The Northumberland hills are an area of sand barren, tallgrass prairie, savannah, woodland, forest, plantation and wetland.
Erosion and flooding
During early settlement, tall white pines were harvested for ship masts in Europe and much of the land was cleared for agriculture. The result was erosion and flooding due to the sandy soils. Large-scale tree planting occurred to stop the erosion and reduce flooding.
The Reforestation Act
- 1910: Northumberland County asked the provincial government for funds to reforest lands.
- 1921: the Reforestation Act was created. Northumberland County purchased lands managed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Since 1921, approximately four million trees have been planted.
- 2000: Northumberland County took over the management of the forest.