Get Yours Today!
2021 marks our 10th Anniversary and we have created a set of four commemorative stitched patches to mark the occasion.
We chose to highlight some scenic and memorable locations:
- ‘L’ Lake Management Area
- Ausable River Valley & Mystery Falls
- Lambton County Heritage Forest
- Ipperwash Dunes & Swales
The commemorative set is available for a $20 donation. Please contact Linda Attard lsntlindaa@gmail.com or 519-243-1596
2021 Memberships are now available for $15 per person or $25 per family. Our business partners have special offers for LSNT Members. Make sure to show your membership card.
Note: Purchase your membership early and get a longer time to take advantage of our partner specials. Some offers may change seasonally.
Hike all 7 Nature Trails in Lambton Shores & Vicinity and correctly answer each question to receive your FREE badge!
- Ausable River Cut Conservation Area
- Lambton County Heritage Forest
- Forested Dunes Nature Reserve
- L Lake Management Area
- Ipperwash Dunes and Swales Nature Reserve
- Mystery Falls
- Forest Trails
Accessible Picnic Tables
Accessible Picnic Tables
Accessible Picnic Tables
Two wheelchair accessible picnic tables have been added to the Heart of the Trails at the Port Franks Community Centre. The tables also have an embedded checkerboard for your pleasure. We would like to thank Ed, Walter and Ross for their participation in this project. The tables, along with the accessible chip & dust path recently installed around the tree tunnel, are a welcomed addition to community.
New Footbridge
Accessible Picnic Tables
Accessible Picnic Tables
The rain did not stop this group of volunteers who came out to help build a footbridge in the Ausable River Valley. We are thankful for their help and especially for hauling all the materials 1.7 km into the bush along some challenging trail conditions. Thanks to Winston, Terry, Trixie, Willemina, Mary Lou, John, Mike, Christine, Lee M, Ed, William, Paul and Ross.
Accessible Trail
Accessible Trail
Accessible Trail
A dedicated group of volunteers laid down a chip dust trail behind the Port Franks Community Centre. This path follows the “green tunnel” around the edge of the woods and is the third accessible path on the trails we maintain. Thanks to Walter, Dean, Byron, Jim, Lee T, Lee A, Winston, Ed, Darren, William, Jack, Gage, Tony, Paul and Ross for coming out and giving back to the community. You put in a total of 77 amazing hours to get the job done!
Accessible Trail
Accessible Trail
Closing Unwanted Side Trails
Closing Unwanted Side Trails
Closing Unwanted Side Trails
We continued our efforts of closing unwanted side trails and reducing the fragmentation of the forest. Two split rail fences were added to the trail network at the Ausable River Cut Conservation Area. Thanks to Lee T, Lee M, William, Dean, Jack, Ed and Ross for building the fences.
Rail Trail Crossing Signs
Closing Unwanted Side Trails
Closing Unwanted Side Trails
Railroad crossing signs have been installed along the Grand Trunk Trail where farm equipment crosses the trail. These signs were created by the 1999-2000 Grade 11 & 12 Construction & Technology students at North Lambton Secondary School and sponsored by the Forest BIA. They were previously located behind the Forest Library and were removed in 2020 for refurbishment. Special thanks to Brian Richardson for painting the lettering.
New Staircase
Great Horned Owl
Great Horned Owl
From concept to reality, 8 volunteers came together and replaced the tire stairs at the Ausable River Cut Conservation Area. 44 tires were removed by hand and then replaced with a hand built staircase filled with chip dust. This will allow canoe & kayak enthusiasts, fisherman and others to safely traverse the embankment. Thanks to Randy, Lee M, Ed, Mike, Phil, Lee T, Walter and Ross for their dedication and workmanship putting this together. Your willingness to donate your time to make our community better is truly appreciated!
Great Horned Owl
Great Horned Owl
Great Horned Owl
The latest addition to the carvings at the Heart of the Trails in Port Franks is a great horned owl. Created by local artist Garrett Nahdee, the owl is dedicated to the memory of Bill Niessen. Thanks to Ed, Walter and Ross for installing this beautiful piece of art.
Split Rail Fence Rebuilt
Split Rail Fence Rebuilt
Split Rail Fence Rebuilt
The split rail fence along Hwy 21 next to the Ausable River Cut Conservation Area Has been rebuilt. We added almost 70 new rails as well as picked up the garbage, branches and trimmed a 12 ft wide swath next to the fence.
