Cruickston Charitable Research Reserve is a 370-hectare (913-acre) property with a diversity of natural landscapes and wildlife habitats, including upland and lowland forests ranging in age from early succession to old-growth remnant deciduous forest. About five kilometres of riparian habitat stretch along the Grand and Speed Rivers whose waters converge within the Research Reserve. The riparian community ranges from open floodplain river flats to dolomitic limestone cliff faces 14 metres in height along the river’s edge. Three creek systems drain the Research Reserve lands with outflows into the Grand River. Two of the creeks, Bauman and Cruickston, are coldwater streams providing significant fish habitat. Approximately one-third of the land area is presently under cultivation.

Ecological restoration has been identified as a priority for CCRR. Sites on the property have been identified and prioritized for restoration. Restoration of prioritized cropland will begin in Spring 2004. Providing opportunities for peer-reviewed research is a vital component of the Cruickston Charitable Research Reserve long-term vision. In Cruickston Park: Into the Future, The Environmental Management Plan for Cruickston Charitable Research Reserve, Dr. Douglas W. Larson, professor of Botany, Director of the Cliff Ecology Unit, University of Guelph and member of the Cruickston Park Ecology Advisory Team who prepared the Environmental Management Plan, answers five basic questions about research and the role to undertaken by CCRR:

• What is research?
• Why is research important?
• Why is conservation and restoration ecology important?
• Why should research be conducted at Cruickston?
• Why should one sponsor research at Cruickston?

Beginning in Spring 2004, CCRR offers research opportunities in archaeology, conservation biology, environmental education, geology and organic agriculture. To learn about research opportunities, go to http://cruickston.com/research_invite.html. To view research application guidelines, go to http://cruickston.com/research_guide.html.

A more detailed discussion about the above topics can be found in The Environmental Management Plan which can be downloaded (in pdf format) from the links and downloads page of this website.