CONTENTS
September 1996
Community Effort: Bluffers Park Wetlands...
Aquatic Plants Programme...
Teamwork: The OHA and Adopt-A-Pond
What Happens to Frogs and Toads in the Winter?
1996 Survey Results
A Student's Fight for West Side Creek Marsh
Ecoscope: An Innovative to Environmental Education
COMMUNITY EFFORT: BLUFFERS PARK WETLANDS
by: Anna Collier
Environmental Youth Corps
Adopt-A-Pond Assistant
Wetlands are extremely important to our global environment. They are very diverse ecosystems which house many species of wildlife, even if for only a part of their life cycle. Studies show that 75% of Canadian wetlands are destroyed. When you consider that approximately one quarter of all wetlands on the planet are situated in Canada, this loss is enormous. A number of people are aware of the importance of wetlands and are designing wetland protection/restoration projects. Dunker's Project at Bluffers Park in Scarborough, Ontario is such a project. This project was designed with three goals in mind: habitat enhancement, educational opportunity, and water quality improvement.
During the second week of June, eight local schools met with the City of Scarborough, the Metro Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (MtrCA), and the Dunker's Project consulting team to help create the wetlands at Bluffers Park. The schools involved were Chine Drive P.S., John A. Leslie P.S., Cliffside P.S., Birchmount C.I., Fairmount Jr. P.S., RH King Academy, HA Halbert Jr. P.S., and Anson Park P.S. Students were given a tour of the site and participated in wetland plantings and educational activities. Schools also participated in the "Aquatic Plants Program", which is explained in a supplementary article in this newsletter.
The Bluffers Park wetlands are thriving with wildlife. Plant species include Sugar maple, dogwood, Serviceberry, willow, sumac, and cedar. A second planting is scheduled for next spring, pending on funding. Animal species include Painted turtles, nesting birds, dragonflies, Green and Blue herons, butterflies, and Kingfishers. I experienced my first view of a Great Blue heron. It was thrilling - herons are graceful and elegant birds! We also had the pleasure of witnessing a mama duck trying to teach her offspring how to forage for food in the water. There are many species of insects on site, both in the water and on land.
The Dunker's Project is a series of five constructed wetlands through which runoff water from the Scarborough Bluffs passes before reaching Lake Ontario. These ponds "clean" the water before it enters the waterway. Wetlands act as natural filters trapping sediments, toxins and heavy metals before they pollute the Great Lakes. The Bluffers Park wetlands are essentially detoxifying the runoff water from the bluffs before it enters Lake Ontario! Think of the natural cleaning ability of thousands of wetlands across Ontario!
A runoff catchment area along the base of the Scarborough Bluffs drains into the first of five ponds. Each pond drains into the next, and eventually the water enters Lake Ontario. The smaller ponds at Bluffers Park are used for erosion and sediment control, and the larger ponds are used for pollution control. There are storm sewers located on site, and during periods of heavy rainfall excess water will drain into the larger of the five ponds. About 5% of the water during heavy rainfall is sanitary overflow. Before the wetland site existed, the polluted storm sewer runoff ran straight into the lake.
Fences are strategically placed around the wetland to prevent carp from further invading Bluffers Park. Carp are not native to Canada, and pose a threat to native wetland wildlife. Students have participated in electrofishing, stunning the carp in the wetlands and then carrying them back to the lake.
The Dunker's Project at Bluffers Park is a collaborative effort from the MtrCA, City of Scarborough, Metro Parks, and consultants. The MtrCA owns the Bluffers Park site, the City of Scarborough is in charge of the operation of the park, and Metro Parks maintains the site. Four consulting firms provided their expertise in the construction of the Bluffers Park wetlands. Aquafor provided the engineering consultants, Geomatics International supplied the ecologists, Beak overlooked the aquatics, and Todd Hunter was the landscape architect for the project.
The Dunker's Project was funded by a federal, provincial, municipal infrastructure programme. The total allowance was $2.4 million.
