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NEWS RELEASES - 2004
Restoring a Watershed - August 3, 2004
Prepared by Nancy Tilt for the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association
"It's a little creek with a large community following that sees a greener future with this creek's rehabilitation," says Elizabeth Godelie, Public Relations Supervisor with the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority (KCCA). The 'little creek' is Dodd Creek and its tributaries, a subwatershed of Kettle Creek south of London, and it's the focus of an ambitious rehabilitation project under KCCA's direction.
Dodd Creek lies in flat to gently rolling land, flowing through clay loam soil. Corn and soybean crops predominate, along with a few livestock operations. Progressive agricultural production over the last couple of centuries has replaced much of the once extensive forest cover and streamside vegetation. The area is agriculturally rich, but some of the natural ability of trees and wetlands to keep soil erosion in check and regulate water levels has been compromised.
Several partners have joined ranks with KCCA to provide financial support for the Dodd Creek Rehabilitation Project. The Agricultural Environmental Stewardship Initiative (AESI), funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and administered through the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) and the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition, has contributed to this initiative. The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association is reporting on the project on behalf of AAC.
"Increasing forest cover is a primary objective of the project," advises Jeff Lawrence, KCCA's Watershed Rehabilitation Coordinator. Deciding where to start is always a challenge in a project of this scope. KCCA tackled the project using satellite imagery to map the type and extent of existing forest cover along the tributaries of the watershed.
"Those areas lacking cover next to watercourses and wetlands became high priority sites for planting," explains Jeff. Since 2001, more than 50 landowners have participated in the project, planting 150,000 tree and shrub seedlings of at least 20 different species, and achieving an increase in forest cover of over 100 acres. Plantings included at least 20% Carolinian species, characteristic of this part of southern Ontario.
Participating landowners come from varied backgrounds. Three years ago, rural landowners, Elizabeth and Wade Thompson, bought a 71 acre farm near Glanworth, about half of which is treed swamp. They raise some poultry for their personal use, and rent out a 5 acre pasture on the corner of their property. "Our dream is to return our property to natural forest cover. We love being outdoors and thrill to all the encounters with wildlife," explains Elizabeth.
Their land is part of the provincially significant Glanworth Wetland Complex and borders a tributary of Dodd Creek. A previous landowner reforested 15 acres of the property. Now, with help from the Rehabilitation Project, they are reforesting another 8 acres. During the past two springs, over 7000 trees and shrubs of several species were planted, all native, local stock. This not only benefits the Thompson's property, but also fills a gap in the larger forest corridor and wetland complex that extends beyond their property boundaries.
As Elizabeth puts it, "We're doing our part to protect the health of the environment, and in the long run that's going to protect our health too." She can't say enough about the advice, support and encouragement they've received from KCCA staff. The rehabilitation project came at the right time for them, meshing with their interests and objectives.
Local businessman Glenn White owns and rents about 1100 acres of cash crop land. He has a passion for conservation that has its roots in his family history. As a participant in the project, White retired 12 acres of land on a recently purchased property. Previously pastured to the edge of the creek, the retired portion includes a buffer along the creek and a portion of upland draining towards the watercourse.
"While I don't farm myself, I'm a farmer at heart. Some of the land that's marginal for production is better off in tree cover and offers many more benefits to us and the land that way. Even 10% of a property planted to trees helps hold water, buffer winds, retain soil, act as a filter, provide wildlife habitat, and improve aesthetics, not to mention increase value."
White requested a mixture of species in the 12,000 seedlings planted on his 12 acre parcel. Planting was a cooperative effort with Central Elgin Collegiate Institute students under KCCA's supervision. His property now harbours a wide diversity of native tree and shrub species, including such Carolinian species as Tulip tree, Red Oak, Bur Oak, Butternut, and Black Walnut.
Sugar Maple (a personal favourite of White's), Red Maple, White Ash and Green Ash make up the rest of the deciduous trees, with White Pine and White Spruce planted for winter cover. Shrub plantings include Grey Dogwood, Red Osier Dogwood, Nannyberry and Highbush Cranberry. A similar planting of 5000 seedlings along the stream on a neighbouring property downstream, courtesy of local Boy Scouts, has created a corridor about 1 km. in length.
Green Lane Environmental Group Ltd., a privately-owned waste management company, is one of the partners in the project. In a unique approach, the company registered a “conservation covenant” on title to a 46 acre parcel of land in favour of KCCA for creation of a wetland. Last fall, KCCA constructed the first phase of an 8 acre wetland next to mainstream Dodd Creek at its junction with Hwy. 401 to aid naturally in the regulation of water levels.
The wetland collects Dodd Creek's high flows during spring run-off. During times of low flow, water from the wetland seeps through the soil into the creek, helping maintain its base flow. The wetland has variable depths up to 12 feet, the edges stepped to encourage aquatic plant growth and ecological diversity.
Local high school students under KCCA's direction again cooperated in planting 1,500 tree and shrub seedlings on the banks of dredged soil around the wetland this spring. Future components of the project include a viewing platform and parking lot. Environmental Manager, Anne Hiscock, confirms, “Green Lane strongly supports this continuing project. We encourage others in the watershed to participate in watershed rehabilitation initiatives with KCCA."
These types of projects take time. "Within just five years we'll start to see results," Glenn White notes from his personal conservation efforts, "and within 15 years it'll look entirely different. It just takes some imagination to see the potential".
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For more information and photographs of the project, contact Andrew Graham, Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association; Tel: 519-826-4214 or e-mail:
oscia@ontariosoilcrop.org
