A project that will transform a former ski resort in Beaver Valley into a new nature reserve is getting a $1 million boost from the provincial government.
Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Todd McCarthy announced the cash on Friday for the Bruce Trail Conservancy. The money from the Species Conservation Program will support the conservancy's work to demolish the former Talisman Mountain Resort and create the Talisman Forest Nature Reserve. As part of this work, a new 1-kilometre section will be added to the iconic Bruce Trail, invasive species will be removed and habitat restored.
“The Bruce Trail is one of Ontario’s greatest natural treasures, and adding a new, permanently protected nature reserve along its route is a generational opportunity to expand on our natural heritage while breathing new life into local tourism economies,” said McCarthy. “Through the Species Conservation Program, our government is proud to support the Bruce Trail Conservancy as it restores crucial habitat for species at risk and expands public access to nature, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come.”
The Talisman Mountain Resort closed in 2011. The 134-acre property then sat empty for more than a decade before the conservancy acquired it in 2025.
"The permanent protection and ecological restoration of the former Talisman lands mark a monumental milestone for the Beaver Valley and the entire Niagara Escarpment corridor," Conservancy CEO Michael McDonald said in a statement. "This vital investment from the provincial government is a powerful testament to what can be achieved when vision aligns with conservation action. We celebrate this investment in our work and this great outcome for nature."
