The Ontario government is partnering with Ducks Unlimited Canada to enhance and restore approximately 60 local wetlands across the province over the next year, as part of a five-year, $30 million Wetlands Conservation Partner Program. Ducks Unlimited Canada is receiving $6 million for projects that will aim to improve water quality, preserve and increase habitats for endangered species, and help prevent flooding. The funds will also aim to build climate change resiliency in the Lake Ontario and Lake Erie watersheds and connecting waterways.
“Wetlands keep our water safe, and they make our communities more climate change resilient by helping to prevent floods—that’s why protecting these vital areas is such an important part of our Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan,” said Jeff Yurek, minister of the environment, conservation and parks. “As long-standing experts in this area, I am thrilled we have partnered with Ducks Unlimited Canada on projects to enhance and restore our province’s wetlands—ensuring our water resources and ecosystems are healthy and beautiful for everyone to enjoy.”
Minister Yurek was joined by Lynette Mader, manager of operations in Ontario for Ducks Unlimited Canada, at the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority to showcase a completed wetland restoration project that received funding from the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program. They also thanked the many private and public landowners who will be restoring wetlands this summer as part of the program.
“Our Ontario team had a busy spring negotiating with landowners and securing permits to start project construction,” said Lynette Mader, Manager of Provincial Operations in Ontario for Ducks Unlimited Canada. “Some projects are already complete and more conservation partners, construction contractors and site supervisors are lined up to continue work throughout the summer. We’re excited to support local economies by working with local partners and contractors.”
The projects led by Ducks Unlimited Canada include approximately 40 wetland restoration projects for large-scale, permanent wetlands, and 20 small wetland projects. The following projects were recently completed or are underway with support from the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program:
- In Atocas Bay, near Hawkesbury east of Ottawa, wetland infrastructure is being enhanced to help mitigate flood risk and support climate resiliency for the communities in the Ottawa River watershed.
- Two new wetlands have been added to Elgin County, in collaboration with the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority, with others underway in the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority. They are designed to capture and filter surface water before it enters Lake Erie.
“Birds and other wildlife rely on wetlands for habitat,” said John Yakabuski, minister of natural resources and forestry. “That’s why I am so pleased to continue our long-standing, successful partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada, which has contributed to the restoration of 2,263.5 acres of wetland and protection of 1,944 acres of wetland in rural Southern Ontario over the years.”
The land beside our home is designated as wetland. It is NCC land and a commercial property rents from the NCC. It is also a wildlife corridor with deer, coyote even saw a few fisher at one time. Beaver lived in the stream. Numerous birds all enjoyed the woods.
Now the City of Ottawa is building on this land, disrupting the housing of the animals. Neglect too is occurring with land that used to be cared for now is full of noxious weeds, we no longer see the deer walking and grazing at the side of our property. They lived in the woods behind us, sometimes visiting our garden to check out plants they could eat. Such a delight. We have lived here for over 40 years and have never witnessed such neglect of the wetlands. It looks as though Phragmites have taken over parts of it.
Whom may I contact about this?