Priority Restoration Areas at rare that would benefit from Applied Research:

1. A north facing field on the property adjacent to a remnant old-growth upland deciduous forest that contains many Carolinian Forest species.  This steep field slopes into the woods, which contains an ephemeral breeding pond, the headwaters of a coldwater stream that traditionally provided brook trout spawning habitat, and a portion of a Provincially Significant Wetland complex.  This field was conventionally farmed until October, 2006, and will be available for first year restoration in 2007. Potential research topics could include soil remediation, restoration techniques, forest corridor restoration, and comparative studies.
2. A field located at the junction of Blair Road and George Street, at the eastern edge of rare land. It was conventionally farmed for over 40 years, until its removal from agriculture in October, 2006. The field is adjacent to a variety of important habitats, including limestone cliff and alvar, Carolinian deciduous forest, deciduous swamp, and cattail marsh. It is also located next to the Walter Bean Trail, a heavily used portion of the Cambridge to Hamilton network of Ontario Rail Trails. Potential research topics could include forest connectivity, alvar remediation, and field restoration.  This field would also benefit from active restoration techniques, as it is in a highly public area. 
3. The Blair Flats are located on the floodplain of the Grand River, a Canadian Heritage River. Bauman Creek, a first order coldwater stream that traditionally provided brook trout spawning habitat, flows directly through the flats. 30% of the flats, adjacent to Bauman Creek, were removed from conventional agriculture at the end of the 2005 season; this area received some active restoration, though the majority was left to fallow. Applicable research topics could include riparian restoration, succession, soil remediation, wetland habitat creation and restoration, and comparative studies. 
4. The Preston Flats are located on the floodplain of the Speed River, a tributary of the Grand River. The flats are adjacent to an urban area of Preston that includes residential, commercial, and industrial developments. This area has been conventionally farmed for over 40 years, and is considered to be an important area for archaeological remains. Potential research could include archaeological surveys, riparian restoration, soil remediation, habitat creation, and comparative studies.
5. Cruickston Creek flows between two wetlands, and is part of a Provincially Significant Wetland complex. Immediately east of the creek is a westward sloping field which was removed from conventional agriculture in the fall of 2005. This field received some active restoration in the spring of 2006; over 100 native trees, shrubs, and vines were planted, and bird houses were installed on posts. Potential research topics could include old field comparative studies, riparian and old field restoration techniques, and habitat creation. 
6. There is a field immediately west of Cruickston Creek with a steep, north-facing slope. This field consists of three parts: the north west part is currently under first year transition organic agriculture, the central portion has been conventionally farmed for over 40 years, and the eastern part was removed from conventional agriculture in the fall of 2003. The portion removed from agriculture is adjacent to the creek, and has received some active restoration plantings which took place in 2004. This field would be suitable to research involving slope stabilization, restoration techniques, agricultural research, and comparative studies. 
7. At rare there are a number of fields that would benefit from research dealing with organic agriculture studies. The organic agriculture program, rare organics, served as a source for local, organic food, and organic farming demonstration and training.  Related research would provide more information on organic farming to the community as well as the larger food industry. Applicable research topics could include comparative agriculture, transitional studies, soil remediation techniques, and organic farming methods.
8. There are many areas at rare that have been invaded by aggressive alien plant species, including European buckthorn, garlic mustard, Timothy grass, and more. Priority habitats for research involving alien species suppression and control include alvar, floodplain, meadow, shrub thicket, deciduous forest, wetland, and riparian habitats. 
9. There is a pine plantation adjacent to the limestone cliffs on the south bank of the Grand River, where both red pine and Scot’s pine were planted more than 20 years ago. This plantation is on top of alvar, next to a natural deciduous forest consisting of both Northern Hardwood and Carolinian species. The natural forest is home to a number of rare species of plants and animals. Potential research topics that would be suited to the pine plantation could include habitat restoration, plantation removal effects and succession. Other pine plantations exist on the property where simultaneous or comparative studies could potentially take place. 
10. There are 4 acres of field on the property that were traditionally conventionally farmed, then left to fallow for 10 years. This would be an ideal area where succession research, old field comparative studies, and restorative research could take place.

If you are interested in researching at rare please contact: Peter Kelly, Research Director, rare Charitable Research Reserve, 1679 Blair Road, Cambridge, ON  N3H 4R8 or at 519-650-9336 x126 or at pekelly@raresites.org.