Wetland Creation & Restoration

Coastal Wetland Before

Wetland Under Construction

Established Coastal Wetland

Wetlands are areas of land covered by water for all or part of the year and they have three distinct characteristics: a water source, poorly-drained soils and wetland vegetation and there are four distinct wetland types: marsh, swamp, bog and fen.

Prior to European settlement, southern Ontario had two to three times the wetland area it does today.  Over the last 100 years, clearing and drainage for agricultural expansion has resulted in significant wetland loss.

Wetlands not only provide habitat for hundreds of wildlife and plant species but they also serve many functions important to the health and sustainability of rural landscapes.

The eastern shore of Lake St. Clair is a significantly extensive and ecologically important system of Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands. These marshes are of international significance thanks to their vital support of numerous waterfowl species during spring and fall migrations and for the habitat they provide for a vast number of plant and animal species at risk. The region is one of the few remaining extensive wetland systems in south-western Ontario, supporting a high diversity of species, and encompassing significant coastal wetland systems, like Walpole Island and St. Clair National Wildlife Area.

Thanks to many years of experience designing, implementing and executing a variety of wetland restoration projects ONS offers expert assistance in restoring and/or establishing wetlands. Contact us for help with:

  • Site plan development and surveying
  • Enhancing existing wetland features or creating new wetland
  • Installing wetland enhancement features (nesting structures like mallard nesting cylinders, wood duck boxes, turtle nest sites)
  • Permit acquisition
  • Assessing & restoring impaired wetland functions
  • Installation of water control structures
  • Naturalizing wetlands by seeding or planting native plants
  • Invasive species control
  • Managing surface water control through the Municipal Drainage Act