currently occurring south of Centennial Road and along Highway 29, is expected to continue.  Aging trends are also expected to continue over the next twenty years.  MJWA, with its passive recreation favoured by older populations, will continue to be valued for its trails and nature experience as the population ages.  This master plan accommodates these trends.

The property serves six primary functions:

• It provides important woodland, meadow, wetland, and open water habitat for almost 600 plant species, over 160 bird species, and a multitude of other fauna.
• The dam and reservoir provide flood control for the City of Brockville.
• The property is home to the Eastern Service Centre for maintenance of all CRCA properties and water control structures in the eastern portion of the Cataraqui region.
• Its trails and facilities provide passive outdoor recreation opportunities.
• Environmental education programs are offered from the property.
• Wildlife enhancement projects such as the Trumpeter Swan Restoration Program are supported at MJWA.

Through the master planning process, it was identified that these functions are most important to stakeholders and should be enhanced and supported over the next twenty years.  The steps recommended to enhance these functions are outlined below.

The Master Planning Process

At that meeting, stakeholders developed the following Draft Vision Statement for MJWA:

Mac Johnson Wildlife Area will continue to be appreciated as an important place, with significant intrinsic natural and cultural heritage values, which provides control of water flows at Buells Creek. The wildlife area will continue to afford valued opportunities for outdoor activity, focusing on appropriate recreational pursuits and environmental learning experiences, healthy living and care for the environment. The local community and visitors to the property will continue to collaborate with the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority in the stewardship and protection of the Mac Johnson Wildlife Area.

A public open house was held to discuss conceptual plans for MJWA on December 1, 2005.  Three concepts were proposed at the open house:

• Northlands Growth (development northwest of the reservoir);
• Southlands Growth (development south of the reservoir); and
• Status Quo (no significant development). 

Stakeholders were asked to rate these options and/or offer their own concept, including combinations of the above. They were also encouraged to offer specific comments on the property and its future management.

Property Management Plan

To retain the status quo with limited northlands development and specific alterations to enhance the property. 

Priority was placed on the retention of all of the six primary functions of the property. As a result, maintenance of existing features (trails, buildings, wildlife habitats) directs much of the management plan. Habitat protection includes continuing to minimize access to both the northeastern portion of the property and to habitats for Species at Risk and Species of Special Interest. 

In addition to maintenance, the specific alterations to be made to enhance the property within the next 20 years are as follows.

Improvements to Trails

• Rationalizing trails
• Improvement of MJWA trail access points through completion of the fencing along Centennial Road and connections to the Brock Trail
• Construction of benches and picnic areas along southland trails
• Extension of Trail 5 east to the canoe access point; and
• Restriction of bicyclists to southland trails

Improvements to Facilities

• Construction of a new Nature Centre (Building #4 on Figure 3) nearer to the main parking lot
• Use of the existing Nature Centre (Building #5 on Figure 2) as a storage facility
• Construction of an addition onto the south side of the Workshop (Building #1 on Figure 2)
• Sale of the Rental Property/Boardroom (Building #2 on Figure 2)
• Removal of the existing washrooms (Building #4 on Figure 2) following construction of the new Nature Centre with insulated bathrooms that can be accessed from outside the centre
• Construction of a new Skating Warming Hut (Building #6 on Figure 2)
• Consolidation of parking lots along Centennial Road

Retention and Enhancement of Wildlife Area Features

• Hosting volunteer and/or staff BioBlitzes in all four seasons and on an on-going basis every few years
• Minimizing the negative impacts of the likely upgrading of Centennial Road to an arterial standard. Steps to be taken will include:

1. shrub and tree planting along Centennial Road;
2. CRCA involvement in municipal planning of lighting, crosswalks, and stormwater management; and
3. monitoring and addressing the impacts of the road upgrade

• Investigating and addressing concerns regarding degradation of the wetlands surrounding the beaver pond
• Monitoring water quality in the reservoir and beaver pond to accomplish the following:
  • determine both baseline levels and trends in the reservoir and beaver pond
  • identify water quality issues
  • evaluate whether eutrophication is occurring

In addition, the following will be undertaken within the duration of this master plan:

• Identification and promotion of partnerships and partnering projects
• Completion of a Marketing and Financial Feasibility Study
• Enhancing recognition of MJWA

An implementation schedule and relative costs for the above-listed projects are presented in the final two sections of Mac Johnson Wildlife Area Master Plan.

To view a complete copy of the Master Plan click here.

Contact information

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Contact Us:
P.O. Box 160, Glenburnie, Ontario, Canada K0H 1S0
Telephone: (613) 546-4228
E-mail: crca@cataraquiregion.on.ca

©2006 Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority