News ReleaseNEWS RELEASE
May 29July 16th, 2008. DenfielSt. Catharines, Ontario.d
Middlesex Residents Lead in Nature ConservationDedicated Landowners Conserve Natural Beauty in Niagara
The Carolinian Canada Coalition, along with Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority, the Middlesex Stewardship Council, the St. Clair County Conservation Authority, Kettle Creek Conservation Authority, Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority and others are launching the Middlesex Caring for Nature Landowner Stewardship FactsheeFarmers and landowners in Niagara are working hard to conserve and restore the Natural Heritage that makes the Region specialt.. Now, a new project focusing on private stewardship, is promoting these activities, and inspiring others to become involved stewards as well. The Caring for Nature in Niagara factsheet, a Carolinian Canada Coalition publication, is a colourful and informative guide for rural, urban and suburban landowners and communities looking for ways to help improve and maintain healthy natural areas in Niagara. This factsheet brings together stories about habitat restoration undertaken by private landowners, and the stewardship organizations that make it possible. It also provides an overview of the wealth of natural beauty that exists in Niagara thanks to the efforts of many dedicated individuals and groups. Carolinian Canada received invaluable support from many of these groups in the region including Land Care Niagara, the Niagara Peninsula Field Naturalists, the Niagara Parks Commission and Ontario Power Generation.
“Caring for Nature in Middlesex” is a colourful and informative guide for rural, urban and suburban landowners and communities. The publication features local landowners and citizens who are leaders in conserving the valuable and unique natural heritage of Middlesex County. Middlesex farmers, planners, conservationists and other individuals alike are working to keep the landscape healthy and sustainable as urban centres sprawl across the County. The factsheet is the seventh in a series published by the Carolinian Canada Coalition in counties across southwestern Ontario.
The official factsheet launch will take place at Henry of Pelham Family Estate Vineyard near St. Catharines at 11am on July 16th, 2008. The Winery has done a great deal to clean up the water running into Richardson’s Creek from their holding ponds. This includes the installation of biofilters and a buffer of native plants with help from the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, the Environmental Farm Plan, and Sustainable Winemaking Ontario.
Carolinian Canada is a coalition of public and community groups aimed at conserving the wildlife and habitats of Canada’s Carolinian life zone — a unique ecological region that stretches from the US Carolinas up to its northern limit in Southwestern Ontario. Home to Tulip Trees, Hooded Warblers, Southern Flying Squirrels and other wildlife not found anywhere else in Canada, the Carolinian life zone is one of the most biologically diverse regions in the country, and contains some of the highest numbers of rare and endangered species. The Coalition Board includes representatives from conservation, stewardship, education, farming, forestry and planning groups.
Recently, tThere has been lots of ‘buzz’ about protected Species at Risk and this factsheet helps tois good a source information forbring clarity to the issue for the interested citizen about the issue. This factsheetCaring for Nature in Niagarashows that Middlesex landowners are proud stewards of habitat for species at riskemphasizes the pride Niagara landowners feel in seeing the fruits of their conservation efforts, with the continuing presence of many rare species. aSnd several groups have projects in place to protect the remaining populations of these species in Canada, and farmers and landowners alike are often eager participants in restoration efforts. For example, Middlesex landowners along the Sydenham River are helping the Mudpuppy Mussel by reducing pesticide use and planting stream buffers.One example is the last known Canadian population of White Wood Aster, a beautiful, rare flower, still found in Niagara. A group of interested individuals are devoting time to monitor and aid in recovery efforts.
“It all comes down to managing habitat wisely. Many best practices for safe drinking water, clean air, outdoor recreation, sustainable timber harvesting, and agriculture will also benefit wildlife," notes Michelle Kanter, Executive Director of the Coalition. According to the science that underpins this factsheet, natural areas provide many benefits for people and wildlife alike. The factsheet also explains the crucial importance of a network of large and small natural areas to the health of the overall landscape.
“The publication of this factsheet is only one step in a Big Picture Outreach project,” adds Nikki May, project coordinator for the Coalition. “The factsheet will be most useful for landowners who are interested in contributing to restoration, but don’t know where to start.” The factsheet brings together many different sources of information, acting as both an inspiration and a time-saving resource for interested landowners.
A new Caring for Nature workshop series is being planned by the Coalition to provide landowners with a hands-on follow-up to the factsheets. Interested residents can contact the Coalition at 519-433-7077 or to be notified of upcoming events or order the factsheet. It is also posted on-line at along with a variety of other publications about the unique nature of southwestern Ontario including significant areas, habitats, wildlife, plants and species at risk.
One of the feature stories is about Gunn Farm, where business students from the University of Western Ontario worked with local landowners and Upper Thames River Conservation Authority to build fish habitat and reduce erosion on Medway Creek. Another story of landowner stewardship effort is that of Dave Siddall. With assistance from the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority, he converted a 10 acre floodplain pasture into natural habitat, and fenced his cattle from the Sydenham River.
Stories of London citizen involvement include one about the Friends of the Coves who are private landowners along the Coves in London doing habitat restoration on their property. Then there are the McIwraith Field Naturalists who have been monitoring breeding Peregrines in downtown London, and who manage Cedarcroft, a 27 acre nature reserve on the Thames River.
Carolinian Canada is a coalition of public and community groups aimed at conserving the wildlife and habitats of Canada’s Carolinian Life Zone — a unique ecological region that is home to Tulip Trees, Hooded Warblers, Southern Flying Squirrels and other wildlife not found anywhere else in Canada. The Carolinian Life Zone is one of the most biologically diverse regions in the country, and contains some of the highest numbers of rare and endangered species. The Coalition Board includes representatives from conservation, stewardship, education, farming, forestry and planning groups.
The MiddlesexThe Niagara County project is part of a Carolinian Canada-wide program. Generous funding for this project has comecame from Environment Canada's EcoAction Community Funding Program, TD Canada Trust Friends of the Environment Foundation Niagara Chapter, the Ontario Trillium foundation, and the Ontario Species at Risk Stewardship Fundand Ontario Power Generation.
The official launch will take place at Bill and Sylvia Thirwall’s farm near Denfield at 11am on May 29th, 2008. The Thirwalls have been leaders in the Nairn Creek area, where they planted buffers along the creek and inspired their neighbours to do the same. Thanks to their efforts, Brown Trout enjoy cleaner, cooler habitat and the residents know their natural environment is healthier.
For more information contact:
Nikki May, Project Coordinator
519-542-8612,
Michelle Kanter, Executive Director, Carolinian Canada
(519) 433-7077
Visit our website at to find out more about the unique nature of Carolinian Canada including significant areas, habitats, wildlife, plants and species at risk. There are also many interesting and informative resources published by the Coalition that are available free or for purchase at