Tallgrass Prairies
Tallgrass Prairie Restoration Program within Southwestern Ontario
Do you have flat, gently sloping, and non-forested land that youโd like help restoring into a tallgrass prairie? The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority provides support and financial help to make it happen.
Tallgrass prairie used to cover almost 300,000 acres of land in Southern Ontario, but more than 99% has been destroyed and converted into farmland and urban development.
- ๏ฌStewardship
1. Biodiversity
Tallgrass prairies provide critical habitat for many species of grasses, wildflowers, birds, insects (like pollinators), and mammals, and specifically threatened or endangered species such as the Karner Blue Butterfly, the bobolink, and the Henslow’s Sparrow.
2. Carbon Capture
The deep roots of tallgrass prairie plants help capture carbon in the soil, which makes prairies an effective tool for mitigating climate change. Tallgrass prairies can capture almost 2 tons of carbon per acre each year.
3. Soil Health
Tallgrass prairies help improve soil quality by preventing erosion up to 90%, increasing soil organic matter, and enhancing nutrient cycling.
4. Water Filtration
Prairies can act as natural filters, capturing and slowing down water, allowing it to percolate into the groundwater, reducing the need for costly water treatment systems.
5. Flood Prevention
The deep-rooted grasses and plants in tallgrass prairies absorb and hold huge amounts of rainwater which helps to reduce flood risks.ย
6. Bank Stabilization
Tallgrass prairies are highly effective in stabilizing banks when planted as buffer strips along waterways such as drains, steams and rivers. They reduce the velocity of surface water flow which greatly reduces soil erosion, filters sediment entering the waterway, and provides structural support due to their deep root systems.
How we can support your tallgrass prairie project
The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority can support you in every step of restoring your flat or gently sloping land to tallgrass prairie, from assessments and planning to funding and planting.
- R1. The first step is a site visit, where we assess if the site is suitable for tallgrass prairie or see where on the property would be suitable.
- R2. Our team works on funding for the project to help offset the expected cost.
- R3. Our team will either hand spread the seed or hire a local contractor to drill seed the site.
- R4. Our team will review with the landowner the care and growth expectations.
- R5. Tallgrass prairie growth can take 3-5 years depending on site conditions.
- ๏ฉTallgrass prairies are a great option for buffer strips along water courses or for the creation of meadows for pollinators and ground nesting birds.
Our Past Tallgrass Prairie Restoration Projects
