The province recently ordered a halt to wetland mapping in three watersheds in Eastern Ontario.

Wetlands are some of the most biodiverse, productive and valuable systems on Earth; yet unfortunately they have also become some of the most threatened. Southern Ontario has lost about 70% of its wetlands.

Wetlands provide key services; they absorb carbon, reduce flooding, control erosion, filter water and provide wildlife habitat. In southern Ontario, these wetland services are valued at a minimum of $14 billion in economic benefits each year, every year!

“Lanark County is home to some of the largest remaining wetlands in the whole of Southern Ontario. Many of these wetlands are not mapped, yet mapping is an essential first step to protecting these critical ecosystems and protecting us against the ravages of the climate crisis,” said Gord Harrison, Co-ordinator of Nature-Based Climate Solutions for Climate Network Lanark.

Climate Network Lanark (CNL) is a community organization, bringing people together to implement practical solutions to climate change like promoting the use of renewable energy; using natural systems to absorb carbon emissions; and improving building energy efficiency.

CNL has been working with many local partners including Lanark County to protect precious wetlands. One of CNL’s successes was to bring a national program to Lanark County that pays farmers to undertake environmental projects; as part of this program, local farmers have already implemented a number of wetland protection and restoration projects on their lands.

CNL is very disappointed with this latest development. On Friday, a spokesperson from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests ordered the Rideau Valley, South Nation and Raisin River conservation authorities to stop all mapping work. Lanark County—CNL’s home—is covered by the Rideau Valley and Mississippi Valley conservation authorities.

There are 36 conservation authorities in Ontario. All the other conservation authorities except the three in eastern Ontario already regulate wetlands.

“This latest decision flies in the face of the province’s stated goal of ensuring all wetlands under the jurisdiction of conservation authorities are regulated the same across the province,” said Harrison. “So, somehow, we—the residents who live in these three areas—are second class citizens who don’t deserve the same protection of our wetlands that mitigate floods and droughts, absorb carbon, filter drinking water and protect biodiversity,” he added.

Mr. Harrison issued a call for action:

“It’s important to let your MPP know that protecting wetlands is critical for the planet’s and our well-being. This decision needs to be reversed.”

For more information, please contact:

Gord Harrison

Coordinator of Nature-Based Climate Solutions, Climate Network Lanark

(613) 256-1487 

gordonkh@storm.ca