Rattray Marsh Conservation Area

The area was inhabited by the Mississauga people of the Wendake-Niowentsïo[3] territory before the settlers arrived. A treaty was signed between the Mississauga people and new settlers in 1805 for land from Etobicoke creek to Burlington Bay and other areas reaching up to the north of Dundas street.[2] In 1806, the land settlements started on various lots on the land. In 1851, the land including the marsh was sold to Mr. Thomas Slade.[2] After his death, the property was in the hands of the National Trust for sale. In 1861, Mr. Harris H. Fudger purchased some of the land upon which he built his mansion overlooking the marsh and the property was named Barrymede Farm.[2] The farm produced strawberries, raspberries, apples, pears, cherries, asparagus, and other vegetables. After the death of Mr Fudger, the National Trust sold the property to Major James Rattray in 1945.[2] Rattray permitted local residents to swim on his beach, walk along the edge of the lake, and also invited his bird-watcher friends to pursue their hobby. When Rattray died in 1969, a long struggle for the preservation of the Marsh began. Mr Frank Burton, the caretaker of Rattray estate, indicated that his late employer Major Rattray wished for the estate to be preserved intact.[2]

After the demise of Major Rattray in 1969, there was an interest from developers to develop luxury homes and a yacht basin on the property. The conservationists who saw the marsh as an environmental gem protested against it. Two representatives from the Department of Lands and Forests surveyed the area and commented that the plant diversity in the area was greater than in any provincial parks at the time. A committee led by Ruth Hussey wrote a letter to the Premier asking to encourage the Parks Integration Board to support the preservation of the Rattray Estate. However, the Park Integration Board informed the committee that the price could not be supported by the board for its acquisition and that it should come under the municipal corporation who had plans for development of several parks where people could camp. Camping on Rattray estate was highly undesirable by conservationists because of the unique characteristics of the area and its role in providing a habitat for many species.[2]

After all the conversation efforts failed, Mr. Brockington, sole executor and trustee of Rattray estate released the land for sale. Mr. Neiman purchased the entire estate in 1963. The conservation efforts continued after the sale and many groups like the South Peel Naturalist Club (SPNC) and Credit Valley Conservation Authority (CVCA) got involved in this local issue.[2]

Late in the year 1963, at the hearing between pro-conservation group and the supporters of private development, it was evident that CVCA would not be able to acquire the land due to not having enough funds. Mr Neiman’s plan suggested that for the completion of the project, the marsh was to be dredged and the walls banked to create a marina. Later at the Ratepayers association meeting, a great local opposition to this plan was seen. The development was temporarily halted because there were higher number of votes against the plan.[2]

Between 1962 and 1964, CVCA conducted studies with University of Toronto to assess the ecological value of the marsh. The study concluded that for the marsh to remain in good health there would need to be an adequate buffer zone of the higher lands and that acquiring the marsh portion alone would not be enough. During this time, private citizens formed a group called the Rattray Estate Preservation Committee for the purposes of purchasing the entire Rattray estate (including the buffer zone) so it would remain in its natural state as much as possible. They sought the help of Nature Conservancy of Canada, a country wide organization recently founded at the time, to raise the funds. Many individuals and organizations contributed to the cause and by May 1964 there were enough funds collected to buy a portion of the estate.[2]

In 1965, the committee asked the Toronto Township council to purchase a portion of the estate as well so that the entire area could be protected, which the council refused. The refusal is thought to be because of number of reasons, cost being a major one. Following this the Rattray Estate Preservation Committee dissolved and the Nature Conservancy of Canada gave their donors the option to either have their money returned or used for other conservation projects.[2]

