Delhi residents donate property to Long Point Basin Land Trust in Memory of Louis Woytas

A generous gift from Cecilia and Joe Kiss has led to the creation of a beautiful and ecologically-diverse nature reserve on the outskirts of Delhi in Norfolk County. The gift of land was made to Long Point Basin Land Trust in memory of Cecilia’s late father, Louis Woytas. A dedication ceremony for the Delhi Wetland Nature Reserve was held on June 8th. The overhead boughs of Eastern Hemlocks provided shelter from a gentle rain and Wood Thrushes serenaded as two commemorative signs were unveiled during the dedication event with the family and Land Trust representatives.

The Delhi Wetland Nature Reserve is nestled in a steep wooded valley alongside Big Creek, immediately north of Delhi. The 12-acre property boasts a diversity of habitat types, including: an oxbow pond and sheltered wetland in the valley; a small stream which traverses the property; large White Cedars and White Pines; and, a rich coniferous-deciduous forest on the property’s steep slopes and uplands. Much of the reserve is designated as provincially-significant wetland, with the forested uplands and ravines identified as significant woodland. The property is home to a diverse flora and fauna, including many wildflowers (e.g. Wild Ginger, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Bloodroot, Turtlehead, Great Blue Lobelia, Marsh Marigold) and bird species (e.g. Wood Duck, Belted Kingfisher, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Common Yellowthroat, Wood Thrush and Rose-breasted Grosbeak).

At the recent dedication, Long Point Basin Land Trust extended its sincere thanks to Cecilia and Joe Kiss for honouring the memory of Louis Woytas so fittingly through this lasting gift to nature. The family has a deep attachment to the area and its natural values and indicated that they felt this was a tremendously appropriate way to celebrate Mr. Woytas’ life and memory. While the property is comprised of very steep and mostly inaccessible valley lands, an overlook of the property’s woodlands, stream and ravines can be viewed from the north side of the Delhi Cemetery, accessible during cemetery hours at 37 Swimming Pool Road.