The natural habitat on the property contains native Carolinian woodland and Great Lakes coastal wetland.

Only three per cent of the land in Essex County is protected, which is the least of any region in Ontario.

Wendy Cridland, NCC Program Manager for Southwestern Ontario, notes, "The Armstrong property was purchased in December 2009 as a result of a large fundraising effort. The land is very important from a strategic perspective – as a provincially significant wetland it is an especially exciting opportunity to connect up to existing coastal wetlands."

One third of the area, which is at the mouth of Cedar Creek, is forested and part is now under cultivation. It also contains significant areas of natural wetland. Now that the land is protected the goal is to allow the agricultural section to return to natural woodland, allowing for expansion of existing natural Carolinian species such as Shagbark Hickory, White Ash, Red Oak, Red Maple, White Oak, American Elm and Hop Hornbeam.

The proximity of the property to other similar properties managed by the Essex Region Conservation Authority (who will own and manage the Armstrong Property) provides an even greater area of habitat for several species at risk: the Purple Twayblade (an orchid), the Eastern Fox Snake and the Cerulean Warbler.

The new property will strengthen the connectivity of natural habitat in the region, a critical factor for wildlife survival.

Southwestern Ontario supports species typical of the Carolinian Life Zone, which has a higher diversity of plant and animal life than any other region of the country.

The ninth annual Gifts to Canadians is part of NCC's ongoing efforts to celebrate and conserve Canada's biodiversity from coast to coast. It is help by the Federal Governments $225-million Natural Areas Conservation Program, which is expected to result in the long-term protection of more than 2,000 square kilometres of ecologically sensitive lands across Canada.

Every year the NCC gives a gift to each province. The Nature Conservancy of Canada's special package of properties from the breadth of Canada is intended to raise awareness of partnership efforts to safeguard disappearing wildlife habitat.

Gifts to Canadians details: www.natureconservancy.ca/Gifts2010

Above photo of Cerulean Warbler by Bill Hubick