Celebrating a decade of restoration at Big Creek National Wildlife Area

As you make the final turn toward Big Creek National Wildlife Area (NWA) along Long Point Road, the neighbourhood suddenly fades away and a panorama of marshes appears. Almost immediately, a sedge of sandhill cranes comes into view outside your window. Tundra swans pass along the eastern shoreline, and it’s clear you’ve entered a wildlife refuge. Each year, tens of thousands of migratory birds, from American wigeon to Canada geese, flock to Big Creek and year-round, a rich diversity of life calls it a permanent home. Located in Long Point, this vast network of undisturbed marshes is one of Ontario’s most ecologically significant coastal wetlands. 

In 1977, Big Creek was formally established under the Canada Wildlife Act to protect wetlands essential as staging, stopover and breeding habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds. In 1983, Environment and Climate Change Canada entered into a formal long-term agreement with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) to permit DUC to undertake restoration at Big Creek, and we’ve been part of its story ever since. 

This year, we hit a major milestone: the completion of 10 years of restoration work at Big Creek. The marsh complex is an example of a ring-dike system, meaning it relies on infrastructure to exist. This type of coastal marsh is unique because its habitat can be carefully managed to provide ideal conditions for waterfowl and wildlife, including many species at risk. As the marsh managers, our team observes the ecosystem, identifies when intervention is needed and implements restoration. Our engineers handle the maintenance, while the conservation specialists ensure all work supports biodiversity. As nature often reminds us, good things take time. Over 10 years, we rebuilt multiple dike systems within the complex, designed new water-control structures and performed extensive maintenance. 

Without restoration, the infrastructure that supports an ecosystem like Big Creek would eventually fail—especially as we face unpredictable changes to the climate. Water levels would fluctuate dramatically, leading to dense cattail growth and a loss of habitat. Not on our watch. Today, Big Creek National Wildlife Area is stronger than ever. The restoration has secured the long-term ecological value of the coastal marsh and enhanced its resilience against threats of climate change. We’re grateful to be part of Big Creek’s ongoing story and know that with continued collaboration, this remarkable marsh will remain a wildlife sanctuary for decades to come. 

Did you know? Big Creek edition: 

• One of the most intact Great Lakes coastal wetlands 

• Over 200 bird species recorded, with 80+ breeding species 

• Up to 100,000 waterfowl visit the marsh during peak fall migration 

• Supports a monarch butterfly migration in August 

• Home to endangered species like king rail and prothonotary warbler and threatened species like least bittern and Fowler’s toad.