Visiting the Munn Nature Reserve

What a treat it was to be led around a nature reserve by the man who helped plant most of the trees some 50 years ago! James Munn was a kid when his parents bought a derilect farm east of Morganston in Northumberland County. His parents had the vision to return the scrubby farmland to its natural state. Over the years they planted trees on most of their 76 acre plot of land. We were gathered today to enjoy and learn more about this stunning reserve.

As James gave us an overview of the reserve's history, I realized that I really should bring a notebook to these events. This blog post will be my impression of the property, sadly lacking in the wealth of facts from James.

The property is on the ancient shoreline of Lake Iroquois - a lake that was formed after the last ice age 13,000 years ago. Today, the only water feature is this artesian spring that is the beginning of the Marsh Creek. Imagine that! This little trickle is the beginning of a creek!

Five minutes' walking and it was this big.

Trilliums will be blooming in a day or two.

Bloodroots were looking for a bit more sun to feel comfortable opening.

And, be still my heart! Hepaticas. Wouldn't it be wonderful if there were blue hepaticas here too?

Dog-toothed violets (trout lily) provided flashes of yellow here and there.

This property just keeps giving.

Blue hepaticas!!!

There are a few distinct environments on the 76 acres. James told us about various animals and plants that call the reserve home. There is something for everyone here.

And bonus of the morning: one of the critters who call this place home - a beautiful Barred Owl! As we rustled through last year's crispy oak leaves, the owl remained still, calmly watching us.

Generosity. How one family spent 5o years re-planting and tending a parcel of land, only to give it away. Land that will benefit the Barred Owls and countless other creatures for generations to come. And, you can benefit from this reserve too!

The reserve is now open to the public and people do not have to contact Northumberland Land Trust for permission to access

Let's end our visit with a little Einstein:

“A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe,

a part limited in time and space.

He experiences himself,

his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest,

a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness.

This delusion is a kind of prison for us,

restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us.

Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion

to embrace all living creatures

and the whole of nature in its beauty.”