Renfrew County Forest

08/06/2026

Most Renfrew County Forest tracts have a history. Buck Hill has a legend.

For generations, people in the Ottawa Valley have shared stories about the “Buck Hill Ghost” — mysterious lights said to drift through the hills and forests around the tract at night. Depending on who you ask, the lights are everything from lanterns to lost travellers to simple tricks of fog and reflection. Like all good local legends, the details tend to change with each telling.

Whether you believe the story or not, Buck Hill certainly has the atmosphere for it. Winding forest roads, rocky ridges, cedar swamps, towering plantations, and deep stretches of quiet forest give the tract a character all its own. It’s the kind of place where imagination comes easily, especially on a misty autumn evening.

Beyond the legend, Buck Hill is also a fascinating forest. Much of the tract was reforested decades ago, and today those plantations are gradually transforming into more diverse mixedwood forests. It’s a place where you can see both natural succession and active forest management shaping the landscape over time.

And as for the Buck Hill Tract sign? We don’t put one up anymore… because somehow, they always seem to disappear.

Coincidence? You can decide for yourself. 👻

County of Renfrew Killaloe Hagarty Richards

01/06/2026

🌲 The Draft 2027–2036 Forest Management Plan for the Renfrew County Forest is now available for public review and comment.

The Renfrew County Forest spans 6,540 hectares across 54 separate properties throughout the County. This updated plan outlines the objectives, strategies, and operational direction for the sustainable management of these forests over the next 10 years, from January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2036.

We invite residents, forest users, neighbours, and anyone with an interest in the Renfrew County Forest to review the draft plan and share their feedback during the 60-day comment period, which closes on July 31, 2026.

View the Draft Forest Management Plan here:
https://arcg.is/11v1ai2

A comment intake survey is included at the bottom of the webpage.

Thank you for your continued interest in the Renfrew County Forest.

County of Renfrew

Draft 2027-2036 Forest Management Plan for the Renfrew County Forest

01/06/2026

We know we aren’t supposed to have favourites, but… the Brudenell Tract is a pretty special place.

It has a little bit of everything: beautiful wetlands, a wandering stream, sweeping views of the surrounding hills, diverse hardwood forests, lowland and upland cedar, and red pine plantations with sugar maple regenerating beneath them. Wildlife is abundant here too — bears, in particular, seem to be especially fond of this tract. The forest floor is full of interesting plants, and reminders of the area’s homesteading past can still be found throughout the property, from old lilac bushes to scattered apple trees.

The Brudenell Tract is also a fascinating place to see how different forest management approaches influence cedar forests over time. Parts of the tract were strip cut in the 1990s, patch clearcut in 2008, and more recently treated with a selection harvest where roughly one-third of the trees were removed. Together, these areas offer an opportunity to observe how cedar responds to different silvicultural treatments across decades.

No matter the season, there is always something new to see, learn about, and appreciate in this forest.

County of Renfrew

25/05/2026

The Black Donald Tract of the Renfrew County Forest has seen some dramatic change over the past decade.

When the Calabogie Tornado swept through in 2018, it completely flattened about 11 hectares of forest in this area. Due to limited access, the damage went largely unnoticed on the ground until updated County aerial imagery became available in 2020.

The aerial image sequence below tells the story—showing the landscape in 2008 and 2014 before the storm, immediately after in 2020, and again in 2024 after six years of natural regeneration.

It’s a powerful reminder of both the impact of natural disturbances and the resilience of our forests.

Today, technology is helping forest managers keep a closer eye on the landbase than ever before. Tools like aerial imagery and drones are becoming essential for detecting and understanding changes like this—especially in remote areas.

Thanks to our GIS staff for putting together this cool comparison! Stay tuned for more on how these tools are shaping forest management in future RCF Tract Features.

County of Renfrew Township of Greater Madawaska

19/05/2026

A story from the Bielaskie Tract 🌲

Long before this forest was replanted, this land was home. In the late 1800s, a settler named John Prince made his life here in Hagarty Township, not far from Wilno—the heart of Canada’s first Polish community. Like many families of that time, the Princes worked hard to carve a farm out of the forest.

But life wasn’t easy. The soils were thin, the work was relentless, and like many early settlers, John never saw the formal title to his land. When he passed away, something unusual happened.

In 1904, the Crown granted the patent not to him—but to his daughters: Mary, Annie, Frances, Theresa, and Dorothy.

Five sisters.

Together, they inherited almost 200 acres—likely the place they grew up, worked, and knew as home. For nearly two decades, they held onto that land. But with no single heir to carry the farm forward, and life likely pulling families in different directions, the land was eventually sold in 1921 to a neighbour: the Bielaskie family.

And that’s how this tract got its name.

Today, the Renfrew County Forest has reclaimed the fields those sisters once knew. The old fences are still visible in places, but the farm has faded, and the forest has returned.

But the story is still here—quietly written in the land. From the Prince sisters to the Bielaskie family, and now to a community forest, this tract is more than trees. It’s a piece of lived history.

