Written By Alan Good
TRAVEL - Take a short drive west to Wyoming (Ontario, not the state) if you enjoy quiet walks in one of the local conservation areas. Lambton County has several such natural parks and maintain these to preserve the beauty of the area.
The Marthaville Habitat Management Area is owned by the County of Lambton and managed by the Conservation Authority. This area is a gravel pit rehabilitation and shows what can be done with land even scared by man. It includes wetlands, forest and tall prairie grass. A 3 KM looped trail provides an excellent vantage point to watch the development of the site into a haven for wildlife.
The Habitat Management Area is located at 4749 Marthaville Road, north of the community of Marthaville. It took us 30 minutes to walk the longest trail, including stops to view geese, ponds and a beaver dam.
Frogs croaked all along the walk as ponds sprang up on both sides of the trail. Geese settled in some pools and we viewed a large beaver dam. Not a strenuous hike by some standards, the paths do lead through trees and ponds.
If walking is not easy for you, the entire trail is flat and manageable for most. Parking is free, unusual these days. Your dog (if you have one) will enjoy the hike, ours did.
