Conservation Projects Ontario Community Stream Steward Program 2010-11
Click here to view an article regarding Wildlife Habitat Canada's support of the Community Stream Steward Program.
Goals and Objectives
Our key objective is to enhance wetland and riparian habitats, which will provide maximum benefit to the waterfowl populations that they support. We will accomplish this through public, landowner, and volunteer engagement in habitat enhancement projects.
1) educate landowners, community members, and volunteers on the value of wetlands and riparian areas to waterfowl habitat
2) engage landowners in restoration projects to enhance waterfowl habitat and promote the establishment of wildlife corridors
3) recruit and train local volunteers and community groups to undertake stewardship initiatives for waterfowl habitat protection
4) continue to foster productive working relationships between landowners and agencies for sustainable, long-term management of waterfowl habitats
Activities
Activities: We will achieve our goals and objectives by:
1) Conducting 30 site visits to promote best management practices for wetlands and riparian areas, and to disseminate information relating to the importance of healthy habitats for successful waterfowl populations (including flyers and pamphlets from both our program and partner programs).
2) Identifying, planning, and implementing 5 wetland and/or riparian habitat restoration or enhancement projects (ex. native shoreline plantings, livestock exclusion, bank stabilization, nesting boxes).
3) Hosting 1-2 workshops/open houses in cooperation with partner agencies and organizations to initiate landowner and community engagement, knowledge, and participation in waterfowl habitat stewardship initiatives.
4) Recruiting and engaging 80 volunteers in 340 hours of stewardship projects and/or workshops.
Specific Habitat Products/Results to be Supported by WHC’s Contributions
Wildlife Habitat Canada’s contribution to this initiative will result in a total of 325 hectares of wetland habitat being conserved/restored/enhanced:
- 30 site visits to landowners owning an average of 5 hectares/property = 150 hectares conserved
- 1-2 workshops being attended by 20 people owning an average of 5 hectares/property = 150 hectares conserved
- 5 habitat projects of 5 hectare average size = 25 hectares restored/enhanced
Through the implementation of projects and workshops, this initiative will engage 80 volunteers for a total of 340 volunteer hours:
- 30 landowners engaged in site visits of 2 hours each = 30 volunteers, 60 hours
- 5 projects each with 4 volunteers working 8 hours each = 20 volunteers, 160 hours
- 20 participants attending 1-2 workshops for 4 hours each = 30 volunteers, 120 hours
Benefits to Waterfowl, Wetlands-Associated Species, and/or Other Wildlife
By preserving, restoring, and enhancing three different wetland habitats (forested, grassland, and shallow, emergent vegetation wetlands), this initiative will benefit a complex array of waterfowl and wetland-associated species. The species of waterfowl include, but are not limited to, the Wood Duck in forested wetlands; Blue-winged Teal in grassland wetlands; Northern Pintail, American Widgeon, and Green-winged Teal in shallow wetlands; and Mallard, Gadwall, and American Black Duck across these habitat types. Whether they are used as breeding and nesting grounds or as corridors during migratory movements, establishing or enhancing wetland habitats will improve the size and health of waterfowl populations in Ontario.
Wetland environments are among the most productive in the world, generating an abundance of plants and animals that support not only waterfowl populations but also a variety of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The Grey Tree Frog, Leopard Frog, and Green Frog rely on the aquatic and terrestrial insects associated with wetlands for food, as well as the water environment for reproduction and development. These species are sensitive to water quality, which can be maintained through enhancing wetland environments. Painted and Blanding’s turtles require healthy, complex wetland environments in which to feed, reproduce, and bask in the sun on a warm day. The native shoreline vegetation present on the banks of ponds and rivers produced berries throughout the growing season, which sustains bird and mammal populations living on or near wetlands. The Marsh Wren, Garter Snake, and Muskrat are only a few of the animals that landowners and the public can expect to see around the wetlands and riparian areas enhanced through this Wetland Habitat Initiative.
Relevance to Habitat Planning, Decision Making and/or Management
This initiative will directly influence the amount of wetland habitat being conserved through site visits, project implementation, and workshops. This will target landowners and community volunteers with the goal of engendering stewardship initiatives throughout the target regions. By promoting both education and project implementation, this initiative aims to create long-term conservation of wetland and riparian environments. Stewardship activities initiated through this program can continue to benefit wetland habitat, waterfowl, and the community at large for years to come.
Through our partnerships with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Stewardship Councils, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and various funding agencies, we are able to develop long-term relationships which link the landowner with community agencies, and provincial governments. This provides both a larger voice for the concerns and priorities of landowners and an increased understanding of the priorities for wetland conservation within the partner organizations. In addition, other local agencies, such as Conservation Authorities and conservation organizations, can benefit through the landowner network created and project designs developed through the identification, planning, and implementation of projects through this initiative.
Project Location
The Community Stream Steward Program – Waterfowl Habitat Initiative will extend over a wide range of Central Ontario, including the Counties of Northumberland, Peterborough, and Simcoe, the City of Kawartha Lakes, and Durham and York Regions. Site visits will be distributed throughout this region, based on landowner requests, partner referrals, and identification of target areas. Habitat projects will be identified and then prioritized based on maximization of waterfowl benefit and geographic location, in order to ensure equitable distribution of projects. Projects will also be prioritized in order to leverage as much funding and in-kind support as possible to achieve project goals.
Site visits will be conducted in all landscape types including rural, urban, agricultural, open field/prairie, and forested areas in order to educate and promote wetland conservation efforts across a diverse range of environments. Project sites will be selected to highlight three different landscape types required by waterfowl in Ontario: forested wetlands, grassland wetlands, and shallow, emergent-vegetation wetlands. This will allow the initiative to promote the conservation of waterfowl reliant on different habitats, such as Wood Ducks in forested wetlands, Blue-winged Teal in grasslands, and Northern Pintail in shallow wetlands.
Access to project properties for migratory game bird hunting will be determined by the landowner on a site-by-site basis.