Wetlands funding makes it possible to work with local landowners to enhance 21 wetlands
Wetlands are nature-based solutions that improve water quality and resiliency; work by participating local landowners responds to shortage of wetlands in area; funding from Province of Ontario helps make 21 local projects possible
Funding from the Province of Ontario, in 2023, is making it possible for Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) to work with participating local landowners to enhance 21 needed wetlands. The funding is provided through the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
“Our government continues to invest in wetlands restoration through the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program,” said David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Since 2020, we have supported 330 wetlands conservation projects, including 21 wetland sites that have been restored or enhanced in partnership with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority. It’s important projects like these that will help prevent flooding, improve water quality and build climate resiliency across Ontario.”
“Acting as a natural filter, wetlands are an important part of local conservation efforts,” said Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce. “By working with local landowners and expanding the presence of wetlands throughout our communities, we are laying the foundation for more resilient land and water management in the future.”
The MPP visited Morrison Dam Conservation Area to present the funding, for $143,900, to ABCA, for the 21 wetland enhancement projects.
Angela Van Niekerk is Wetlands Specialist with the ABCA. She said more wetlands are needed in the area and this funding is essential to make it possible for landowners to increase wetland cover.
“We are enhancing 21 different wetlands, with the help of this funding, in partnership with landowners who are taking part,” she said. “These wetland improvements add needed habitat. They also hold back water during storm events, help to better protect water quality, and help to keep water on the land during times of low water.” These nature-based solutions also help to reduce downstream flooding and erosion, she said.
Wetlands in Ontario are described as the ‘kidneys of the landscape.’ They absorb, store and filter water before it reaches nearby waterways. Wetlands provide ecological goods and services that have environmental, economic and social benefits. When wetlands are restored and enhanced it’s possible to see some of the habitat improvements in the first two or three years, Angela said.
“Landowners who add wetlands on their properties begin to see a greater diversity of species in just a few years,” she said. “They may see more frogs and different species of frogs, for instance.”
Wetlands are lands that are wet for all or some of the year. They support water-loving plants such as Cattails, Sedges, Rushes, Blue Flag Iris, Willows, and Dogwoods. Wetlands filter water and remove contaminants. Wetlands benefit water quality and also water quantity. Wetlands capture water when there’s too much water on the landscape during flooding and runoff and release water gradually when water is needed during times of low water and drought. Wetlands also capture carbon. Wetlands provide habitat for waterfowl and for more than 600 species of plants and animals. They are among the most diverse and productive ecosystems in the world.
To find out more about stormwater management improvements and wetlands, and projects you can do to enhance them, visit the Ausable Bayfield Conservation website and the wetlands web page.
Are there wet areas on your property? Contact Ausable Bayfield Conservation staff for a site visit. To contact staff about technical expertise and grants which may be available to help you with your potential projects visit the staff contacts web page.
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Apply now for cover crop, stewardship incentives
Huron County landowners! Applications are available now for the cover crop incentive program.
Huron County Clean Water Project offers grants to assist Huron County landowners with their cover crop projects and other water quality stewardship projects.
To apply, reach out to Ben at Maitland Conservation or Brooklyn at Ausable Bayfield Conservation.
Click the Huron Clean Water Project web link to find out other water quality projects for which you may be eligible for funding.
If you don't live in Huron County, ask us about other programs that might help you with your water and soil projects.
#ontag #covercrops #huroncounty
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You can take positive ACTions
You can ACT for healthy soil, water and watersheds. A = Avoid (Improve filtration). C = Control (at or near the source). T = Trap and Treat.
Find out ACTions you can take at home and work. Read the new Watershed Report Card.
Watch the video:
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Prevent Lyme Disease
Prevent Lyme Disease. Learn about ticks, and how to prevent Lyme disease, from local public health.
Find out more:
Bacteria causing Lyme disease have been found in Blacklegged Ticks throughout Ontario including in our watershed area.
Lyme disease is spread to humans by the bite of an infected Blacklegged Tick. These ticks can't fly but settle on tall grasses and bushes until they attach themselves to a person or animal passing by.
