Caring for Nature in Chatham-Kent Landowner Action in Carolinian Canada What does it mean to farmers? The Unique Nature The fertile farmland that is so of Chatham-Kent characteristic of Chatham-Kent is the he Municipality of Chatham-Kent result of the gentle climate and rich is located in a region rich in rare soils that developed here under forests, Tand unusual plants and animals. wetlands and prairies since the glacial ice This life zone is called Carolinian sheets receded 10,000 years ago. While Canada, with more wild species than working these soils to provide high- any other part of the country. In © Larry Cornelis The Municipality is working with conservation partners to protect 100 quality food for the region, farmers and Canada’s deep south, Chatham-Kent year old trees in Chatham-Kent. Landowners can help too. Find out rural landowners have also done much to has many species found nowhere else more inside. steward the natural resources that remain in Canada and an incredible diversity in Chatham-Kent. of habitats from forest to prairie. Landowners Building Connections Animals such as Southern Flying Jim and Georgina Sheldon have donated 40 Today, farmers are concerned about Squirrel and Prothonotary Warbler, ha (100 ac) of swamp and retired farmland to our water and air and about the loss and trees such as the towering Tulip the Nature Conservancy of Canada, a national of soils in Chatham-Kent. As a result, Tree and Sassafras can be found in charity that led the protection of Clear Creek many more people are getting involved Rondeau Park, Ontario’s second oldest Forest near Highgate. This parcel is part of the in stewardship work. Farmers can now Provincial Park. On the western Turin Paw-paw Woods, one of southwestern find many conservation partners who border in the Lake St. Clair Marshes, Ontario’s larger forests. The property is a green will provide assistance and funding for the King Rail pursues its prey of frogs link between Clear Creek Forest and Skunk’s and snails, while the Eastern Spiny the stewardship work that they would Misery. The Sheldons and the Conservancy Softshell turtle can be seen sunning like to do. Ontario’s Environmental Farm are working with a wide range of conservation on logs in the Thames River or nesting partners to restore wetlands, meadows and Plan, developed by farmers, is a leading- on Lake Erie beaches. edge stewardship program and continues upland forest to the property. ‘We donated the land because we always wanted to expand and increase incentives The rich diversity of these natural areas to keep the remaining forest in its for farmers. Other local conservation developed over Eastern Spiny Softshell natural state and to let it re-grow partners include Stewardship Kent, millennia in our turtle hatchling where the land was not suitable for the Conservation Authorities, Ducks mild climate and farming’ says Georgina. Unlimited Canada, the Wetland Habitat their survival Butterfly Milkweed Fund, the Soil and Crop Improvement depends on Association, and the Ontario Ministry of conservation Natural Resources. Look inside for more actions taken by details. people, now and in Gillingwater Scott © the past, who care about the unique nature of Chatham- Kent. Read inside about many local residents and communities who are © Ron Gould getting involved. The Tulip Tree leaf is a symbol of wild species found here that are more typical of the U.S. Carolinas. Chatham-Kent is located deep in Carolinian Canada, the northern limit for many Carolinian species. Chatham-Kent is one of the few places in OntarioCaring where expanses offor Tallgrass Nature Prairie habitat in occurredLambton naturally. Less than1 1% of the original habitat remains. Many landowners are now helping to bring back the prairie on marginal lands. © Gerry Clements The Big Picture in The centrefold Chatham-Kent map shows the rich natural heritage Picture of the Big Picture in Chatham-Kent. Here are some of the best natural Carolinian Canada areas in Carolinian Canada with internationally important The ‘Big Picture’ is Carolinian Canada Coalition’s vision of areas for bird migration along the lakeshores and globally a network of green spread out across the southwestern rare ecosystems around Chenal Ecarte. Eight core habitats Ontario landscape. Healthy landscapes need large natural in Chatham-Kent include Provincial Parks, First Nations, ‘core habitats’ connected by ‘habitat corridors’ to keep Conservation Areas and National Wildlife Areas. our air and water clean for human and wild communities. However, with some of the lowest levels of habitat in Ontario, Existing natural areas such as forests, wetlands and prairie, Chatham-Kent’s wild plants and animals are still fast declining. form the backbone of the system. These are connected by This trend also means that we are losing landscape functions streams, rivers, drains, hedgerows, smaller woodlots and shown on the next page. even backyard habitat. The Big Picture is science-based and By linking and adding