On the afternoon of October 20^th 2002, the Thames Talbot Land Trust celebrated a memorable milestone with the dedication of our first property.  The 5.8 hectare (14.5 acre) Meadowlily Nature Preserve is located within the City of London - on the south side of the Thames River, between Highbury Avenue and Meadowlily Road.  The property was generously donated to the Land Trust by Carol and Rick Richardson of London.  The land had been in their family’s ownership for many years and the Richardsons wanted to ensure that the natural features of the area would be protected for future generations.  The Land Trust provided an opportunity to realize their objectives of long-term conservation and stewardship. The property, which is comprised of floodplain, open meadow and upland forest, is an integral component of Meadowlily Woods, which is recognized as an Environmentally Significant Area (ESA) by the City of London.

During the months leading up to the dedication of the property, a permanent stewardship fund was established by the Land Trust to provide for the ongoing management of the site.  This fund has been supported through contributions from a variety of sources including the Richard and Beryl Ivey Fund (a fund within the London Community Foundation), the Middlesex Stewardship Committee, the McIlwraith Field Naturalists of London and the Arcangelo Rea Family Foundation.

The Land Trust has prepared a management plan for the Meadowlily property.  Several of the site improvements that have been completed during 2003 & 2004 include:

  • a comprehensive site clean-up and removal of garlic mustard;
  • installation of signage recognizing the property donation and major contributors;
  • vegetative plantings within the open field meadow areas of the property;
  • installation of a cedar post fence and gateway entrance at Meadowlily Road; and
  • construction of a footbridge over a tributary stream that crosses the main trail.

A committee of the Thames Talbot Land Trust oversees management of the site and monitors changes over time, to ensure that any adverse natural or cultural impacts are addressed in an appropriate manner.

Butterflies at Meadowlily Nature Preserve.... click here for story

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	Click image to download a PDF (330 kb) of the Meadowlily location plan