The Dahl Forest is approximately 500 acres and straddles 2.7 km of the Burnt River in Haliburton County 5 km south of Gelert. The ecological significance of the Forest is evident in the diversity of species and habitats found on the property. William Dahl bought the property in the early 1950s. At that time it was abandoned farmland with depleted soil, crisscrossed with collapsed barbed wire fences where cattle scrounged for what little feed remained on the land. In the years following, the family planted more than 100,000 trees in plantations covering about 40 per cent of the property.The remaining acreage was left to regenerate naturally and has returned to wilderness. The property has been a model of conservation planning and the Land Trust was honoured to be chosen to continue the excellent stewardship of the Dahl family.