Happy Valley, King, Ontario

Happy Valley is a sparsely populated ecologically-sensitive area located in King Township, Ontario, Canada.

Ecology

Happy Valley Forest

Happy Valley Forest is a 6.48 square kilometre provincially-significant ecological area, classified as an "Area of Natural and Scientific Interest" by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.Cite web|url=http://nhic.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/nhic/areas/areas_report.cfm?areaid=1285|title=Natural Areas Report: HAPPY VALLEY FORESTS|publisher=Government of Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources|accessdate=2007-08-07] It consists of an upland forest on steeply rolling topography, various wooded swamps, and minor wetland areas (wet meadows, thickets and cattail swamps). A few small kettle ponds are also present.

Located on Ordovician bedrock over the Oak Ridges Moraine, the forest attains elevations between 122 to 152 m, increasing westward. The majority of the area is composed of overburden of ice-contract stratified drift of sand, gravel and silt of varying origin (kame, outwash or collapse). Soil types in the forests are predominantly pontytool sandy loam; Brighton sandy loam, King clay loam (southern and western steep areas), and bottomland (along stream banks) are present in small areas.

The upland forest is dominated by Sugar Maple in most areas, and Sugar Maple and American Beech in others, though species such as Paper Birch, White Ash, Eastern Hemlock, Black Cherry and Red Oak are found throughout. The eastern portion is instead dominated by Red Maple and Red Oak, interspersed by American Beech, Paper Birch, Eastern Hemlock and Largetooth Aspen.

In the valleys of this forest can be found Largetooth Aspen with White Birch, Red Maple and occasional Beech, Red Oak and Trembling Aspen. Moreover, several kettle depressions and small kettle ponds are present in the area.

Supporting over 100 bird species, and numerous other wildlife species, the Happy Valley Forest is recognized for its size and the presence of various rare species.Cite web|url=http://www.natureconservancy.ca/pdf/happyvalleyforest_backgrounder.pdf|title=Background: Protecting Happy Valley Forest on the Oak Ridges Moraine|publisher=Nature Conservancy of Canada|accessdate=2007-08-07] Native and rare species includeCite web|url=http://www.natureconservancy.ca/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5661&news_iv_ctrl=0&abbr=on_ncc_&JServSessionIdr004=foilbffky1.app6a|title=Birds of the Happy Valley Forest|publisher=Nature Conservancy of Canada|accessdate=2007-08-07] :

* "Acadian Flycatcher" (endangered)
* "Hooded Warbler" (threatened)
* "Red-shouldered Hawk" (vulnerable)
* "Cerulean Warbler"

Note that the status of the species listed above is for Canada only.Cite web|url=http://www.sis.ec.gc.ca/ec_species/ec_species_e.phtml|title=All Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species|publisher=Environment Canada|accessdate=2007-08-07] None of these species is currently facing global extinction.

Happy Valley Infiltration Area

The Happy Valley Infiltration Area is the source for the "Happy Valley Tributary", which merges with the "Schomberg River".Cite web|url=http://nhic.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/nhic/areas/areas_report.cfm?areaid=10255|title=Natural Areas Report: HAPPY VALLEY INFILTRATION AREA|publisher=Government of Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources|accessdate=2007-08-07] It has an area of 9.45 km².

Politics

In addition to the politics of the Oak Ridges Moraine, Happy Valley Forest faces a number of political and social issues. Since the late 1990s, ATV use throughout the forest became a concern, both because the vehicles create noise, and because they cause damage to various plants; some indigenous plants are in danger of extirpation, while similar, hardier invasive species take over their habitat. To address the issue, in 2007 the township passed a bylaw mandating that all concession roads in the forest be closed,Cite web|url=http://yorkregion.com/News/King/article/40686|title=Big smiles for Happy Valley growth|publisher=Metroland Media Group Ltd.|last=Willoughby|first=Serena|date=2007-08-01|accessdate=2007-08-07] and erecting fences around the propertyCite web|url=http://www.kingsentinel.com/news/2007/0801/Front_Page/002.html|title=Creeds donate 30 of their acres in Happy Valley|first=Bill|last=Rea|publisher=The King Township Sentinel|date=2007-08-01|accessdate=2007-08-07] to eliminate access to ATVs.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada has a long-term goal to protect 500 acres (2 km²) of Happy Valley Forest. It has currently protected over convert|300|acre|km2|1Cite web|url=http://www.fightingforcanada.ca/feature4.html|title=Protector - Happy Valley Forest|publisher=Nature Conservancy of Canada|accessdate=2007-08-01] via land purchases, land donations and conservation easements.Cite web|url=http://www.natureconservancy.ca/site/PageServer?pagename=on_ncc_work_projects_happyvalleyforest1|title=Happy Valley Forest|publisher=Nature Conservancy of Canada|accessdate=2007-08-07]

ee also

* the article on ATVs has a discussion about the use of ATVs in environmentally sensitive areas, and their potential effects in these areas.

References