Happy Valley, York Regional Municipality, Ontario

Happy Valley is a sparsely populated ecologically-sensitive area located in King Township, Ontario, Canada.

Ecology

Happy Valley Forests

Happy Valley Forests is a 648 hectare provincially-significant ecological area, classified as an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.^[1] It consists of an upland forest on steeply rolling topography, various wooded swamps, and minor wetland areas (wet meadows, thickets and cattail swamps). A few small kettle ponds are also present.

Located on Ordovician bedrock over the Oak Ridges Moraine, the forest attains elevations between 122 to 152 m, increasing westward. The majority of the area is composed of overburden of ice-contract stratified drift of sand, gravel and silt of varying origin (kame, outwash or collapse). Soil types in the forests are predominantly pontytool sandy loam; Brighton sandy loam, King clay loam (southern and western steep areas), and bottomland (along stream banks) are present in small areas.

The upland forest is dominated by Sugar Maple in most areas, and Sugar Maple and Beech in others, though species such as White Birch, White Ash, Eastern Hemlock, Black Cherry and Red Oak are found throughout. The eastern portion is instead dominated by Red Maple and Red Oak, interspersed by Beech, White Birch, Eastern Hemlock and Largetooth Aspen.

In the valleys of this forest can be found Largetooth Aspen with White Birch, Red Maple and occasional Beech, Red Oak and Trembling Aspen. Moreover, several kettle depressions and small kettle ponds are present in the area.

Supporting over 100 bird species, and numerous other wildlife species, the Happy Valley Forests is recognized for its size and the presence of various rare species.^[2] Native and rare species include:

• Acadian Flycatcher (endangered)
• Hooded Warbler (threatened)
• Red-shouldered Hawk (vulnerable)
• Cerulean Warbler

Note that the status of the species listed above is for Canada only.^[3] None of these species is currently facing global extinction.

Happy Valley Infiltration Area

The Happy Valley Infiltration Area is the source for the Happy Valley Tributary, which merges with the Schomberg River.^[4] It spans 945 hectares.

References

1. ^  Government of Ontario – Ministry of Natural Resources – Natural Areas Report: HAPPY VALLEY FORESTS
2. ^  Nature Conservancy of Canada – Background: Protecting Happy Valley Forest on the Oak Ridges Moraine
3. ^  Environment Canada – All Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species
4. ^  Government of Ontario – Ministry of Natural Resources – Natural Areas Report: HAPPY VALLEY INFILTRATION AREA
5. ^  Government of Ontario – Ministry of Natural Resources – Natural Areas Report: HAPPY VALLEY