Ontario is losing its important wetlands. Prior to European settlement, there were about two million hectares of wetlands in southern Ontario. Over 70% of these wetlands have been destroyed, and losses continue. In parts of southwestern Ontario, over 90% of the original wetlands are gone. These are among the highest recorded losses of wetlands anywhere on Earth.
The Wetland Drain Restoration Project has been an ongoing effort by the
Ministry of Natural Resources, Norfolk County and other significant partners.
The overall goal of the project is to balance the advantages provided by municipal
drainage projects with the water purification, storage and discharge functions provided by wetlands.
Governments and non-governmental organizations work to protect the remaining wetland resources through restoration. Many successful wetland restoration projects are the result of stewardship activities undertaken by organizations that are part of the Stewardship Network of Ontario (SNO) or the Ontario Eastern Habitat Joint Venture (OEHJV).
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An Ontario Stewardship Ranger plants Arrowhead at a wetland restoration site |
Workshop participants learn about the use of water control structures at a newly created wetland (photo credit: Becky Lidster) |
The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) offers a one-week introductory training course in wetland restoration, the Water Management and Wetland Restoration Training Course (WMWRC). Successful participants can follow-up the introductory course with a level two course to undertake actual wetland restoration projects. Visit http://www.wmwrc.ca/ for more information.