🌱 Next time you walk here, you’re walking through someone’s story.

County of Renfrew Killaloe Hagarty Richards

11/05/2026

Did you know the Beachburg Tract is where it all began for the Renfrew County Forest? 🌲

If you’ve ever wondered why the County owns forests, here’s the short version:

By the late 1800s, much of southern Ontario had been cleared for farming. But removing forest cover came with serious consequences—soils became depleted, sandy areas turned barren, and erosion choked local creeks and rivers with sediment.

By 1909, it was clear: these lands needed to be restored.

Thanks to Ontario's first Provincial Forester, the legendary Edmond Zavitz, in 1911 the Counties Reforestation Act was passed. This Act gave counties the authority to acquire and reforest degraded land. A decade later, the Reforestation Act (1921) enabled partnerships with the province to plant and manage these forests. The first agreement was signed in Simcoe County in 1922.

Over time, this program grew into a province-wide effort. By 1998, more than 128,000 hectares had been restored through 56 "Agreement Forests" —laying the foundation for what we now call community forests.

The County of Renfrew joined this movement in 1951, acquiring its first 90 hectares in Westmeath Township—now part of the Beachburg Tract. Land purchases continued into the 1970s, eventually building a forest base of more than 6,400 hectares.

By 2000, management responsibility fully transitioned from the province to the County.

🌱 A key difference in Renfrew County:
Unlike many southern Ontario “agreement forests,” only about 20% of the land acquired here was abandoned farmland. The remaining 80% was already forested—often heavily harvested, but still forest. As a result, much of today’s forest is now in a similar age class (roughly 60–80 years old).

From restoring degraded land to sustainably managing forests for future generations—this is the legacy that started at Beachburg.

County of Renfrew Township of Whitewater Region Beachburg Off Road Cycling Association

04/05/2026

Today's featured Renfrew County Forest is the Barry's Bay Tract in Madawaska Valley. This area was added to the RCF in 1964 and 50 acres of fields were planted shortly after.

Aside from the red pine plantations, there is some young mixedwood forest and plenty of oak-dominated forest on the beautiful rolling topography of the Wilno Hills.

We always see a lot of wildlife sign in this Tract - bear, deer, songbirds, and small mammals galore. And the neighbouring "wildlife" sometimes pass by to say hi!

County of Renfrew

27/04/2026

Today we're taking a look at Bagot Creek Tract of the Renfrew County Forest. This forest was purchased by the County in 1968. Kippens Creek runs through this Tract in Greater Madawaska.

Although a significant amount of this Tract is covered by wetlands and water, the forest area is dominated by white pine and oak. It is one of the few Tracts where we have identified white oak, in addition to our more common red oak, likely as a result of a historic forest fire.

In the future, when a harvest happens in this area, renewal work will occur to ensure that the pine and oak components are maintained, however, it's likely that some of this area will develop into old growth due to inaccessibility and challenging terrain. And that's important too - all ages, stages and types of forest are valuable for many species of wildlife.

County of Renfrew Township of Greater Madawaska

22/04/2026

This Earth Day, we’re celebrating the power of the Renfrew County Forest.

Did you know our County forests store nearly 1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in above- and below-ground tree biomass? That’s roughly equivalent to the annual emissions from over 200,000 passenger vehicles.

But the story doesn’t stop there.

Through sustainable forest management, some of that carbon is also transferred into long-lived wood products—like the lumber used in homes and buildings—where it can stay stored for decades or even centuries. At the same time, our forests continue to grow, capturing more carbon year after year.

It’s a powerful example of how responsible forestry supports climate action, while also providing habitat, recreation opportunities, and economic benefits right here in Renfrew County.

🌱 Local forests. Global impact.

05/01/2026

🌲 Sharing the Renfrew County Forest 🌲

The Renfrew County Forest is a multi-use space enjoyed by many people for many different reasons—hiking, snowshoeing, birdwatching, hunting, trapping, and spending time outdoors with family and friends.

As a reminder:

- Licensed trapping is a legal and traditional use of the forest during regulated seasons, and under agreement with the County.

- Dog owners are asked to keep dogs under control and leashed where required. This helps protect wildlife, prevents conflicts with other forest users, and keeps pets safe.

- Staying on existing trails, respecting signage, and being aware that others may be using the forest differently than you helps ensure a positive experience for all.

If you're using the RCF, please take the time to familiarize yourself with the permitted and prohibited uses as defined by our Forest Management Plan and By-Law to Prohibit Certain Activities on County of Renfrew-Owned Forests, both available on our website here: https://www.countyofrenfrew.on.ca/en/living-here/forests.aspx

By showing courtesy and understanding, we can make sure the Renfrew County Forest remains a safe, welcoming, and sustainable place for everyone to enjoy—now and in the future. 🌿

Learn about forestry, hunting and the Emerald Ash Borer within the County of Renfrew.