Dahl Forest: A Natural Retreat

Dahl Forest, a 500-acre (202 hectares) nature reserve, is located in Haliburton County, approximately 5 km south of Gelert, Ontario. It features 2.7 km of the Burnt River. The Haliburton Highlands Land Trust protects the diverse habitats and species found within the forest.In the early 1950s, William Dahl purchased the land, which was then abandoned farmland with depleted soil and dilapidated fences. The Dahl family planted over 100,000 trees, including Red and White Pine, White Spruce and Larch, which covered approximately 40% of the property. The remaining acreage was left to regenerate naturally. In 2009, the Dahl family donated the property to the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust through Environment Canada's Ecological Gifts Program.The forest features seven named trails, totaling approximately 5 km in length. These trails wind through forests, wetlands and open areas, and are bisected by the Burnt River. Visitors can enjoy hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, birding, plein air painting, and photography. The trails are well-marked with directional signposts and colored diamonds.Dahl Forest is home to diverse flora and fauna, including moose, deer, and various bird species. The Common Sanddragon, one of the rarest dragonflies in Canada, was found here in 2011. The forest also provides habitat for uncommon plant species such as Turtlehead, Blue Vervain, and Swamp Milkweed.