NCC: Land Lines – Walking the walk at the Milburn Creek Nature Reserve

February 29, 2024 | by Sarah Wiseman

This is my 10^th year living in Battersea, Ontario, and I have walked the nearby Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) trail around Milburn Creek many times, passing through woods and meadow, and stopping to admire granite outcroppings, the meandering creek and the pond edge. Over the years, I started imagining art sitting among the trees. I’ve experienced art-in-nature events before and the idea of coming across something in the woods that doesn’t quite fit, but also does — perhaps because it evokes the same awe, delight, or contemplation as nature itself — struck a deep chord in me. Making art is human nature, after all.

It’s winter now and as I walk over the footbridge along this trail, I hear the beautiful sound of copper chimes that mixed with the wind last fall. As I pass under the bare sumac canopy, I’m remembering the shimmer of delicately threaded bead creations hanging from the branches. Around the next corner, I remember being delighted by a human-sized origami dragon nesting in a pile of freshly fallen leaves. These were a few of the art installations that brought joy and wonder to the Milburn Creek Nature Reserve trail in fall 2023.

With support from the Battersea Pumpkin Festival (held annually in October) and in consultation with NCC, my dream of a local forest art walk had come true. In January 2023, I had approached NCC to share my vision of displaying works of art in this natural setting. It was clear that it was important for all those involved that the environment of the trail and the nature reserve be protected and that the natural cycles of breeding wildlife and plant growth not be disturbed. NCC indicated that October would be an appropriate time for the art walk to take place. Guidelines were provided for artists to follow when creating and installing their art to ensure as little impact on the environment as possible.

During the Wild Art Walk, a total of nine art installations were spread out along the three-kilometre trail loop. Made by an eclectic mix of local artists, some professional and some who had never displayed art before, but who found meaning in the pairing of art and nature. 

Each location along the trail was strategically picked to suit the piece the artist created for the event, while avoiding any site impacts. The ideal branch for a giant textile snake to coil around. A unique circle of trees to form a “portal” into the mind of someone with dementia. A clearing in a grassy meadow to showcase wood art beavers having a tea party.

Ten more local creators joined the fun during the Battersea Pumpkin Festival, and brought existing work to display on the first 300 metres of the trail. Paintings and textile art, stained glass and wood craft, wire sculpture and encaustic (wax) works were tucked into rocky outcrops and hung from trees, creating a wonderful outdoor gallery.

I was amazed at what creations emerged despite the challenges of displaying work outside. Artists hiked the trail to the middle of the woods, carrying art supplies and risking damage to their creations from the elements. They had to think creatively to figure out how to install their pieces while avoiding the impact on the protected area. And then there was the pleasure of seeing how the art became part of nature for a short time, merging with the naturally beautiful surroundings.

The art walk concept resonated in local and surrounding communities. With very little advertising, people came to “walk the walk”. I think what made it so popular in the end was not just the heart and soul the artists put into their creations, but the trail itself. Its vibrant ecology and diverse landscape was not simply a backdrop, but the exquisite centrepiece to this wild art walk.

Note

The success of this event was enabled by consultation between the organizer and NCC. The event was not typical for NCC’s trail management. However, this unique property, much appreciated by the community, has had a long history of public use prior to NCC’s acquisition. The temporary art installations were limited to a well-used trail and required no alterations to the vegetation. The event took place outside both the breeding season for most wildlife, and the growth period for herbaceous plants. It was agreed that NCC would review the results and impacts to determine future approval of events like the ‘Wild Art Walk’.