News Release
For Immediate Release
Kettle Creek Conservation Authority (KCCA) has partnered with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) to increase wetland coverage across the Kettle Creek and Upper Thames River watersheds.
“A network of wetlands is required to support and sustain a high level of biodiversity and improve water quality conditions throughout our watersheds,” said Betsy McClure, KCCA’s Stewardship Program Supervisor. “Wetland restoration activities will help several species at risk including the spotted turtle, blanding’s turtle, snapping turtle, milksnake, prothonotary warbler, least bittern, and eastern ribbonsnake.”
With the support of Ontario Power Generation’s Regional Biodiversity Program and other funders such as Ducks Unlimited, the Elgin Clean Water Program and the Kettle Creek Environmental Trust, the restoration project will aim to restore 10 wetlands per year for a total of 30 wetlands by the end of 2018. Ideal sites for wetland restoration include areas that were historically a wetland, areas where water lies naturally in the spring or after heavy rains, and areas in proximity to other wetlands or wildlife habitat features.
Landowners interested in funding or technical assistance with wetland creation on their property can contact KCCA or UTRCA for more information.
Ontario is home to approximately 24 per cent of Canada’s wetlands and 6 per cent of the world’s wetlands. It is estimated that prior to European settlement, there were about two million hectares of wetlands in southern Ontario. About 68 per cent of these wetlands had been destroyed by the 1980s. In parts of southwestern Ontario, over 90 per cent of the area’s original wetlands are gone. These rates of loss are among the highest recorded anywhere in the world.
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For more information:
Betsy McClure
Stewardship Program Supervisor
Kettle Creek Conservation Authority
519-631-1270 ext.229
betsy@kettlecreekconservation.on.ca
Brad Glasman
Manager, Conservation Services
Upper Thames River Conservation Authority
519-451-2800 ext. 251
glasmanb@thamesriver.on.ca