November 3, 2020
Location and Significant Features: Epping, Grey County
The Kimbercote property is a scenic nature reserve that includes features typical of the Beaver Valley and Niagara Escarpment. A trail on the property runs from east to west along a steep gradient climbing upward toward the western boundary. The trail goes through a regenerating field dominated by young white ash and scattered red maple, black cherry, and apple. The trail continues across a small stream and ends at the base of a mature mixed forest. This area leads to a valley where a tributary of the Beaver River flows across the land and onto adjacent properties. If you continue north along the forest line, you can connect to the Bruce Trail which follows an unopened road allowance on the northern property boundary.
In 2016 a biological assessment of the property reported several bat species, some at risk, that use this property as a feeding ground in the evenings. This property provides a safe area for these species to thrive and will continue to support these populations with the help of EBC and Elephant Thoughts.
The Eastern Meadowlark and Bobolink have been observed in the regenerating fields on the land. Both species are grassland, ground-nesting birds and are designated as Threatened in Ontario.
The Kimbercote property used to be a retreat centre for many years run by Caledon Contemporaries before the buildings at the front were sold to Elephant Thoughts and the rear 74 acres donated to EBC.
How do I get there?
From Flesherton on Hwy 10 go east on #4 to 313 and then north to Kimberley where you proceed north on Concession Rd. 7 to Epping. Make a right down the hill to the bridge over the Beaver River, and go north to the first intersection. Park and follow the road allowance about 400 m west to the EBC signs where you are free to walk west on the property or south to the fence line.
