Monday, June 4, 2012
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Committed to the protection and preservation of wetlands the world over. I blog from White's Wetland, a beautiful tract of land in the heart of southwestern Ontario that has been in our family since 1837. It is an officially recognized wetland, sanctuary to a wide variety of plants and animals. I've created this blog to share nature's beauty with others while disseminating information about the importance of wetlands in the great ecological scheme of things.
What is a Wetland?
A wetland is an area of land that is covered by water for part or all of the year. There are four main types of wetlands in Ontario: swamp, marsh, bog and fen. But they are all environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) and worthy of conservation and protection.
At one time, there were over five million acres of wetlands in Southern Ontario. Less than 20% of those wetlands remain.
White’s Wetland is an officially designated ESA. The White family is proud to protect these thirty precious acres, representing some of this region's last remaining
wetlands.
At one time, there were over five million acres of wetlands in Southern Ontario. Less than 20% of those wetlands remain.
White’s Wetland is an officially designated ESA. The White family is proud to protect these thirty precious acres, representing some of this region's last remaining
wetlands.
Why are Wetlands Important?
Wetlands are one of the earth’s most productive and diverse ecosystems, acting as a natural water filtration and purification system. They are important because they are capable of filtering pollutants such as chemicals and nutrients from water. Our drinking water is safer, thanks to this natural
filter.
Wetlands help maintain the ground water table. They slow the water run-off after snowfalls and rainfalls, thereby preventing
flooding.
They also produce oxygen and are home to hundreds of birds, mammals, fish, plants and trees, many of which are rare or threatened.
Without wetlands, surrounding farmland would be drier or prone to flooding, entire ecosystems would vanish, the health of our water supply would suffer, and there would be less oxygen.
So, yes, the loss of wetlands significantly impacts human well-being. However, the loss of wetlands means the loss of habitat
to so many unique species that call them Home.
filter.
Wetlands help maintain the ground water table. They slow the water run-off after snowfalls and rainfalls, thereby preventing
flooding.
They also produce oxygen and are home to hundreds of birds, mammals, fish, plants and trees, many of which are rare or threatened.
Without wetlands, surrounding farmland would be drier or prone to flooding, entire ecosystems would vanish, the health of our water supply would suffer, and there would be less oxygen.
So, yes, the loss of wetlands significantly impacts human well-being. However, the loss of wetlands means the loss of habitat
to so many unique species that call them Home.
Why are there so few Wetlands today?
Despite the recent “greening” of government, sadly and far too often, precious areas that might have otherwise been saved have been lost to urban expansion and the slow but steady encroachment of the developer’s bulldozer.
White's Wetland in southwestern Ontario
"The discovery of White's wetland was exciting, since most of the wetlands in the Kettle Creek watershed were lost as the area was settled."
Jim McCoomb,
Kettle Creek Conservation Authority,
1993.
Jim McCoomb,
Kettle Creek Conservation Authority,
1993.
White's Wetland - Fast Facts
White’s Wetland is a deciduous seasonal swamp. A swamp is defined as “wooded wetlands where standing to gently flowing waters occur seasonally or persist for long periods on the surface. The vegetation cover may consist of coniferous or deciduous trees, tall shrubs, herbs and mosses.”
Over 95 different species of vegetation have been identified in our wetland woods. From the stately silver maples, blue beeches, yellow birches, black willows and white oaks (which gave the west boundary road its name) to the tiny “butter and eggs,” spotted touch-me-nots, wild leek and wood anemones, the trees, shrubs, underbrush and brambles of this ecosystem provide the rambling amateur naturalist with a staggering variety of plant life to identify and enjoy.
White’s Wetland also shelters wildlife: white-tailed deer, raccoon, fox, opossum, turtles and snapping turtles, brown trout, little brown bats, and numerous species of birds and songbirds, notably wild turkey, red-tailed hawks, northern harriers, mallards, blue heron, goldfinches, red-winged blackbirds and baltimore orioles. Most recently, cedar waxwings have been sighted on the property.