In 1967, Mr. Neiman proceeded his development plans after the Toronto Township Council approved phase I of his plan in the Watersedge, Green Glade and Rattray Park Drive area. While the bulldozers were clearing the trees and flora for construction, an article was published by Bruce West in The Globe and Mail praising the conservation efforts for the marsh. This prompted Ruth Hussey to write a letter to the editor about the country's lack of interest in conservation. Following the popularity of that letter, Ruth Hussey formed a new citizen’s committee and created a petition to be sent to Township to reconsider the purchase of what remained of the Rattray Estate. While several proposals were being made and proposed by the committee the phase I of the development was completed and a portion of the estate cleared of its trees and vegetation. The local residents then reached out to the Mississauga Council, the newly formed town, to acquire what remained of the Rattray Estate.[2]

In 1971, CVCA was doing studies on the marsh ecology and on the advice of the experts purchased 24.2 acres of marsh, the portion that was proposed for marina. Mr. Dennis Veal, the biologist who conducted the study, helped arouse awareness and support from the citizens for the remaining 56.7 acres essential for buffer zone.[2]

In 1972, a planning board meeting was held with representation from provincial government, naturalists, conservation organization, local citizens and Mr. Neiman. There was a recommendation made to purchase the rest of the property, but the progress was slow.[2]

In 1973, Lake Ontario rose due to heavy rains, resulting in flooding of low-lying Rattray lands which pointed to the fact that the phase II houses would be under water at flood periods. The flood caused a drop in property price to almost half of its original price.[4] Following the flood, Mr. Neiman offered to sell it to the Town of Mississauga but there was no immediate action from the council until Dr. Martin Dobkin was elected as a new mayor who proposed that the CVCA should acquire the property on behalf of the City of Mississauga. After some negotiation with Mr. Neiman, and financial support from citizens, CVCA purchased the property and the Rattray Marsh Conservation Area was officially opened on October 5, 1975.[2]

Rattray Marsh Preservation Committee continued to meet to discuss maintenance, restoration and other matters for continual preservation of the Rattray marsh. In 1979, the committee was formally named as Rattray Marsh Protection Association (RMPA)[5] working in co-operation with the CVCA, City of Mississauga, Region of Peel and other groups, to continue to protect the natural resources of Rattray Marsh.

Members of RMPA addressed concerns posed by any new development in the Marsh. They played an important role in proposing an alternate plan for installing sewers so that they were not installed in the conservation area.[2] They also addressed the environmental impact of proposed land use surrounding the marsh such as bicycle paths and other developments in Jack Darling Memorial park next-door, both of which could have disturbed the tranquility of the marsh.[2] The group also organizes nature walks, annual clean up days and other maintenance efforts in the marsh. The Association has received a number of awards for its efforts. RMPA joined the Credit Valley Conservation in 2009 as a volunteer fundraising committee.[5]

Ruth Hussey tribute stone

Ruth Hussey (1915-1984)[6] was an environmentalist, veterinarian, president of South Peel Naturalists Club, and a volunteer for the Scouting movement.[2] She played an important role in the preservation of Rattray Marsh and had acquired an immense knowledge of marsh and its life.[4] In 1990, The Rattray Marsh Protection Association published Ruth Hussey’s detailed account of the marsh history and its natural history in the book titled “Rattray Marsh Then and Now” co-ordinated by Judith M. Goulin, who finished the book after Ruth Hussey died in 1984.[2]

Among the many awards received by Ruth Hussey was the Carl Nunn Media Conservation Award from the Federation of Ontario Naturalists for her dedication to conservation of Marsh.[6] A large granite boulder at the Old Poplar Row entrance to the Rattray Marsh has been installed by RMPA to pay tribute to Ruth Hussey’s efforts in preserving the Marsh. The stone says “Because of her, Rattray marsh is ours.”

In 2008, the Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive insect that is known to kill Ash trees native to North America was identified in the city of Mississauga.[9] This invasion of Ash Borer destroyed many species of Ash trees in the area including those at Rattray Marsh. Some of the dead ash trees impacted by emerald ash borer were cut down for the safety of wildlife, visitors and staff. Downed logs are placed in various locations to provide habitat for wildlife.

A number of native trees and shrubs were planted in place by Credit Valley Conservation. The remaining ash trees were injected with an environmentally safe bio-insecticide treatment to prevent them from getting infected with emerald ash borer.[10]