Shawanaga First Nation part of the province’s historic investment in wetlands restoration
The project aims to manage invasive species at 10 to 12 sites within the community
Over 24 acres of wetlands within the Georgian Bay Biosphere will see the removal of invasive species with the help of Shawanaga First Nation and the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program.
Over 24 acres of wetlands within the Georgian Bay Biosphere will see the removal of invasive species with the help of Shawanaga First Nation and the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program.
“We’re trying to basically stop the spread while it’s still in fairly early stages,” said Steven Kell, wildlife biologist as well as species at risk, conservation and wildlife programs co-ordinator at Shawanaga First Nation.
The funding came as part of a $6.9-million investment by the Ontario government to restore more than 2,400 acres of wetlands across the province.
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The five-year Wetlands Conservation Partner Program was one of Ontario’s largest investments in wetland restoration, providing $30 million for a wide range of projects to restore and enhance wetlands as well as support municipal stormwater management.
“A good majority of Shawanaga is wetlands,” said Kell. “It’s sort of like a mosaic of rock outcrops, wetlands and forest and habitat.”
With this project, Shawanaga aims to tackle the invasive species that have recently crept their way into the area to preserve the wetlands for the species at risk that use them.
Phragmites have started to appear mostly along roadways, said Kell. Although they are small patches, the First Nation wanted to manage the invasive plant early on before the situation spiralled out of control.
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Along with phragmites, Shawanga planned to combat the purple loosestrife that has progressively made its way into the community. Described as similar to phragmites, Kell said, the purple-flowered plant forms dense stands that choke out the native species.
“Three years ago, I didn’t really see any at all in Shawanaga. And then over the last three years, it’s sort of been growing more and more.”
Kell said the project will facilitate what he referred to as an Indigenous task force or invasive control unit of staff or community members to manage invasive species at 10 to 12 sites within Shawanaga.
Once the phragmites were controlled within and around Shawanaga, Kell said the task force or control unit planned to lend its services to nearby First Nations or townships.
