10 Reasons to Visit Wye Marsh

13 May 2016

Triggered by warm spring rains, black and yellowish-orange spotted salamanders awaken from their hibernation, and emerge from beneath the soil to forage for food and breed in shallow vernal pools to a chorus of American bullfrogs and toads. Spring has finally sprung in the Wye Marsh wetlands. April’s warming air beckons to all living creatures, including humans.

For hundreds of years, spring’s arrival could also be marked by the appearance of the Wyandot or Huron people gliding across the serene waters of Georgian Bay in birch bark canoes. The canoe is an important theme in Canada’s cultural identity that continues to traverse the waters of time. 

Incomparable Adventures and Experience

There are 10 excellent reasons why you and your better half or family should plan an excursion to the Wye-Marsh Wildlife Centre this spring:

• It’s an unforgettable educational experience. For adults, students, and children, our aim is to educate through a series of interactive and engaging outdoor programs to foster a greater understanding of and appreciation for our environment, and why it is essential that we protect and preserve it.

• Celebrate Canadian heritage with memorable, engaging exhibits. While you don’t want to miss the incredible opportunity to learn about the culture of the canoe and take a guided tour through the marsh in a voyageur-style canoe, we also host several exhibitions and programs focused on Canadian heritage and nature throughout the year.​

• You’re supporting the conservation of Ontario’s natural habitat. Like all wetlands across Canada, the Wye Marsh is a crucial habitat for a broad range of wildlife, insects, and plants that sustain our ecosystem. They are critical to providing us with clean drinking water, and can help mitigate the impacts of climate change.

• You’ll wow your kids. Nothing will excite your child and leave an indelible mark on him or her that they’ll remember for a lifetime than the chance to get up close and personal with nature. In addition to thrilling your kids by visiting us for a few hours, enroll them in one of our day- or weeklong camps to learn about reptiles and amphibians, explore over 25 kilometres of wilderness trails, and cross our marsh channels by canoe or kayak.

• You can take a guided ecotour. There’s no better (or fun) way to explore the Wye Marsh than by taking one of our naturalist-led ecotours. Available throughout the year, experience the rugged, natural resplendence of Georgian Bay’s southern shores on foot, or by canoe or kayak.

•  It’s the Home of the Trumpeter Swan. The beautiful, majestic trumpeter swan is North America’s heaviest living bird, and it’s native to Ontario. This gorgeous waterfowl’s diet almost consists entirely of aquatic plants, they mate for life and raise their young together, and can live for up to 30 years. Nearly driven to extinction by hunting and habitat loss in the early 20^th century, trumpeters have been making a gradual comeback. In 1982, biologist Harry Lumsden founded the Ontario Trumpeter Swan Restoration Group, which spearheaded the bird’s comeback. We have been a partner of the Group since its inception.

• There are scenic hiking and biking trails. Walk, hike, bike (or cross-country ski in the winter) more than 25 kilometres of wooded trails for experienced bikers, or casually cruise along our paved Tay Shore Trail. Don’t have a bike? No problem. You can rent one of ours.

• There’s a free Birds of Prey Show on Sundays. For hundreds of years, hunters treading across and around the Wye Marsh relied on birds of prey, aka raptors, to hunt other animals. Enjoy our free Sunday matinees to learn more about these remarkable birds, or take a deeper, more personal dive into the fascinating world of owls and hawks for a riveting Raptor Experience. Have you ever held an owl or hawk on your arm? Here is your chance to do so!​

• Get close to several reptile and amphibian species. The marsh is home to many reptiles and amphibians you can see and learn about including snakes, turtles, salamanders, frogs, toads, and more.

• There’s an active honey beehive to explore. You’re sure to get a buzz out of our active honey beehives. Learn how honey is made, and taste and bring home the delicious, healthy, golden, liquid Wye Marsh honey to enjoy.

After you’ve taken in as much as you can, don’t forget to visit the nature-inspired Marsh Memories Gift Shop located inside the Interpretation Centre, and take something home with you to mark the experience.

Did you know the Wye Marsh has the four types of wetlands recognized in Ontario and is designated as a Provincially Significant Wetland by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources? Sign up to receive our free monthly “Marsh Matters Newsletter” to learn more about the Wye Marsh.

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