MANOTICK, May 2, 2024 – Forests are full of stories, and now Baxter Conservation Area has added another in the form of a permanent Storybook Trail. 

Thanks to a generous grant from the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF), a series of displays now dot the popular and accessible Fiddlehead Trail, beginning at the Interpretive Centre. Each case offers a single page of the featured story, allowing families to read together as they move along the trail. Fun activities and challenges that relate to the story also encourage kids to dive deeper into the natural world around them.

“This is such a wonderful addition to our trail network,” said Baxter Site Supervisor Andrea Wood. “Any way we can engage families while getting them outside in nature is a huge win for everyone.”

The Storybook Trail’s first featured book is A Log’s Life by Wendy Pfeffer, which follows the fate of an oak tree that has fallen in a storm. As the giant log slowly returns to the soil, new life springs forth in its place. 

“The book ties in perfectly with what kids will see happening in the forest around them as they walk the trails,” Wood said. “It’s another way to spark their curiosity about the natural world.”

The Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation helped facilitate the TD FEF grant after a temporary version of the Storybook Trail was installed during the COVID-19 pandemic to safely engage families on site. It proved extremely popular.

“We are so thankful to TD Friends of the Environment for their ongoing support of our outdoor education programs,” said Foundation Director Diane Downey. “Kids are the future, and our partners are helping us invest in them.”

The Storybook Trail’s featured book will change with the seasons. The trail is open dawn to dusk year-round. Parking is $8 per day or $55 for an annual pass. 

Learn more about Baxter Conservation Area and plan your visit: https://www.rvca.ca/conservation-areas/fee-required/baxter