New conservation projects in Whitby and Clarington – restoring more than 10 hectares of coastal wetland habitat and supporting local biodiversity and climate resilience – have been announced.
There will be three new coastal wetland restoration projects at Lynde Shores Conservation Area in Whitby as well as a project in Bowmanville in Clarington, according to Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (Cloca) and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC).
Thanks to a $1,510,000 investment from the Government of Ontario’s Wetlands Conservation Partner Program, work to advance wetland restoration and strengthen climate resilience along the Lake Ontario watershed is underway.
This funding will directly contribute to 23 acres (9.4 hectares) of wetland creation at Lynde Shores Conservation Area and support the completion of the Westside Creek Wetland Restoration and Resilience Project in the Municipality of Clarington.
Project Completion end of 2026
Scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, the project will restore and enhance wetland habitat on municipally owned lands, delivering ecological benefits for wildlife, water quality and the broader watershed, said the announcement.
“The Lynde Shores Restoration and Resilience Plan is an interconnected project focused on improving the connectivity and long-term health of coastal wetlands while enhancing biodiversity, habitat and marsh ecosystems in our watershed,” says Chris Darling, Cloca CAO.
Municipality of Clarington
Clarington announced it is restoring a wildlife oasis next to the South Bowmanville Recreation Centre.
“This project will create 1.3 hectares of new open-water wetland habitat, rehabilitate 3.9 hectares more, and could allow us to create public trails and lookouts in the future. It will improve habitat for local wildlife, enhance biodiversity and climate resilience, address historic ecological degradation and invite the community in to enjoy this hidden wetland,” says Mayor Adrian Foster.
The investment builds on extensive planning and restoration work already completed, with partners at Durham Region, through funding support from Canada Water Agency’s Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative. As coastal wetlands continue to experience serious threats, this collective work will increase their capacity to adapt and thrive in the face of environmental change.
Vital Role
Great Lakes coastal wetlands play a vital role in supporting the freshwater ecosystem, the economy and local communities. Recognizing both the ecological value of these wetlands and the challenges they face, CLOCA and DUC have undertaken a series of projects designed to enhance wetland habitat, improve hydrologic connectivity, support biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience and provide opportunities for communities to access more “blue space” (being near, on, or in water).
Cloca and DUC are hosting a free community wetland opening event on October 3 from 9:30 am-12:30 pm at Lynde Shores Conservation Area.
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