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- calendar_today November 3, 2026
Ontario Announces Major Investment in Bruce Trail Expansion
On October 30, 2026, the Government of Ontario announced a $1 million investment through its Species Conservation Program to support the transformation of the former Talisman Mountain Resort into the Talisman Forest Nature Reserve. The project is set to permanently add a new 1-kilometre section to the Bruce Trail, Canada's oldest and longest marked footpath, furthering access to outdoor recreation and strengthening habitat protection for species at risk.
Talisman Resort Site Becomes Conservation Hub
The former Talisman Mountain Resort, located near Kimberley, closed its doors in 2011 and subsequently remained unused for over a decade. In 2025, the Bruce Trail Conservancy acquired the 123-acre (50-hectare) property, paving the way for its restoration as the Talisman Forest Nature Reserve. The site will now play a pivotal role in enhancing conservation efforts along the Niagara Escarpment, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
Restoring Habitat and Public Access
Led by the Bruce Trail Conservancy, the land securement and restoration initiative will involve the removal of former ski lift and resort infrastructure. Efforts will also focus on reforesting slopes, closing forest canopy gaps in Beaver Valley, and carrying out invasive species removal and long-term habitat stewardship. When completed, the project will improve public access to nature and further establish protected corridors for species at risk.
Partnerships and Funding
The Ontario government is providing its $1 million investment to the Bruce Trail Conservancy through the Ontario Land Trust Alliance (OLTA), joining private donors in supporting this project. Over the past five years, the Species Conservation Program has provided OLTA with more than $12.5 million, empowering local organizations to implement lasting conservation projects province-wide.
Supporting Biodiversity and Recreation
Todd McCarthy, Ontario’s Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, called the Bruce Trail "one of Ontario’s greatest natural treasures," emphasizing the project's potential to protect natural heritage and stimulate tourism economies. The addition of the Talisman Forest Nature Reserve is expected to leave a lasting legacy by expanding protected lands and enhancing free public use of the nearly 900-kilometre Bruce Trail, which runs from Niagara to Tobermory. Currently, over 70 per cent of the trail lies on permanently protected land.
Species Conservation Program Achievements
Ontario has significantly increased annual funding for species at risk initiatives—from $4.5 million to $20 million—to support conservation projects throughout the province. In 2025-26 alone, the program funded 46 initiatives, including 15 new and 31 ongoing projects.
The ecological benefits of Ontario's protected lands exceed a billion dollars annually, supporting biodiversity, safeguarding drinking water, and contributing to recreation and tourism-based economies.
About the Bruce Trail Conservancy and Niagara Escarpment
The Bruce Trail Conservancy is one of the province’s largest land trusts, focused on protecting habitat and biodiversity along the length of the Niagara Escarpment. The escarpment itself stands as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, reflecting the global significance of the region’s natural heritage and biodiversity.
Related coverage
Source: news.ontario.ca.
