In March 2014, the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority received funding from Wildlife Habitat Canada and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry in order to implement and restore wetland habitat on the North Sydenham River.

Within the last 150 years in southwestern Ontario, widespread drainage has resulted in much of the natural habitat being removed or fragmented and has reduced the wetland cover to less than 2% in Lambton County. This is a significant decrease in wetland habitat from what was present in the 1800’s when approximately 50% of the county was wetland area. The projects implemented through this funding are a stepping stone to increasing the wetland cover in the St. Clair Region watershed while having minimal impact on the heavy agriculture industry as only marginal and fragile wet land has been targeted.

In the 1980s, St. Clair Conservation purchased properties as part of the W. Darcy McKeough Dam and Diversion Project. The McKeough Floodway allows water to be diverted from the North Branch of the Sydenham River directly to the St. Clair River to alleviate flooding in the town of Wallaceburg.

Many of these McKeough upstream properties lie north of the floodway from Wilkesport to Bridgen Road and are leased by tenants for agricultural purposes.

A total of 10 hectares of wetland and riparian habitat was created, restored and/or enhanced as part of this project. Three wetlands totaling an area of 4 hectares were created on some of the McKeough upstream properties. An additional 5 hectares of riparian and upland planting was completed along McKeough upstream properties with frontage to the North Sydenham River.

The retirement of the fragile wet agricultural fields and unproductive lands to wetland and riparian/upland habitat will improve habitat conditions and begin to return the area to its natural state. These projects will help to improve habitat conditions for dabbling ducks and geese, primarily Mallards, Wood Ducks, and Canada Geese. Other aquatic species and wetland associated species that are listed as Special Concern of Endangered/Threatened, like the Blackstripe Topminnow or Eastern Foxsnake, will also benefit particularly from the riparian plantings. These riparian buffer strips will not only provide wildlife movement corridors but also help to reduce the amount of sediment entering the North Sydenham River a significant benefit to the downstream lands.

Wildlife Habitat Canada

Since 1985, Wildlife Habitat Canada, a national, non-profit, charitable conservation organization, has invested over $50 million to support hundreds of conservation projects on private and public lands across Canada, through its granting program. Wildlife Habitat Canada works through partnerships with communities, landowners, governments, non-government organizations, and industry to conserve, enhance, and restore wildlife habitat. To learn more about the project that Wildlife Habitat Canada has funded or to see our annual report, please visit www.whc.org

Without habitat….there is no wildlife. It’s that simple!