Tiny Marsh Provincial Wildlife Area
Extensive wetland renovations within seven southern Ontario wetlands, including Simcoe County’s Tiny Marsh Provincial Wildlife Area, will sustain their health and productivity for many years to come. Tiny Marsh is one of two project sites recognized for their importance to migratory birds and identified as Important Bird Areas of international significance.
 

Significant investment helps renew natural habitat in Simcoe County

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June 23, 2010, Barrie, Ont. — As a result of the generous financial support from the Government of Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) has conducted extensive wetland renovations within Simcoe County’s Tiny Marsh Provincial Wildlife Area and Matchedash Bay Provincial Wildlife Area. Through this rebuild program, seven different wetlands received investments totaling more than $600,000 to repair infrastructure that will sustain their health and productivity for many years to come.

Both project sites are recognized for their importance to migratory birds and are identified as Important Bird Areas of international significance, two of approximately 1200 in all of Canada, while Matchedash Bay has also been named a Ramsar wetland of international importance. Tiny Marsh offers invaluable educational interpretive facilities and both projects provide a variety of year-round recreational amenities to school-age children and outdoor enthusiasts.

The investment in these important wetland projects was made possible through a grant from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). FedDev’s commitment of up to $3 million for wetland renewal was matched against DUC’s $1.3 million in funds secured through the North American Waterfowl Management Plan’s Eastern Habitat Joint Venture (EHJV), resulting in a $4.3 million investment to rebuild 57 wetlands throughout Southern Ontario.

“Protection of coastal marshes along the lower Great Lakes and waterfowl migration corridors is one of DUC’s top conservation priorities in Southern Ontario,” said Jim Brennan, DUC’s Ontario Manager of Provincial Operations. “In spite of significant wetland loss across the southern portion of the province, Simcoe County still sees good numbers of waterfowl during the spring and fall migrations largely because of the presence of large-scale marshes like those at Tiny and Matchedash.”

For many years, DUC has worked in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and the MTM Conservation Association (Marl Lake, Tiny Marsh and Matchedash Bay) to help maintain the productivity of these wetlands and their importance to staging, breeding and migrating waterfowl and other wildlife. From both technical and funding resources, to hands on involvement such as replacing deteriorated dams with new engineered earthen berms and water-control structures, and implementing wetland management plans, DUC has continued to support and promote its conservation program delivery on properties such as these.

DUC wetland projects are designed to have a productive life of 25-30 years and like many other projects selected for this wetland rebuild program, these two projects were approaching the end of their normal operational lifespan. The original dyking systems, degraded by settlement, erosion and burrowing animals have been repaired and water control structures reaching the end of their designed life-span have been rebuilt or where necessary, replaced. Additionally, maintenance on spillways, clearing of vegetation, the installation of beaver fences and safety upgrades have all been implemented through this wetland rebuild program, to ensure the continued health and productivity of these important projects.

“Congratulations DUC on the major restoration projects completed at Tiny Marsh and Matchedash Bay Provincial Wildlife Areas. Under adverse weather conditions, you were able to stabilize the west side of the Trotter Dyke that will protect the structure for years to come from the strong winds blowing into Tiny off Nottawasaga Bay, while the two new transfer structures in the dyke will allow for the best water management and aquatic vegetation possible at Tiny. The two beaver pond projects at Matchedash Bay will enhance the wildlife resources in that vicinity and ensure longevity and ease of water management in the ponds...well done!” A.W. Smith, Director, MTM Conservation Association

In addition to providing habitat for waterfowl and other wetland dependent wildlife, wetlands provide essential functions such as water purification, ground water recharge, erosion control and flood reduction as well as recreational and economic opportunities.

For more information, contact:

Joanne Barbazza, j_barbazza@ducks.ca
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Phone: 705-721-4444

 
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