Turtle Cages Installed
Split Rail Fence Rebuilt
Split Rail Fence Rebuilt
Our volunteers have installed 3 turtle nest protective cages in the Ipperwash Dunes & Swales after observing turtles laying eggs yesterday. We ask that you please watch your footing when hiking around them. Turtle nest sites of Threatened and Endangered species are protected under this legislation as Critical Species At Risk Habitats.
Closing Side Trails
Port Franks Waterway Map
Port Franks Waterway Map
Volunteers with Lambton Shores Nature Trails teamed up with Jessie and Glenn from the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority to install 13 signs in the Lambton County Heritage Forest to officially close off unauthorized side trails. The extensive trail network has severely fragmented the forest.
Port Franks Waterway Map
Port Franks Waterway Map
Port Franks Waterway Map
A Port Franks Waterway map has been installed in the Ausable River Cut Conservation Area. This will help canoe/kayak enthusiasts to familiarize themselves with the great local waterway system. Thanks to Lee M, Ed and Ross for their efforts in promoting our “Gems of Nature”.
Turtle Carving
Grand Trunk Trail Benches
Grand Trunk Trail Benches
A new turtle carving has been added to the Heart of the Trails in Port Franks. Thanks to artist Mike Newton for his wonderful work.
A huge island sat in the middle of the water and that island today is known to us as North America. Many First Nations Peoples hold special respect for the turtle who sacrificed his life so that the Earths people could have a second chance.
Grand Trunk Trail Benches
Grand Trunk Trail Benches
Grand Trunk Trail Benches
Four benches have been added to the Grand Trunk Trail. They are located opposite of the pollinator boxes for your viewing pleasure. We would like to thank the municipal staff for installing these “walker rest stops” and to the Forest Community Foundation for their ongoing financial support towards the beautification and improvements of the trail!
More Pollinator Boxes
More Pollinator Boxes
More Pollinator Boxes
Two additional pollinator boxes have been added to the Grand Trunk Trail. There are now 6 boxes to attract butterflies and bees - 5 of them have benches on the opposite side of the trail to allow walkers to enjoy the view.
Bench Rest Stop
More Pollinator Boxes
More Pollinator Boxes
Two benches have been installed at the back of the Forest Dunes property. This will give hikers a place to rest at the halfway point without having to sit on the ground with all the ticks!Because the site was 3 km from the parking area on Outer Drive, we choseto float the lumber across Mud Creek, a successful first time experience!
Reducing Fragmentation
New Galvanized Steel Handrail
New Galvanized Steel Handrail
A small crew of volunteers installed a fence and signs in the Ipperwash Dunes & Swales to officially close a side trail and reduce the fragmentation of the forest. Hikers wishing to access the trail network from Ipperwash Rd can either use Clemens Line or the entrance just west of the Carolinian Campground.
New Galvanized Steel Handrail
New Galvanized Steel Handrail
New Galvanized Steel Handrail
In the Forested Dunes, we added a new galvanized steel cable, replaced 3 posts and added a fresh coat of paint! Although this is the least used hiking trail of all the properties we work on, it is one of the most peaceful, secluded trails you can hike - protected by the massive “forested” dunes on the north side. Thanks to our volunteers - Phil, Ed, Walter, Lee T, Lee M, Ross, William, Trixie and Willemina for all their hard work!
Retainer Wall
Ipperwash Dump
Ipperwash Dump
Special thanks to the volunteers who came out to build a retainer wall at the back of the Ausable River Cut Conservation Area. This work will help slow the erosion around the bench at the top of the dune. Hikers will continue to have the opportunity to access one of the highest vantage points in Lambton County.
Ipperwash Dump
Ipperwash Dump
Ipperwash Dump
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Wilma, Marja, Martin, Kelsey and Maitland for cleaning up the old dump off Clemens Line in Ipperwash. 12 bags of trash were collected and will be disposed of properly. Their dedication to making our community a better place is very much appreciated!
Your Support Is Appreciated!
We are pleased to announce the completion of the trailhead structures in Forest and at the Port Franks Community Centre. We want to thank everyone who helped make this a reality! Come out and enjoy the trails in the area.
Please consider donating to these community beautification projects. For donations over $300, a coloured leaf with your name and a brief comment will be added to the 'Donor Recognition Tree' featured on the side-panel at either of the trailheads.