Habitat Restoration Projects

Wetlands support an abundance of biodiversity, and they are home to approximately 20% of Ontario’s species at risk, including our beloved Blanding’s turtles! However, they are delicate ecosystems and at great risk of habitat loss. Less than 30% of Southern Ontario’s original wetlands remain, and this number drops down to 10% in the Niagara and Greater Toronto Area. To help protect wetlands Adopt-A-pond has taken part in many restoration projects both at the Toronto Zoo and across Ontario.  

The Toronto Zoo makes up 710 acres of the Rouge Valley and makes a great effort to keep this land as natural as possible. To help restore some vital wetlands located within the Toronto Zoo and to help maintain a natural habitat Adopt-A-Pond has helped with the construction of several on-site ponds. Since 2013, six ponds have been constructed or restored, each varying in size and role in the ecosystem, and all of which we have seen local wildlife utilizing! Our largest projects were the restoration of Weston Pond, which you can visit in the Canadian Domain, and the restoration of the Canadian Wetlands, which you can find in the Tundra Trek. Both restoration projects allow providing vital habitat for species at risk and act as a learning opportunity for guests to visit, without the risk of harming local wildlife.  

Photo: Weston Pond prior to restoration work in 2014 compared to post-restoration in 2021.

Adopt-A-Pond has also taken part in restoration projects throughout Rouge National Urban Park, prior to the start of our Blanding’s Turtle headstarting program. When releasing wildlife, it’s important to release them into a habitat and ecosystem that is healthy, to provide the best chance of survival for the species. Due to this Parks Canada, Adopt-A-Pond and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry identified areas of concern and how to improve the Rouge Valley. This led to the restoration of the Rouge Valley and allows for a better survival for all wildlife and a better outcome for the Blanding’s turtle reintroduction.  

Being able to restore and provide habitat for wildlife is always a great feeling but it’s even better when we get to share this feeling and passion with community members. Over the years we have been lucky enough to have numerous community members and organizations help us to restore vital wetlands across Ontario. Most of the restoration projects started with concerned community members reaching out and volunteering to help restore and create habitats in their areas. Over the years Adopt-A-Pond has been able to create several turtle nesting sites, create overwintering sites for snakes, remove invasive species, co-host shoreline cleanups and reintroduce native species to the ecosystem. Without the support of the community, the work we do to protect wetlands would be greatly reduced. Conservation research started because of passionate individuals, and we strive to keep this passion going in all our restoration projects! Helping to connect people animals and conservation sciences to fight extinction.

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