Help Wildlife in the Watershed
When we travel, we often make a number of stops along the way: A routine coffee stop on the morning commute; a stop for gas and snacks or an overnight stay at a hotel while on a road trip. Roads connect us to places where we can rest and refuel. When animals travel, they also need places to stop to get to where they’re going.
As we’ve grown and connected our communities, we’ve disrupted the natural corridors animals use to travel. Food sources and safe resting places are fewer and farther between. And often animals need to cross highways and other dangerous places that can lead to injury or death.
Making connections between natural areas, like woodlands, wetlands and streams can provide animals with the natural corridors they need to move across the landscape. Frogs and salamanders will be able to travel across meadows and forests to reach their breeding ponds in spring. Migrating birds will have safe places to rest as they make their long journeys north or south.
Building this natural heritage system generates other benefits as well. They support biodiversity by conserving plant and animal species, provide flood control by connecting water-collecting wetlands with other natural areas and offer areas for recreation and relaxation.
You can help build natural corridors and create connectivity starting on your property.
- Plant streamside buffers. Streams are natural links across the landscape. Planting along a stream connects land and water habitats for wildlife.
- Expand existing forests. Plant trees to increase the size of existing woodlands and connect them to other natural areas.
- Restore natural areas. Restore old fields and wetlands to improve ecosystem health and provide habitat, flood management, and great bird-watching opportunities.
We can help
Funding is available for eligible projects through the Landowner Action Fund, Rural Water Quality Programs and ALUS Peel Pilot. We also cover up to 100 per cent of the costs on eligible tree planting projects. Connect with a stewardship coordinator to get started.
Sincerely,
Your Countryside Stewardship Team