Purdon Conservation Area

Purdon Conservation Area is a protected natural area in Lanark County, Ontario, encompassing 25 hectares with a natural fen ecosystem. Visitors explore the site via boardwalks and trails that wind through the wetland.

Joe Purdon discovered several lady slipper orchids on this land in the 1930s and applied specific management methods to expand their population. His early conservation efforts established the foundation for protecting the area.

The area functions as a place where visitors encounter information about native orchid species and wetland ecology through interpretive signs along the pathways. People come to understand how these habitats support specialized plant life.

The site is open from dawn to dusk and sits north of Lanark Village on County Road 8 for easy access. Admission works through voluntary donations, giving visitors flexibility in how they support the area.

The area contains Canada's largest colony of showy lady slipper orchids, with over 16,000 plants thriving here. This rare concentration blooms between mid-June and early July each year.

Location: Lanark County

GPS coordinates: 44.99370,-76.54540

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:47