Purdon Conservation Area

Activities: Free Admission, Lake River Reservoir, Education Interpretive, Handicapped Access, Picnic Facilities, Hiking

Purdon Conservation Area is a unique wetland famous for its exceptionally large native colony of Showy Lady's Slipper Orchids. Each year between mid-June and early July, thousands of magnificent orchids burst into delicate pink and white bloom. It is rare to find a colony of this size and Purdon is home to the largest in Canada. The orchid colony exists today thanks to teh carea nd cultivation given by Joe Purdon for more than 50 years. Mr. Purdon nurtured a small colony on his farm into more than 16,000 blooms. Mississippi Valley Conservation acquired the site in 1984 pledging to preserve it for the enjoyment and enrichment of future generations.