Plans for Dunker's Project also include educational opportunities for students who visit the site. Visiting platforms will be constructed, as well as a kiosk displaying types of pollution from urban areas and suggestions for reducing this pollution. Visual Arts of Ontario will design the displays.
Adopt-A-Pond would like to extend a special thank you to Derek Mack-Mumford and Victoria Jeffery for giving us a tour of the site. Wetland plants and animals now have a new home thanks to the Dunker's Project at Bluffers Park. At one point during the tour a dragonfly actually landed on Mr. Mack-Mumford's mouth and he said it was giving him the "kiss of life".
AQUATIC PLANTS PROGRAMME
by: Anna Collier
Environmental Youth Corps
Adopt-A-Pond Assistant
What is the Aquatic Plants Programme?
The Aquatic Plants Programme was developed to provide multiple benefits to both human and wildlife components of the environment. The Aquatic Plants Programme involves students and teachers in the creation and restoration of natural habitats in their community. Wetland plants are grown from seed in the classroom. These plants are used for wetland plantings, or donations to local projects through the Metro Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (MtrCA). The Aquatic Plants Programme provides hands-on experience to students, and allows them to contribute to their community.
The Aquatic Plants Programme is coordinated by the MtrCA and partner municipalities, and is funded by the Metro Toronto Remedial Action Plan (MtrAP) and the Great Lakes 2000 Cleanup Fund. The MtrAP is an organization of public and government bodies who strive to improve ecosystem health in the Greater Toronto Area.
What are Aquatic Plants?
The three types of aquatic plants are emergent, submergent, and floating-leaf. Emergent plants grow above the surface of the water and include cattails and bulrushes. Submergent plants grow below the water's surface and include Canada waterweed and coontail. Floating-leaf plants are rooted in the bottom mud of the wetland but their leaves float on the surface of the water.
The Aquatic Plants Programme selects emergent plants as their main focus because the seeds are found above water and are easier to collect. In addition, the seeds require a lesser amount of water in which to germinate and grow, and their stalks are more sturdy and easier to transport and transplant.
Aquatic Plants Programme Kit
The kit includes seeds, instructions, 2.5 litres of sterilized potting soil, one dishpan, and 6 four-section planting pots. The kit enables the growth of a minimum of 16 plants, and usually contains only one type of seed.
Why is the Aquatic Plants Programme Important?
The aquatic plants grown through this programme help to restore and create wetlands in local communities, provide fish and wildlife habitat, enhance water quality in lakes and rivers, and promote public enjoyment of wetlands.
How to Get Involved in the Aquatic Plants Programme
Contact the MtrCA anytime before the March Break so that the seeds can be grown immediately following the break, and can be ready for transplanting in May or early June.
Aquatic Plants Programme
trCA
5 Shoreham Drive
Downsview, ON
M3N 1S4
Phone: (416) 661-6600
Fax: (416) 661-6898
TEAMWORK: THE ONTARIO HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION AND ADOPT-A-POND
by: Anna Collier
Environmental Youth Corps
Adopt-A-Pond Assistant
Did you say 90 years old? Yep, that's right. The Ontario Horticultural Association (OHA) recently celebrated its 90th anniversary. They might be old, but they're still going strong!
In 1993, Don Matthews (Chairperson of the Preservation and Environment Committee for OHA) contacted Bob Johnson (Curator of Amphibians and Reptiles at the Metro Toronto Zoo) wanting to promote the Adopt-A-Pond programme to all 275 Horticultural Societies in Ontario.
Both the Zoo and the OHA receive hundreds of inquiries yearly from homeowners regarding the creation of frog-friendly backyards. In recognition of this interest, and with the encouragement of the OHA and the Canadian Wildlife Service, the Metro Toronto Zoo wrote the book "The Urban Outback - Wetlands for Wildlife. A Guide to Wetland Restoration and Frog-Friendly Backyards." The OHA donated $500 towards the printing of the book, and a number of their members (Don Matthews, Gwyn Brundrett, Metjie Mabee, and Anne Morgan) volunteered as editors. Heather Gosselin, Adopt-A-Pond Coordinator, introduced the book at the Spring '96 OHA conference in Kingston, Ontario. One copy of "The Urban Outback" was given to all 275 Ontario Horticultural Societies.
