The Nature Conservancy of Canada plans to create the largest wetland project in Ontario on Pelee Island.
It says it will create 62-acres of wetland, restore another 20-acres of native meadow, remove invasive species, and create new trails and signs for visitors.
The conservancy said it needs to raise $450,000 to start the project this spring.
Before the area was drained in the late 19th-century, it sheltered migratory songbirds and waterfowl. It is hoped the project will once again support those species.
It will also support migratory shorebirds like the semipalmated plover and spotted sandpipers, along with turtles, salamanders and other species.
"Wetlands play an important role in the health of our country and our communities. They play a critical role in absorbing and storing carbon pollution," said Acting Program Director, Julie Vasseur. "They also remove sediments, excess nutrients, and even bacteria from our drinking water. Like a giant sponge, they absorb and hold water to buffer our cities and farms from floods and droughts."
As the most southerly inhabited part of Canada, Pelee Island supports a high density of rare and at-risk species like the yellow-breasted chat, blue ash, Lake Erie watersnake, blue racer snake, and monarch butterflies. Some of these species are at the northern edge of their range, so Pelee Island is the only place in Canada where they are found.
"This project is a huge undertaking, but an important one," continued Vasseur.
