It's been 50 years since the Perth Wildlife Reserve officially opened to the public – and while much has changed in and around the conservation area, one thing has remained the same: its commitment to wildlife preservation. 

The 583-acre reserve was originally established in 1968 through a lease agreement with the Town of Perth, but the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) began slowly purchasing parcels in and around the reserve beginning in 1971. The conservation area officially opened as a recreation destination on Oct. 19, 1974.