However, the Montfort Woods are indispensable: "Under the ownership of the NCC these lands will never be built upon and will be designated a 'National Heritage Area', the most protective designation in the Plan for Canada's Capital."
City of Ottawa Planning and Environment Committee, 29 June 2004. Subject: Official Plan and Zoning - 701-711 Montreal Road..."The property is presently designated General Urban Area and will be amended to Natural Urban Features. Lands designated Natural Urban Features are natural landscapes that include woodlands, wetlands, watercourses and ravines. The existing natural environment on site consists of a core, mature woodland that is exceptional within the former City of Ottawa due to the large average tree size, area of cover, abundance of wildlife nesting sites and diversity within sub-canopy trees."
"Aerial photographs from 1928 indicate that the core sugar maple portion of the Woods has never been cleared. The Woods are also interesting from a landform perspective. A portion of the elevated plateau within the site, where the limestone bedrock is exposed, shows a well-developed karst topography...This natural landscape provides a valuable contribution to biodiversity and wildlife habitation in the urban area to be enjoyed by Ottawa residents and others. The NCC has acquired these lands and wishes to use the Woods for conservation, educational, interpretation, scientific and passive leisure uses."
3.2 The affected parcel of land consists of a core of marginal woodland area that includes Sugar Maple, Beech, Ash, Basswood, and Norway Maple over limestone bedrock. The applicant, the National Capital Commission wishes to protect this woodlot for future generations.
Street signs on the Experimental Farm
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| The unprotected Arboretum Woods.A Kenneth Leong photo from September of 2015. |
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