Our Great Lakes

Wetlands: a Crucial Component of the Great Lakes Ecosystem

Wetlands historically often drained and appropriated for developmental uses, such as agriculture and marinas are a particularly sensitive aspect of the Great Lakes environment. Home to many species of plant and animal life, they are a valuable part of the ecosystem.

A cooperative program between the Government of Canada, provincial governments and non-governmental organizations, the Great Lakes Wetlands Conservation Action Plan (GLWCAP) has undertaken many tasks in establishing a comprehensive wetlands conservation program for the Great Lakes.

The Plan's principal goal is to create, reclaim, rehabilitate and protect wetland habitat in the lower Great Lakes Basin.

Projects and initiatives included in the plan are:

• The establishment of community-based, volunteer marsh-monitoring stations at project sites in Areas of Concern and other wetlands throughout the basin
• Development of guidelines for wetlands management on government-owned lands
• Compilation of an Ontario Coastal Wetlands Atlas

Enthusiasm: A Valuable Resource!

EcoAction is an Environment Canada funding program, which supports projects that protect, rehabilitate, or enhance the natural environment, and build the capacity of communities to sustain activities into the future. Past EcoAction projects have, through the energy and enthusiasm of their participants, resulted in improved air and water quality and protection of species threatened by pollution.

Past projects include:

• Soft Shell Turtle recovery plan in London, Ontario
• Efforts to reduce the use of toxic lead fishing weights and shot in Cornwall, Ontario
• Education programs to encourage householders to reduce use of harmful cleaning agents in London, Toronto and other centres in Ontario
• The sale of subsidized rain barrels to reduce gardeners' dependence on tap water for irrigation in Toronto
• Cleanup activities in and around Toronto's Don River

The latter program involved at-risk and low-income youth, who took part via Covenant House, a non-profit resource for this population.

Combining Skills and Specialties for Effective Results

Through its actions, Environment Canada is proving that cooperation and teamwork can improve the outlook for the at-risk ecosystems of Canada's magnificent Great Lakes. Federal and local government, the private sector and concerned citizens all have powerful roles to play.

For more information on Environment Canada and its programs, please visit www.ec.gc.ca

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