March 24, 2022

Discover the sweet world of Ontario maple syrup and join South Nation Conservation’s (SNC) ongoing 75^th Anniversary celebrations with a visit to Oschmann Forest Conservation Area in North Dundas on Saturday, March 26^th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm!

The Oschmann Forest Conservation Area features a 1.2 km nature trail with bilingual interpretive signs that share information on maple syrup production, history, First Nations, and forest ecology. Families can visit the Forest to take part in a self-guided interpretive tour, a scavenger hunt, a healthy hike, and register for SNC’s 75 KM Challenge. SNC staff will be onsite to greet visitors with free hot chocolate and locally-sourced maple treats.

Donated to SNC by the Oschmann Family in 2017, the Forest on Ormond Road was used by the Oschmanns for maple syrup production for many years and the original sugar shack still stands to this day.

Thanks to municipal and community partnerships and fundraising, sap is again flowing from the Forest’s maple trees and the property now serves as the home for the Conservation Authority’s Maple Syrup Education Program.

Typically, over 1,000 students would be descending onto the Forest each spring to take part in the hands on, outdoor education program which supplements the Ontario curriculum, but the Pandemic has once again put a tap into SNC’s plans to bring students onsite.

Last year, through a partnership with the Ottawa Catholic School Board, SNC produced two videos to bring the sweet experience of Maple Syrup discovery to virtual classrooms, which was shared with over 30,000 students. As part of SNC’s 75th Anniversary, these resources have been shared with teachers for free, so that students everywhere can participate.

“We are encouraging families to visit the park and take advantage of a free, outdoor, and truly Canadian learning experience,” said Kelsey Smith, SNC’s Stewardship and Outreach Assistant. “The Oschmann Forest provides visitors a hands-on learning experience through the process of maple syrup production as it has evolved from First Nations discovery and traditions through to modern day production techniques.”

The Oschmann Forest Conservation Area is located at 12301 Ormond Road, about 10 kilometers north of Winchester. The March 26^th event is rain or shine.

Visit www.nation.on.ca/recreation/hikingwalking/oschmann-forest-conservation-area for more information on the Oschmann Forest and the donor family.