2022
Restoring & Improving Water Quality in the Minesing Wetlands
Project Objective
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), partners, community members, and volunteers will undertake work across the Minesing Wetlands Natural Area to improve and restore water quality in these internationally significant wetlands.
The Minesing Wetlands is one of the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s oldest active natural areas and is one of the largest and least disturbed wetlands in southern Ontario. Since 1974, NCC and our partners have protected over 5,500 hectares (13,600 acres) of conservation lands, many of which are now owned and managed by NCC’s primary partner on the landscape: the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA). Comprising approximately 10,937 hectares (27,025 acres) of wetlands, fields, and forests, the Minesing Wetlands are often referred to as the “Everglades of the North” due to their designation as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance – a distinction they share with their Floridian counterpart.
The Minesing Wetlands are home to more than 30 at-risk species including: least bittern, cerulean warbler, Blanding’s turtle, and the Hine’s emerald dragonfly known to exist in Canada only in the Minesing Wetlands. It is also an important habitat for many wetland birds and waterfowl, which flock to the area in the tens of thousands during spring migration when most of the wetlands resemble a large lake and is an important nursery for many freshwater fish and invertebrates.
Today, the Minesing Wetlands faces several threats that impact the quality of this important freshwater ecosystem. Erosion and sedimentation from surrounding lands, nutrient loading, and invasive species are some of the threats impacting the wetlands. Through this project NCC will continue to restore riparian zones and retired agricultural fields surrounding the wetlands, which will address several threats and contribute to improving freshwater quality for both nature and the local communities.