After receiving a copy of "The Urban Outback", Barrie Hopkins, a director in the Fergus District Horticultural Society (FDHS), decided to distribute a copy of the book to every public school and high school in the district. Roberta Vlietstra (FDHS president) and Don Matthews were featured on Cable 3 Fergus, and in the Fergus-Elora News Express (Wed. Jan. 24, 1996) for their efforts in promoting the Adopt-a-Pond programme in local schools. The FDHS provided local schools and libraries with Adopt-A-Pond wetland education kits. The librarian at Fergus Public Library said "There is a great need for the book 'The Urban Outback' and citizens come in and request it all the time." She believes it is the only hands-on resource of its kind available.
A special thank you to the OHA and its members for their efforts in promoting the need to protect, restore and create wetlands within their societies and local communities. Happy Anniversary to you....and many more!
WHAT HAPPENS TO FROGS AND TOADS IN THE WINTER?
by: Anna Collier
Environmental Youth Corps
Adopt-A-Pond Assistant
When frogs and toads start calling in March, you know that spring is almost here. The music of their calls is a message to us that soon the trees, flowers and animals will wake up from their long winter nap. So where do these messengers disappear to when the temperature starts to drop in the fall?
There are three ways frogs and toads can protect themselves during the winter months. Amphibians can burrow below the frost line so that their body fluids never freeze, hibernate in leaf litter and develop a sugary "antifreeze" that enables them to tolerate ice formation in their body, or hibernate underwater in rivers, lakes or ponds where the deeper water never freezes.
Frogs and toads begin their hibernation between October and November. When the temperature decreases, respiration and circulation slow until eventually the amphibian sleeps. As long as the temperature of the blood and protoplasm of the heart are not much below freezing, the frozen body parts will recover in the spring. The frogs which develop sugary antifreeze remain active throughout the entire winter because they can tolerate temperatures of -6 C for five days. Even though most of the frogs and toads are asleep, moisture is still a necessity for them. Water is taken from the leaves or soil which serve as their winter homes. Those frogs which never leave the pond in the winter have a constant supply of water available. When the temperature starts to rise again in the spring, frogs and toads awaken from their hibernation without knowing they were asleep! Once again their calls will send a message to you that spring is on its way.
The results are in! The Adopt-A-Pond programme sent a survey to all schools on its mailing list in the spring of 1996, and had a 19% response rate from participants. The purpose of the survey is to monitor the schools participating in the programme and to get feedback from teachers. The ideas for many of the articles in our newsletters come from the comments on surveys. We want to share the results with you so you too can see how the programme is developing. Here is what we learned:
Question: Has your class/school participated in any wetland and/or amphibian
conservation lessons/activities/projects?
Yes 66%
No 34%
If yes, please describe:
Classroom Studies 42%
Wetland Study 33%
Created Pond 10%
Growing Wetland Plants 6%
Restored Habitat 9%
Also, 29% of the respondents received certificates for their involvement with wetlands.
The results show that many teachers now include a wetland study as a part of their curriculum. Almost half the respondents had hands-on experience from visiting a local wetland. This is very encouraging to us at Adopt-A-Pond, as I hope it is to you. The statistics are excellent! Thank you for taking the time to answer our survey, and keep up the good work!
A STUDENT'S FIGHT FOR WEST SIDE CREEK MARSH
by: Anna Collier
Environmental Youth Corps
Adopt-A-Pond Assistant
Wetlands are a vital contributor to our global environment. They filter water, prevent flooding and erosion, and provide habitat for wildlife. Many people do not recognize the importance of wetlands, and the reasons we must preserve and protect them. Over 75% of Canada's wetlands have been lost to development. As wetlands are lost, so are the many plant and animal species that depend on them for survival.
A marsh in Clarington county, Ontario is receiving a lot of attention over the last couple of years. A Bowmanville High School student is also receiving a lot of attention. What's the connection? Leah Houston is trying to save West Side Creek Marsh.
