This Friday, the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) is celebrating the creation of almost 1,000 acres of wetlands since 2008.
World Wetlands Day will be celebrated on Friday, February 2.
In honour of the day, the Conservation Authority is encouraging landowners to consider local wetland restoration. Staff say the projects are possible with low or no costs to the landowners thanks to the support of funding partners.
One of the 131 landowners the ABCA has helped in the last 15 years was Mels and Ruthanne van der Laan, of Cold Stream Ranch in Denfield.
In 2010, they contacted the Conservation Authority to see if it was possible to restore four acres of what was once pastureland into attractive wetlands.
“The wetlands attract wildlife such as deer, ducks, and a variety of birds,” said Ruthanne in a release. “There is a muskrat house in the pond. There are lots of frogs, snakes and a resident Heron and many wildflowers to admire. Neighbours stroll through at any given time just to admire the changes that have taken place over the years.”
ABCA says they loved the first wetland so much, they did a new project in 2023.
If you're interested in restoring wetlands on your land, contact Angela Van Niekerk, Wetlands Specialist, Ausable Bayfield Conservation by phone (519-235-2610) or by email.
