The Thomas A. Beckett Forest

Since 1998, the Thomas A. Beckett Forest program has been a way for individuals, families and organizations to celebrate the important milestones of loved ones, or to remember them at their passing by sponsoring tree plantings and the dedication of mature trees through donations to the Foundation.

Retired judge Thomas A. Beckett is a well-respected member of Ontario's legal community. He chaired the HCA from its inception in 1966 to 1972. In addition, he was Vice-Chairman of the Spencer Creek Conservation Authority from its beginning in 1958 to 1964 and Chairman from 1964 to 1966. The Spencer Creek Conservation Authority was the predecessor of the HCA. Under his leadership, the HCA began a major land acquisition program, which included lands in the Dundas Valley.

The sponsorship of the tree plantings and mature trees in the Beckett Forest has contributed to important environmental work, as well as preservation of natural habitat in the Dundas Valley. The species in the Beckett Forest are native to Southwestern Ontario, the most northern range for Carolinian shrubs and trees.

The Beckett Forest recently underwent a facelift. A new bronze plaque has been installed to explain the program and in place of individual memorial plaques, the trees will be identified by numbered tags corresponding to a map and a registry kept in the Dundas Valley Trail Centre. The registry contains GPS coordinates and dedication information for each tree. An interpretive panel about the program is also posted in the Trail Centre.

Beckett Forest Index

Click here for a full map of the Thomas A. Beckett Forest