Passersby walking along Regent Street past the Wilderness over the last couple of weeks have been stopping to crane their necks and look up, spotting arborists in bright visibility vests dangling from tree tops, lopping off dead branches.

When their gaze drops to ground level, peering through the forest, they see others hauling dead trees and dragging brush to the onsite wood chipper.

Work is underway in earnest at the landmark property to begin the process of eventually turning the Wilderness into an urban oasis, where the public will be able to stroll through the natural surroundings and learn about the storied history of the site, which reaches back hundreds of years and touches military tales, Indigenous traditions and nature’s wonders.

That’s the vision the Niagara Foundation has for the Wilderness, which it acquired in December. It will take both time and fundraising to bring that vision to life, the foundation says.

The work will unfold incrementally. It’s a complex endeavour, and even as Niagara Foundation chair Lyle Hall grapples with big questions, he exudes an energy and passion that speak to his commitment to conservation and public service.

“Right now, let’s look at the grounds. How can we provide some limited public access? How can we remediate the creek bed and do some of the things we need to do from a natural point of view?” says Hall.

“And then the next phase, which we really haven’t developed yet, is to determine what we do with the building.”

All of these areas are being considered in consultation with various experts and agencies as appropriate, whether arborists, conservationists, historians or archeologists.

The current focus is on the grounds, which comprise almost five acres. Hall delineates the immediate priorities.

“First things first, we need to remove any hazards, of which there were many, such as dead trees and limbs. Secondly, we’re dealing with invasive species, of which there are a lot, from knotweed to euonymus to Norway maples. And thirdly, we need to prepare the grounds for use and for replanting local species.”

The forestry work is being done by Arborwood Tree Services. Arborwood owner Andrew Hordyk explains, “We’re not taking down mature Norway maples, some are 50 or 60 years old. We’re just taking out the saplings, so all the trees that are left can grow into more spreading shade trees. All the mature trees on the property are being preserved.”

Hordyk also notes that “some trees are being choked by large euonymus vines, so they will be removed to allow those trees to thrive.”

The work is targeting the south side of the property to begin with.

“We want to get that cleaned up, and then move to the other side with guidance from the Niagara (Peninsula) Conservation Authority, because that’s where One Mile Creek runs through,” Hall says.

Concurrently, the foundation “will go into the second phase of fundraising efforts as well, because we need to, frankly, raise much more money to be able to do what we want to do,” Hall says.

In addition to funds, the foundation will need partners going forward.

“We’re volunteers. We don’t have any full-time staff, so whatever we do, we’re going to have to do with a partner,” he adds.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Wilderness can visit the Niagara Foundation’s website, theniagarafoundation.com. Those interested in progress updates can sign up for its newsletter.