De Grassi Point on the west shore of Lake Simcoe is the last tall grass, red oak, white pine savannah remnant north of the Oak Ridges Moraine. It features the largest red oak woodland in Ontario, the largest butternut concentration in Simcoe County and a wetland of provincial significance.  

Next Monday, retired geographer Conrad Heidenreich kicks off this year’s York Geography Alumni Association Lecture Series with a talk about how this 250-acre ecosystem on Cook's Bay has been preserved and restored. 

Right: Red and white oak woodland in De Grassi Point 

The De Grassi Point property is owned in common by the descendants of Sir Edmund Walker (1848-1924). It has been designated an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest and been restored with financial support and advice from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 

The lecture takes place in 205 Accolade West Building, Sept. 26 at 7pm.

Republished courtesy of YFile– York University’s daily e-bulletin.