In 1968, St. Mary's Cement acquired a permit to quarry limestone from West Side Creek Marsh. In 1983, the area was designated as a Class 2 wetland. The marsh is presently the only unprotected Class 2 wetland from Burlington to Trenton. Class 2 means the wetland is very sensitive to change and supports a great deal of wildlife. In 1994, when St. Mary's put in it's application to the Ministry of Natural Resources to drain the marsh, Council advised the company to pursue other options. Leah, then 15 years old, became very concerned over the possibility of losing this wetland habitat. Leah explains, "I thought someone else would protect the marsh." But when no one seemed to care, Leah decided to take action. The company was steadfast in its plan, and so was Leah.
Leah gathered a group of students together to form an organization called "Youth in Action" which consists of about 150 members. A petition of over 1800 signatures was also accumulated. Leah appeared before Clarington Council and spoke of the plight of the wetland. She also tied ribbons around trees in the marsh, and was featured in several newspaper articles.
"Youth in Action" was founded by Leah Houston in 1994. This group is recognized by the Municipality of Clarington and Ministers of the Environment, Transportation, and Natural Resources. The group is supported by the Federation of Ontario Naturalists and Citizens for Lakeshore Greenway. "Youth in Action educates other youth on the importance of wetland ecosystems and provides an example for students to act on their own behalf.
Leah informed me recently that 60% of the marsh is preserved. Now the cement company has put forth another application to drain 75% of the marsh, so Leah is still fighting.
This is one story of how students and young people can make a difference in their communities. Leah's efforts were key in securing 60% of the West Side Creek marsh. I am sure the beavers, herons, deer, fox, wolves, kingfishers, cranes, Blue birds, muskrats, Green frogs...and all the other wetland wildlife are grateful.
ECOSCOPE: AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Get ready to get your feet wet! Ecoscope is an innovative and powerful approach to education for a sustainable future. It is an outcome-based education programme which provides young people with opportunities to learn about natural ecosystems, contribute to the evaluation and long-term monitoring of a local ecosystem, and participate responsibly and critically with their community in the management of these ecosystems. Ecoscope is designed for teachers and their students, supports the existing curriculum, and is geared towards grades 10 through 12.
"Ecoscope for Sustaining Wetlands" is the first module of the Ecoscope programme. Participation in this module involves the following steps:
- Wetland Ecology - students learn the basics of wetland ecosystems.
- Investigating a Wetland - students investigate and assess a local wetland ecosystem, examining biological productivity and diversity, water quality, ecological functions, and human uses and values.
- Writing a State of the Wetland Report - students analyze data in the classroom and write a report.
- Wetland Management and Conservation - students investigate competing interests with regards to the wetland site (farmers, bird-watchers, developers, and hunters) to explore how society makes decisions about sustaining wetland resources.
- Developing a Conservation Plan - students use WetNet which provides a database of evaluations and monitoring of wetlands, a learning environment for wetland research, and an international forum on wetland issues and conservation.
- Participating in Wetland Conservation - students participate in conservation projects, including monitoring amphibian populations, controlling purple loosestrife, and building and maintaining nesting boxes.
Local conservation authorities support teachers and students in the use of Ecoscope. The programme is delivered to teachers through professional development workshops. During these workshops, teachers conduct field studies, assess resources and surf Ecoscope on the Internet at the workshops. These workshops help form partnerships between teachers and conservation groups.
Ecoscope is a project of the Common Heritage Programme of Ottawa, Canada. The Common Heritage Programme is a not-for-profit organization focusing on education on environment and development issues. Ecoscope is supported and assisted by Ducks Unlimited Canada, Environmental Partners Fund, North American Waterfowl Management Plan, North American Conservation Council (Canada), and Wildlife Habitat Canada.
For more information on the Ecoscope programme contact Gordon Harrison at:
The Ecoscope Project
Rural Route #2, Almonte, ON
K0A 1A0
Tel: (613) 256-1487,
Fax: (613) 256-0744.
Ecoscope can be accessed through the Internet via WetNet: The Wetlands Network at www.wetland.ca.