Founded in 2001, the rare Charitable Research Reserve is a 900+ acre land trust and environmental institute situated at the confluence of the Grand and Speed Rivers in the heart of the Waterloo Region. The reserve is a beautifully and culturally significant landscape that includes trees more than 240 years old. Rich in biodiversity, rare is home to an array of flora and fauna – some of which are ranked significant regionally, provincially, nationally and even globally. Striving to preserve the land for future generations rare focuses on conservation, research and education through ecological restoration, environmental programming, and providing passive recreation opportunities to the surrounding community through 8km of trails.

The reserve’s network of natural landscapes are held in trust as a common possession, set aside for their natural and heritage value and to provide unprecedented engagement opportunities in ecological and cultural research, education, community engagement and recreation. Through the combined efforts of the community and rare’s team of staff and advisors we will discover best practices and answers to environmental problems, stewarding these diverse lands for ecological integrity and future generations.