Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) is pleased to announce that it has been approved for $2,177,000 in funding from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) over the next four years through The Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative. This funding aims to address significant environmental challenges affecting Great Lakes water quality and ecosystem health, aligning with Canada’s commitments under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, that includes restoring and protecting critically important coastal areas, including wetlands.
Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority’s Lynde Shores Conservation Area Restoration and Resilience Project was selected for this funding due in part to CLOCA’s thorough background work, partnerships formed, and the Area’s importance for both ecology and the community. Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority utilized data from long-term monitoring programs to plan for enhanced resilience in coastal wetland areas and will now proceed with implementing these plans with this new funding.
“The significant ECCC funding announcement represents a large and exciting step toward achieving the improved ecosystem health and resilience needed at Lynde Shores Conservation Area,” said Dan Moore, CLOCA’s Senior Ecologist, Environmental Monitoring and Ecosystem Science. “CLOCA and ECCC recognize the importance of this area ecologically and socially and are investing in its long-term sustainability.”
The Lynde Shores Restoration and Resilience Project addresses pressing challenges at Lynde Creek and Cranberry Marsh within Lynde Shores Conservation Area, and builds on extensive historical monitoring by CLOCA through the Durham Region Coastal Wetland Monitoring Project. Monitoring has highlighted ecosystem deterioration due to climate stressors, invasive species, pollution and human activities, emphasizing the need for urgent restoration efforts. Despite its existing ecological, recreational, and cultural significance, Lynde Shores Conservation Area requires intervention to ensure its ecological values and services are retained and more resilient to climate pressures.
Comprehensive restoration strategies tailored to Lynde Shores Conservation Area were developed based on current research and conservation practices that aim to enhance marsh ecosystem resilience, restore degraded habitats, and promote long-term sustainability through Nature-Based Solutions.
Emphasis is placed on adaptive management and ongoing monitoring to ensure informed decision-making. The proposed and approved restoration projects for Lynde Shores Conservation Area include (1) Protective Wetland Features Enhancement, (2) Wetland Creation and Enhancement, and (3) Wetland Interspersion Restoration.
Restoration efforts are planned to commence in fall/winter 2024/25.
For more information on the Lynde Shores Restoration and Resilience Project: Dan Moore, Senior Ecologist, Environmental Monitoring and Ecosystem Science Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority