Wetlands restoration gets funding

A provincial investment of more than $2.8 million will help farmer-led efforts to restore and enhance wetlands on some 70 Ontario farms.

The funding for projects led by ALUS Canada will aid the restoration of approximately 208 acres (84 hectares) of wetlands in 11 municipalities and counties in the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence and Ottawa river watersheds, officials stated on Tuesday, June 18.

Enhancements will include planting native trees and shrubs, grassland planting, pollinator plantings, exclusion fencing, erosion controls, and invasive species control. The goal is to increase the total area of functioning wetlands infrastructure to prevent flooding and improve water quality.

Wetlands key habitat

“Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world. They are home to a variety of wildlife and can help filter water entering lakes and rivers,” Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Andrea Khanjin stated in a release. “Our government is proud to be working with trusted conservation leaders like ALUS and Ontario farmers to support local agriculture communities and the environment.”

The project is among those led by conservation partners that are collectively receiving up to $11 million from the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program this year. In the first two years of the program, an estimated $6 million worth of damage due to flooding has been avoided and more than 170 green jobs created, officials said.

Farmers play key role

“Farmers play a key role in environmental and economic health,” ALUS Canada CEO Bryan Gilvesy stated. “The funding from the province recognizes the importance of working with farmers and ranchers to ensure they can provide the solutions the communities need. Wetlands and other nature-based solutions to environmental challenges are cost-effective. Investing in and creating these solutions now makes farming, communities, and economies more resilient in the long-term.”