Kettle Creek Conservation Authority has determined that due to its contribution to the base flow of Dodd Creek, White’s Wetland is a valuable asset to the Kettle Creek Watershed.
Over 95 different species of vegetation have been identified in our wetland woods. From the stately silver maples, blue beeches, yellow birches, black willows and white oaks (which gave the west boundary road its name) to the tiny “butter and eggs,” spotted touch-me-nots, wild leek and wood anemones, the trees, shrubs, underbrush and brambles of this ecosystem provide the rambling amateur naturalist with a staggering variety of plant life to identify and enjoy.
White’s Wetland also shelters wildlife: white-tailed deer, raccoon, fox, opossum, turtles and snapping turtles, brown trout, little brown bats, and numerous species of birds and songbirds, notably wild turkey, red-tailed hawks, northern harriers, mallards, blue heron, goldfinches, red-winged blackbirds and baltimore orioles. Most recently, cedar waxwings have been sighted on the property.
Kettle Creek Conservation Authority has determined that due to its contribution to the base flow of Dodd Creek, White’s Wetland is a valuable asset to the Kettle Creek Watershed.
Why this Blog?
- Victoria
- I can think of no better way to use language than to speak out on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves, the other species with whom we share this beautiful planet. I passionately support the preservation of wild habitat, the protection of endangered species and the principles of the Deep Ecology movement.
Posts by Title
- agriculture (4)
- amphibians (8)
- animal foundations and charities (9)
- bees (3)
- biodiversity (13)
- birds (12)
- Carolinian (6)
- Earth Day (2)
- education (9)
- endangered species (21)
- extinction (8)
- film (1)
- forests (2)
- freshwater habitats (1)
- honey (1)
- Industrial Wind Turbines (4)
- insects (3)
- local food (1)
- London (4)
- mammals (5)
- migration (10)
- nature (12)
- nature photography (1)
- pollinators (5)
- reforestation (2)
- reptiles (3)
- Save The Frogs Day (4)
- science writing (3)
- southwestern Ontario (10)
- space (1)
- spiders (1)
- summer (2)
- The Great Lakes Bioregion (9)
- the universe (3)
- trees (5)
- Turtles (5)
- virtual walks (4)
- wetlands (11)
- wetlands under threat (2)
- wetlands under threat; water; water pollution (6)
- wildlife (9)
- wind energy issues (4)
Reflections: Great Quotes
"In Wildness is the preservation of the world."
Henry David Thoreau
"Nature is our grandest and oldest home, older than language, grander than consciousness."
Scott Russell Sanders
"I find I incorporate gneiss, coal,
long-threaded moss, fruits, grains,
esculent roots.
And am stuccoed with quadrupeds
and birds all over."
Walt Whitman
"Honour every being, for each is
needed to complete the tapestry
of life on earth.
Penelope Smith
"When one day, suddenly, everything becomes radiantly clear to you, you will happily and gratefully stretch in the grass, your face turned down to the earth."
Jaroslav Havelka
"I believe in God, only I spell it Nature."
Frank Lloyd Wright
Henry David Thoreau
"Nature is our grandest and oldest home, older than language, grander than consciousness."
Scott Russell Sanders
"I find I incorporate gneiss, coal,
long-threaded moss, fruits, grains,
esculent roots.
And am stuccoed with quadrupeds
and birds all over."
Walt Whitman
"Honour every being, for each is
needed to complete the tapestry
of life on earth.
Penelope Smith
"When one day, suddenly, everything becomes radiantly clear to you, you will happily and gratefully stretch in the grass, your face turned down to the earth."
Jaroslav Havelka
"I believe in God, only I spell it Nature."
Frank Lloyd Wright
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Important Sites To Visit
- Our Canadian Hinterland - A Who's Who List of our Wildlife
- Nature Conservancy of Canada
- The Kettle Creek Conservation Authority
- The Canadian Centre for Biodiversity
- The Audubon Society
- A Great Site for Birders: The Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- A Toolkit for Wetlands Owners
- Trees Ontario
- What is the Deep Ecology Movement?
- Wetlands International
- Banrock Station - A Wetlands Success Story