Wetlands
Wetland Restoration Program within Southwestern Ontario
Do you have low-lying land or marginal land that youโd like help restoring into a wetland? The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority provides support and financial help to make it happen.
Over 85% of original wetlands in Southwestern Ontario have been lost from converting land to agriculture and urban development. Areas within the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, such as Chatham-Kent, had as much as 50% of the total area of land covered by wetlands before European colonization.
- ๏ฌStewardship
1. Flood Control
Wetlands act as natural sponges by absorbing and slowing down floodwaters.ย
2. Water Filtration
Wetlands improve water quality by trapping pollutants, sediments, and nutrients.
3. Carbon Storage
They store carbon, helping mitigate the impacts of climate change.ย
4. Groundwater Recharge
Wetlands replenish groundwater supplies by allowing water to seep into aquifers. Approximately 3.2 million people in Southern Ontario rely on groundwater for their drinking water needs.
5. Wildlife Habitat
Wetlands are critical habitats for a diverse range of plants, animals, and especially waterfowl.
6. Biodiversity Support
Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems, supporting a wide range of species.
How we can support your wetland project
The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority can support you in every step of restoring your low-lying, marginal land to wetlands, from assessments and planning to funding and planting.
Hereโs what a wetland restoration project looks like:
- R1. The first step is a site visit, where we assess if the site is suitable for a wetland 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. We map out the project, assist in the permitting process, and hire and work with local contractors on your behalf.
- R4. Finally, we help establish upland habitat around the wetland by seeding the project with native grasses, and we may also plant some native shrubs or trees depending on the project.
- ONote that we do not do landscape features but restore land back to a native wetland.
Our Past Wetland Restoration Projects
