Recognizing World Wetlands Day

A wetland in the winter.

Ausable Bayfield Conservation, a local wetland expert, can provide links to funds and encourages residents to consider local wetland restoration. Wetlands provide water, soil and habitat benefits.

World Wetlands Day took place on February 2 and the theme for this year was ‘Protecting wetlands for our common future’, with a message to value, protect and inspire.

“It is amazing how fast the local dragonflies, turtles, frogs and birds move into the constructed wetlands, once the habitat is provided,” explained Angela Van Niekirk, Wetlands Specialist with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA).

Van Niekirk has also observed water being held on the land during storm events to the benefit of water quality and erosion control.

Since 2008, ABCA has helped more than 100 local landowners create more than 150 wetlands over 950 acres.

Phil McNamee, a local landowner partnered with ABCA to restore a wetland at Serenity Nature Reserve on Corbett Line next to the ABCA Mahon Tract last autumn.

This wetland was created in a 1.5-acre field and will provide benefits of water storage during flooding events and will help reduce sediment to the municipal drain – Parkhill Creek and Lake Huron at Grand Bend.

As a result, this area will be a lively, emerging marsh providing habitat for many birds and other animals.

In late May ABCA will host public planting events to add 500 pollinator and wetland plants to the site.

Wetland projects have been possible with low or no costs to the landowners thanks to the support of funding partners.

If you believe your property could be enhanced by creating a wetland, contact ABCA for a site visit and find out about financial incentives.

“Staff make it easy for landowners to do these projects with little or no paperwork,” added Van Niekirk.

World Wetlands Day has been celebrated since February 2, 1971, to celebrate the importance of wetlands to all living things.

For more information visit https://www.abca.ca