Lynde Shores Conservation Area © Paul Howard CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
The Issue
Wetlands are areas that are seasonally or permanently covered by shallow water.
Wetlands sustain a vast diversity of wildlife, prevent floods, purify water and increase our resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Around the world, wetlands are at the forefront of an ecological crisis and face growing pressures from land conversion and climate change. One quarter of all freshwater animals are now at risk of extinction. Ontario has a key role to play in protecting these precious ecosystems, holding around 24% of wetlands in Canada and 6% of all wetlands on Earth.
However, southern Ontario has lost an estimated 70 percent of its original wetlands. In the Greater Toronto Area, around 90% of the original wetlands are gone. This rate of loss is among the highest recorded on the planet. Many factors cause wetland loss, including land conversion for development, pollution from industrial agriculture and climate change.
Beaver River, Uxbridge © Sean Marshall
Why It Matters
Wetlands are essential for mitigating climate change, storing an astonishing 29 billion tonnes of carbon in Ontario alone. Wetlands also act like giant sponges during heavy rainfall, significantly reducing floods that harm property and livelihoods. Southern Ontario’s wetlands provide habitat for 20% of Ontario’s species at risk including the province’s eight native species of turtle, all of which are at risk.
Connections to all parts of the natural system, including wetlands, is also foundational to Indigenous People’s culture, language, ways of knowing, spirituality and ways of life.
Wetlands continue to be lost at an alarming rate in Ontario, contributing to a loss of wildlife, more carbon emissions and a greater risk of flooding for millions of people.
Kinghurst Forest Nature Reserve © Noah Cole
What We Are Doing
Ontario Nature has a long history of working to protect wetlands and began documenting their decline in 1937. Today, we continue to support solutions to wetland loss which put communities and nature first. We advocate for stronger provincial laws, support grassroots advocacy and raise public awareness of the crucial role of wetlands in our shared future.
While the provincial government has failed to protect wetlands, many municipalities are taking local action. We seek to empower municipal planners, elected officials and grassroots advocates like our Nature Network with the tools to enact local solutions. We are committed to listening to the perspectives of young people and ensuring their voice is heard, including in the Ontario Nature Youth Council.
Wetland at VanTil Farm © Lisa Richardson
What You Can Do
- Email decision-makers.
- Call your MPP.
- Encourage your local planning authority to strengthen local wetland conservation.
- Be alert to proposals that might harm wetlands in your area and let us know.
Lake Simcoe, Holland River and Holland Marsh © Joe Mabel
The Wetlands Campaign is Generously Funded by:
Fitzhenry Family Foundation