Woodlots on Campus

Hiking path within woodlot on campus

York University is fortunate to have over 10 hectares of recognized woodlots on the Keele Campus. Home to a diverse array of wildlife and vegetation, these forest remnants are a beloved part of the campus character and provide exceptional wildlife habitats, and recreational and educational opportunities for the YorkU community. Since the establishment of the Keele campus in the mid-sixties, campus master plans have sought to protect these ecological features.  

The four woodlots (Boynton Woods, Danby Woods, Boyer Woods and Osgoode Woods) are singled out as Open Space Areas of importance in the City of Toronto York University Secondary Plan. Both the Osgoode and Boyer Woods are part of the City of Toronto’s Natural Heritage System, while the Pond, Boynton and Danby Woods are included in the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority Terrestrial Natural Heritage System Strategy. 

Students explore woodlot

Our woodlots contain dozens of tree species, such as the Silver Maples of Boynton Woods, the Sugar Maples of Danby Woods, and the Dry-Fresh Deciduous Forests of Boyer and Osgoode Woods. This diversity creates a rich habitat for local wildlife and migratory birds in the midst of the built environment.

Policies for the protection, maintenance and restoration of these areas include the development of a comprehensive Renaturalization Plan that guides the growth of wildlife corridors connecting the woodlots and protective buffers against adjacent development lands. The document also requires that the updated Master Plan detail ongoing stewardship programs to maintain the health of the woodlots.

Proposed York University Natural Heritage System (credit: LGL Ltd.)

Committing to its responsibilities in protecting the woodlots, the York University Development Corporation contracted LGL Ltd. Environmental Research Associates to complete a thorough Natural Heritage Report for the Keele Campus. The report proposes a revised version of the York University Natural Heritage System (above) that includes the four woodlots, the Black Creek/Hoover Creek valley corridor and cultural meadow and meadow marsh communities. Recommendations are made to protect each woodlot with a 10m buffer between natural areas and proposed development, and to establish 3m buffers where development has already occurred. In order to restore their ecological integrity, the report also states that the University should mandate ongoing environmental management plans.

Tree-lined buffer along woodlot edge

Because these woodlots are on the periphery of campus, they are little known to many campus users.  Do you have a woodlot experience to share?  Have you used the woodlots for school projects or assignments? How would you like to see our woodlots protected?