The following is a list of projects that Middlesex Stewardship Council has been involved in from the development phases through to the on-the-ground implementation. These demonstration projects incororate the Middlesex Stewardship Council's goals and objectives.
DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS
- Scouts Canada Camp Sylvan Tallgrass Prairie Restoration Site
- Warm Season Pasture
- Melbourne Property
- Bear and Wye Creek-Increasing Riparian Vegetation
- Other Demonstration Projects throughout Ontario- Land Stewardship Demonstration Areas Catelogue
Scouts Canada Camp Sylvan Tallgrass Prairie Restoration Site-
Scouts working to promote species diversity and native habitat in Middlesex County
Scouts Canada is playing a huge role in what is considered to be the biggest Tallgrass Prairie restoration in the history of Middlesex County. The Scouts Canada Organization has donated 110 acres of retired agricultural field to be restored to native tallgrass prairie, in an attempt to engage the youth and volunteers of Scouts Canada to foster an appreciation for our natural resources and species at risk.
Drawing on knowledge from many resource management agencies and organizations for this project including: Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, Rural Lambton Stewardship Network, Ministry of Natural Resources, Tallgrass Ontario and the Ausable River Recovery Team, the Middlesex Stewardship Council is encouraging a stewardship ethic and multi-partner approach to species at risk protection and recovery.
In 2008, 30 acres of tallgrass prairie was successfully planted and established. Plans for 2009 include planting an additional 21 acres. Upon completion, the site provide a demonstration for landowners and agency people on how tallgrass prairie can be used to implement best management practices for improving water quality and wildlife habitat.
contact:
Cale Selby
Stewardship Coordinator
(519)773-4785
Warm Season Pasture- Complimentary Forage System
Landowners in Middlesex County have planted warm season pastures as a quality forage alternative for livestock
What are Warm Season Pastures?
Warm season pastures are areas comprised of warm season grasses (eg. Little bluestem, Switchgrass, Indian grass, etc.), which are grasses that grow most intensely in warm weather (late spring and summer). These grasses are native to Ontario, and are much more adapted to the climate and soil conditions, in comparison with cool season grasses. During the winter, warm season pastures offer wonderful habitat and food for a diversity of mammals and birds.
Benefits of Planting Warm Season Pastures:
Both warm and cool season grasses are most nutritious while they are vigorously growing
Warm season grasses can provide high quality forage during dry, hot summer months, while cool season grasses produce the highest quality forage during the cooler growing season. Therefore, it is possible for a stockman to provide a herd with highly nutritious forage for the entire grazing season by fully utilizing each species of grass. This can be accomplished by dividing pastures into smaller paddocks to control livestock access to pastures. Rotating pastures allows each pasture to receive a rest period while livestock graze in other pastures. It is during this rest period that grasses are able to strengthen their roots and generate higher yields. By fully utilizing each species of grass during its prime quality season, a stockman can keep his/her herd feeding on highly nutritious forage the entire grazing season.
Click Here for more information on Complimentary Forage Systems.
contact:
Cale Selby
Stewardship Coordinator
(519)773-4785
Melbourne Property-
Wetland Habitat Enhancement
In 2008, a landowner from Melbourne area contacted the Middlesex Stewardship Council, hoping to convert and restore 40.47 ha of agricultural fields. The Council, along with the various community partners, determined best suited plans for the property according to soil type, location, and topography, etc.
The project began in early 2008 and involves the construction of 3.77 ha of wetlands and planting 60 acres of Carolinian tree species. Two shallow excavations were completed in the fall of 2008 that mimicked natural drainage conditions by impounding direct precipitation. 60 acres of trees will be planted beginning in 2009.
Upon completion, this property will provide valuable habitat for waterfowl, amphibians and aquatic vegetation in addition to reducing erosion downstream and increasing water filtration. In addition, the landowner had expressed wishes for this site to provide a "living classroom" for school groups to be educated on wildlife, wetland ecology and sampling methods.
For more information on wetland restoration and project ideas contact:
Angela Van Niekerk
Healthy Headwater Initiative Program Coordinator
Phone: (519)235-2610
Email: avanniekerk@abca.on.ca
or
Cale Selby
Stewardship Coordinator
Phone: (519)773-4785
Email: selby.cale@ontario.ca
Bear and Wye Creek Pilot Projects-
Increasing Riparian Vegetation for Healthy Watersheds
Science suggests that a healthy watershed should have 75% of total stream length buffered with riparian vegetation.
Middlesex Stewardship Council partnered with North Middlesex and Thames Centre Townships, the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, Upper Thames Conservation Authority and The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources to launch two pilot projects to increase the riaparian vegetation cover in both the Lower Ausuble and the North Thames watersheds.
The project partners chose these sub-watersheds as pilot projects to try to increase riparian habitat to 75%, as this is the ideal percentage for a healthy watershed. Existing watershed conditions were mapped in both Bear and Wye Creeks, and it was determined that both watersheds were approximately 30-40% cover. The pilot projects were implemented in these sub-watersheds to monitor whether or not the 75% cover would be attainable.
Participating landowners are provided with funding to cover the costs of establishing a 3-5 metre buffer to increase the length of buffered stream. Possible buffer types include: trees, shrubs, pasture grass mix & tallgrass prairie.
To view a map of Bear Creek prior to the project, Click Here.
To view a map of Wye Creek prior to the project, Click Here.
CLICK HERE to view the Land Stewardship Demonstration Areas Catelogue- a collection of Demonstration Projects from all over Ontario. This is an innovative project lead by the Ontario Stewardship program, to document practices which improve resource and land management. This includes forests, soils, wildlife and water resources.