Larch Sanctuary features a wealth of habitats, formed by differences in slope, elevation, aspect, moisture, soil and the amount of sunlight penetrating the upper canopy of the forest.
Six different vegetation communities provide either a temporary or permanent home to over 90 species of birds, as well as animals such as moose, white-tailed deer, fox, snowshoe hares and frogs. This section of the site introduces some of the many inhabitants of Larch Sanctuary.
| Dominant Vegetation Community | Approximate Area | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Old coniferous forest | Creek banks | Mature white spruce in nearly pure stands, in places. |
| Old mixed wood forest | Creek banks | White spruce, trembling aspen and balsam poplar, with associated understory bushes and herbs. |
| Deciduous forest | Valley and ravine slopes | Open stands of primarily trembling aspen, with associated understory bushes and herbs. |
| Riparian / aquatic emergent and submergent | Oxbow area | Shoreline, emergent and submergent plants around the edges of the oxbow and Whitemud Creek. |
| Regeneration forest (white birch) | Valley | A stand of almost pure white birch, with associated ground vegetation. |
| Meadow | Valley, in loop of creek | Grassy area with regenerating deciduous and coniferous trees. |