habitat was developed in collaboration with many conservation through many local actions, partners. Although it works at a large scale, it offers a Chatham-Kent can make a method for local communities to develop their own Big difference for the future. Most Picture vision. natural areas in Chatham- Many other groups and land use plans use the Big Picture Kent are managed by private as a basis, including various Official Plans, the Conservation landowners who voluntarily Blueprint (Nature Conservancy of Canada) and the protect and steward them. © Ben Porchuck Greenways Strategy (Ontario Nature). All told, ‘The Big In many cases the benefits Picture’ identifies 140 core natural areas in Carolinian from one landowner’s The Monarch butterfly is declining and its Canada and provides a vision for a sustainable landscape in conservation action spills caterpillar depends on the native which everyone can participate. Common Milkweed to survive. over to neighbours and the You can experience its awe-inspiring surrounding communities. migration to Mexico every fall at Rondeau Provincial Park. Visit www.carolinian.org to zoom in on any part of the Big Picture and find out more about habitat cores and corridors in your area. ALofty Glimpse Trees of the Past • 1790: ‘lofty trees rising high from the very water’s edge giving Carolinian Canada “Big Picture” the Thames River the appearance of a walled ditch’ A Network of Habitat Cores and Corridors – Victor Lauriston • 1830: ‘Even King Street [in Chatham] was lined with stretches of primeval forest’ – Victor Lauriston • 1837: ‘so thick was the overhanging foliage, that...we travelled on through a perpetual gloom of vaulted boughs and intermingled shade…the timber was all hard timber, walnut, beech and bass-wood, and oak and maple of most luxuriant growth’ – Anna Jameson Meadows, Marshes and Prairie • 1792: ‘On each side [of the Thames River] and for a distance upstream of 6 miles were extensive meadows and marshes... To the Dover side, the marshes and meadows extended north northeast as far as the eye could see.’– McNiff © Ontario Natural Heritage Information Centre and Carolinian Canada Coalition Swamps • 1790: ‘vast forests which covered the country were usually Every Bit Helps! swampy’ – Victor Lauriston Eastern Bluebird sightings have Healthy landscapes are made up of many small actions. The Big Picture is enhanced by even become very rare in Chatham-Kent due to loss of suitable grassland the smallest isolated natural areas. As more landowners get involved in stewardship, who habitats but they still nest around knows? Perhaps that acre that you restored years ago will become a healthy environmental Clear Creek Forest and Rondeau. feature as our Big Picture landscape evolves. Every natural area is important and we can, © Ron Gould as a community, work together to create a network of green that will be a healthy and functioning place to live now, and into the future. You don’t need a large property to help out. Backyard, community and schoolyard naturalization projects play an important 2 ecological and educational role. Many native plant species that are important food sources for birds and butterflies also produce brilliant flowers that are enjoyed by people. Natural habitat benefits farms, homes and communities Why Should I Care? with important landscape functions. Clean Air Productive Land Natural habitat filters air, Natural habitat builds soil provides oxygen & guards quality & prevents erosion against Climate Change Diversity of Life Happy Communities Wild places provide beautiful Studies show that people are landscapes, natural pest happier & property values control & wildlife to watch increase around natural areas Energy Savings & Safety Trees protect homes from extreme heat, cold & wind Clean Water Wetlands & buffers filter water & guard against floods & droughts Drawing by Shawn McKnight Not sure where to start? Contact a conservation partner listed in this What Can I Do? factsheet to discuss habitat options on your land or in your community. Manage for Sustainable Income Common Enemies If you depend on your land for survival, your forest can provide Alien weeds and nuisance wildlife are symptoms of a landscape you with a good long-term income if harvested properly and out of balance and common enemies to farmers and natural will also provide wildlife habitat. For example, leave mature areas. Vigilant action of landowners, gardeners and outdoor seed trees scattered through your woods to sustain its genetic enthusiasts will go far to battle widespread invasions of non- richness. native species that can destroy natural ecosystems. Natural Homes Make Connections Wildlife shelter includes leaf litter, gnarled branches, old Restore habitat along roads, watercourses, drains, shorelines, logs, brush piles, wet meadows, tall grass, marshes, swamps fences, hedgerows and on marginal land or marshy ground. and more. Resist the desire to ‘clean up’ a habitat. You may Work with neighbours to connect green corridors.