Conservation Areas Support Wildlife and Provide Ecosystem Services
Our conservation areas are more than places to hike. They protect forests, wetlands, rivers, meadows and grasslands, conserving biodiversity and the natural processes that keep ecosystems healthy. These protected natural spaces provide essential habitat for hundreds of native plant and animal species while giving people the opportunity to experience and connect with nature.
With more than 60 kilometres of trails to explore, every visit offers a chance to discover wildlife in the habitats they depend on. From the rare coastal marshes of Rattray Marsh Conservation Area to the restored grasslands at Upper Credit Conservation Area, each park plays a unique role in supporting wildlife and protecting the ecological functions and sustaining the ecosystem services on which we all depend.
Whether you’re exploring a favourite trail or visiting for the first time, here are just a few of the remarkable species you may encounter and the habitats that make their presence possible.
Common Snapping Turtles
Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems. Wetlands absorb and filter water helping to reduce flood risk and provide important habitat for fish, amphibians, birds and turtles. Rattray Marsh Conservation Area has one of the last remaining lakefront coastal marshes between Burlington and Toronto, making it an important refuge for wildlife.
One species you may spot one crossing a trail near the water’s edge or basking in the sun is the common snapping turtle. As one of Ontario’s largest freshwater turtles, its prehistoric appearance can seem intimidating, but snapping turtles generally prefer to avoid people and will move away when given the opportunity. If you encounter one on the trail, give it plenty of space, admire it from a distance and allow it to continue safely on its way.
Monarch Caterpillars and Common Milkweed
Native grasslands and meadows are among the most important habitats for pollinators and other wildlife, providing food, shelter and breeding space for countless species. Although these open habitats have become increasingly rare across southern Ontario, CVC protects and restores them in places like Upper Credit Conservation Area, where restored grasslands support a rich diversity of native plants and animals.
Keep an eye out for patches of common milkweed blooming in sunny open areas. With its large clusters of soft pink flowers, this native wildflower is much more than a beautiful summer bloom, it provides essential habitat for monarch butterflies.
Monarch caterpillars rely exclusively on milkweed as their food source. Without it, they cannot complete their life cycle. If you’re lucky, you may spot one of the distinctive yellow, black and white striped caterpillars feeding on the leaves before transforming into one of Canada’s most recognizable butterflies.
Common milkweed also supports milkweed tussock moth caterpillars, native bees, beetles and many other insects. Taking a closer look at these native plants often reveals an entire community of wildlife thriving within a healthy grassland ecosystem.
Milkweed tussock moth caterpillars, honeybees and various beetle species also feed on milkweed. Taking a closer look at native plants can often reveal an entire world of wildlife that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Great Blue Heron
Aquatic habitats support an incredible diversity of life. The newly restored wetlands, streams and shoreline at Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area have brought nature back to this once industrial land. Fish, amphibians, reptiles mammals are now calling this new conservation area home
Among the most recognizable wetland residents is the great blue heron. Standing more than a metre tall with long legs and an impressive wingspan, these patient hunters can stand perfectly still before striking with remarkable speed to catch fish, frogs and other aquatic prey.
White-tailed Deer
Large, connected forests and meadows provide wildlife with food, shelter and safe places to raise their young. Terra Cotta Conservation Area‘s 250 hectares (617 acres) of forests, wetlands and meadows protect a diverse mosaic of habitats where wildlife can move freely and thrive. Conserving these connected natural landscapes supports healthy ecosystems and the many species that call them home.
White-tailed deer are among the most familiar mammals found within these habitats. Early mornings and evenings are often the best times to catch a glimpse of one quietly browsing along the edge of a forest or meadow. Their excellent hearing, sense of smell and agility help them navigate these protected natural spaces.
Sharing Space with Wildlife
Seeing wildlife is one of the greatest rewards of exploring nature but every encounter comes with a responsibility to help protect the animals and habitats you’re enjoying. The best way to do that is by:
- Staying on designated trails: Venturing off trail can damage sensitive plants, disturb wildlife and contribute to erosion. It can also unintentionally harm smaller creatures, from insects feeding on native wildflowers to turtles nesting near the trail.
- Observe from a distance: If you spot wildlife, remember to observe from a distance. Never feed wild animals or try to approach them for a closer photo.
- Keep dogs leashed: Prevent your pet from chasing or harming wildlife by having them on a leash of six feet at all times. This is also for their safety and shows consideration for other park visitors who may be afraid of wandering dogs.
- Leave nature where it belongs: Resist the urge to pick wildflowers, collect plants or move natural objects like rocks and logs. These features provide food, shelter and nesting habitat for many species and leaving them undisturbed helps keep ecosystems healthy.
By giving wildlife the space it needs, you’re helping ensure these incredible encounters can continue for generations of visitors to enjoy.
The next time you head out on the trail, slow your pace, keep your eyes open and look a little closer. You never know what you might discover just beyond the path.
Learn more about trails and hiking in at Credit Valley Parks.
Share your wildlife photos with us on Facebook, Instagram and X.
By Kimberley Laird, Associate, Marketing and Communications