Wetland conservation
Learn more about wetlands, their conservation and the provincial programs that help protect and restore them.
Types of wetlands
Wetlands are areas that have been soaked with water long enough for the soil to become waterlogged. This allows water-loving or water-tolerant plants like black ash, tamarack, and bog cranberry to grow.
Wetlands are found where the water table is close to, or at the surface. They are usually in low-lying areas or along the edges of lakes and rivers.
Many wetlands are permanently flooded, while others flood only periodically in the spring or fall.
There are 4 types of wetlands in Ontario:
- swamps, which are dominated by trees or shrubs.
- marshes, which usually have open areas of water with floating plants, like water-lilies and emergent plants (standing above the water) like cattails.
- bogs are peat-covered areas low in nutrient and strongly acidic.
- fens are also often found on peat, but are less acidic and richer in nutrients than bogs.
Wetlands benefits include:
- preventing flood damage
- improving water quality
- giving wildlife a home
- providing valuable economic products like timber and furbearers, as well as recreational opportunities like hunting, fishing, and nature appreciation
Our province has around 35,000,000 hectares or more of wetlands but even though there are still many in northern Ontario, they are disappearing in southern Ontario.
Learn more: the state of wetlands and biodiversity
Protecting wetlands
Ontario’s Wetland Conservation Strategy for Ontario 2017-2030:
- identifies the provincial vision, goals and outcomes for wetlands
- sets out a series of actions that we will undertake until 2030 to improve wetland conservation
This strategy builds on current efforts to make sure that wetlands remain a lasting part of Ontario’s landscape.
Read the Wetland Conservation Strategy for Ontario 2017-2030.
We have laws, regulations and policies that guide land use. Many of these help protect wetlands.
The Provincial Policy Statement (authorized under The Planning Act) protects certain wetlands from development and other changes.
Read: Provincial Policy Statement
These provincial land use plans provide additional guidance:
- Niagara Escarpment Plan
- Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan
- Greenbelt Plan
- Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe
Regulations under the Conservation Authorities Act prohibit certain activities within wetlands.
Wetlands are ranked to determine whether they should receive special protection as “provincially significant”. Significance is determined by the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System.
To find out if a wetland is significant, visit Make a Map or contact your local Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry office.
Learn more: Ontario Wetland Evaluation System
Wetland grants and incentives
Ontario works with partners to conserve wetlands. Programs include:
Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program
If you're a property owner, you may qualify for a 100% property tax exemption for land with important natural heritage features (such as provincially significant wetlands).
Apply: Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program
Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program
If you're a property owner, you may qualify for tax relief if you agree to prepare and follow a Managed Forest Plan for your property.
Apply: Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program
Environmental Farm Program
If you're a farmer, you can apply to cost share programs to use practices that help conserve wetlands on your property.
Apply: Environmental Farm Program
Land Stewardship and Habitat Restoration Program
Organizations can get up to $20,000 in matching funds for projects that maintain or restore habitats that benefit fish, animals and/or plants (including wetlands).
Apply: Land Stewardship and Habitat Restoration Program
Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund
Organizations may be eligible to apply for grants that benefit wetlands within the Great Lakes basin
Apply: Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund
Species at Risk Stewardship Fund
Grants may be available for wetland conservation work that benefits species at risk.