Ticks must be attached and feeding for at least 24 hours before the tick transmits the bacteria so finding and removing any ticks early is important.
If you find a tick on yourself or a family member, save the tick in a small, sealable plastic bag or pill bottle. Record the location and date of the bite and bring the tick to local public health for identification.
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Community members plant 1,000 plants at planting event
More than 1,000 native-species plants were planted, on June 29, 2023, before sunset, at Triebner Tract wetlands, thanks to community volunteers! Ausable Bayfield Conservation would like to thank members of the Triebner family, and all the other community volunteers, for enhancing their local watershed community to the benefit of water quality, soil health, and habitat for all living things.
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Water Response Team issues Level 1 Low Water Advisory for entire watershed
The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) Water Response Team (WRT) declared a Level 1 Low Water Advisory, on June 29, 2023, for the entire ABCA watershed area.
The WRT based its decision on watershed conditions that reflected a much drier than usual spring, with only 50-70 per cent of the three-month normal rainfall totals from April through June. The Ontario Low Water Response (OLWR) Level 1 indicator is 80 per cent of the three-month average. The dry weather has had an impact on streamflows and, even with rainfall in late June, precipitation has not been sufficient to bring back baseflows to local watercourses. Without above-normal rainfall in July, streamflows are forecast to continue to decline through July.
This period of dry weather is likely to have impacts on streamflow through the summer, according to Davin Heinbuck, ABCA Water Resources Coordinator.
“As of the end of June, many areas of the watershed have yet to receive measurable runoff in nearly two months,” he said. “If a deficit in rainfall is prolonged, it becomes that much more challenging to see a recovery in a stressed watershed, especially in the summer, where warm temperatures and ground cover decrease the potential of precipitation being available to streamflow.”
Water Response Team Chair Marissa Vaughan said everyone has a role to play in water conservation. She encourages all water users to look for ways they can conserve water and prevent further reduction in water levels and availability through this summer.
“During a Level 1 Low Water Advisory condition, we encourage water users to proactively conserve water by voluntarily reducing their water use by 10 per cent,” she said.
For ways you can reduce water use, please visit the water quantity and water conservation page at abca.ca at this link:
The Water Response Team relies on both precipitation and streamflow indicators to support any decision to move into a Low Water Advisory. Indicators include one-month streamflow and one-month or three-month precipitation. A Level 1 Low Water Advisory includes a request for a 10 per cent voluntary reduction in water use. A Level 2 Low Water Advisory calls for an additional 10 per cent (total of 20 per cent) voluntary reduction in water use. A Level 3 Low Water Advisory may involve mandatory water use restrictions.
The Water Response Team was formed in 2001 in response to the low water and drought conditions that year and the team has been active ever since. The WRT includes representatives of major water users (such as aggregate industries; agriculture and vegetable growers; and golf and recreation) and includes local municipal representatives and staff of provincial ministries (such as Natural Resources and Forestry; Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; and Environment, Conservation and Parks). ABCA staff will continue to monitor rainfall and streamflow data and keep the public informed of any changes in watershed conditions.
Visit www.ontario.ca/lowwater for further resources on the Ontario Low Water Response program or the website at abca.ca for the dynamic low-water advisory tool which alerts people to low-water advisories in effect in the watershed.
Learn more:
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Reduce your water use
Water is precious. Learn how to reduce your water use.
Take #WaterWise action to ensure plentiful drinking water for private wells, private well systems, and municipal well supplies:
Learn more:
Visit our local #BestPractices web page:
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Conservation Strategy developed by the community
The Conservation Strategy was developed by the community for the community.
What is your community's Conservation Strategy for Ausable Bayfield watersheds? Find out in this one-minute video:
Music by Bensound.com.
Read the Conservation Strategy here:
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Watershed Management Strategy implements community's Conservation Strategy
Almost three dozen community members developed the Conservation Strategy for Ausable Bayfield watersheds. The Watershed Management Strategy took the next step to implement the community's plan. Watch this one-minute video to learn about the Watershed Management Strategy:
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Learn more:
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