Healthy Headwaters Wetlands Initiative

Healthy Headwaters Wetlands Initiative is an opportunity for rural and non-rural landowners to preserve, restore, or enhance wetlands.  The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA), Middlesex Stewardship Council (MSC), Huron Stewardship Council (HSC), and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) have formed a partnership to provide you with technical advice and assistance to complete wetland restoration projects in floodplain or riparian areas.

What are wetlands? (Download PDF - 1 MB - Medium size)

Why are wetlands important to us?  (Download PDF - 1 MB - Medium size)           

Wetlands are one of the most diverse and productive ecosystems in Ontario, providing habitat for waterfowl and over 600 species of plants, animals and insects, some of which are species at risk.

Wetlands offer many recreational opportunities such as fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, canoeing or photography.

Wetlands: 

• Provide water storage,
• Improve water quality by acting as a natural filter from our water runoff that enters our lakes, rivers and drinking water,
• Replenish our groundwater supplies from the recharge areas,
• Reduce flooding and erosion by holding water, slowing down the heavy surface flows, and leading to less soil erosion.

Eligible Project Types

1.  Enhance floodplain habitat includes seasonal wet areas, oxbows, woodland swamps, etc., enhancements using small, low-cost water impoundment structures.

2.  Wetland creation involving small area of land and restricting water from flowing out of shallow, low-lying areas.  Excavated wetlands are created by removal of earth to create a water retention area.       

3.  Creating Conservation Buffers, permanent vegetation planted to design to filter pollutants and manage environmental concerns.                                                                                                                 

4.  Livestock exclusion fencing includes fencing livestock out of certain areas and providing a low-water crossing to provide livestock with an alternate.

Download Wetland Restoration Factsheet  (1 MB - Medium size)

What can you do to help conserve our local wetlands?

• Take note of where the wet areas persist and consider keeping water on the land to improve water quality by filtering sediment and nutrients,
• Increase vegetation in wet areas and beside creeks with native plants,
• Restrict livestock access from local waterways,
• Remove garbage from wet areas,
• Add nest boxes for waterfowl,
• Participate in an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) or Rural Stewardship Guide workshop and develop an Environmental Action Plan,
• Monitor habitat for birds and frogs,
• Visit your local conservation areas,
• Express your interest in wetland conservation.

Download Wetlands on My Lands? Some simple, low-cost techniques for creating or restoring wetlands on your property.  (500 KB - Small size)

Funding

These conservation partners (ABCA, MSC, HSC, DUC) in Middlesex and Huron Counties have a three-year wetlands restoration and enhancement project thanks to a $225,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.  Rural and urban property owners will be able to achieve successful projects to improve the environment while retaining the enjoyment and use of their land.  Staff will perform site visits, surveys, and facilitate on-the-ground improvements with landowners.  Other generous contributions from Species at Risk Stewardship Fund, Habitat Stewardship Program, Ducks Unlimited Canada, and Canada Ontario Agreement will assist with the costs of restoring these wetlands, while funding is available.

      Healthy Headwaters Wetlands Initiative Partners

            Middlesex Stewardship Council             Huron Stewardship Council

              Ducks Unlimited Canada                     Ministry of Natural resource                                                                              

                                         Ontario Trillium Foundation

                                     Species at Risk Stewardship Fund

                                       Habitat Stewardship Program 

                                        Canada Ontario Agreement

Ducks Unlimited Factsheets on Wetlands & Wildlife ponds

Wetlands - What are they and what do they do for us?  (Download PDF - 500 KB - Small size)

Wildlife Ponds - Designing and maintaining excavated wetlands with high wildlife values  (500 KB - Small size)

Wetland Buffers – Designing and maintaining a vegetated wetland buffer  (1 MB - Medium size)

Wood Duck Nest Boxes – How to locate, install and care for your wood duck nest boxes?  (500 KB)

Coping with Canada Geese – Some suggestions for dealing with nuisance geese in rural areas  (500 KB)

Wetlands - Mitigating effects of climate change  (200 KB - Small size)

MNR Wetland Factsheets

Wetlands in a Watershed Context  (Download PDF - 1 MB - Medium size)

Significant Wetlands and OWES  (Download PDF - 1 MB - Medium size)

For more information, please contact Angela at Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority at               (519) 235-2610 or 1-888-286-2610 or email Angela Van Niekerk through our contact staff link.