AJAX — The Ontario government is investing $650,000 in a project led by the Town of Ajax to restore approximately seven acres (three hectares) of wetlands in the Carruthers Creek watershed through the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program. This project is one of approximately 200 wetlands projects across Ontario that are collectively receiving $11 million from the program this year.
“Urban wetlands are incredibly important to our communities — they help provide vital habitat for local wildlife, while absorbing stormwater to protect homes from flooding,” said Andrea Khanjin, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “We are proud to support this unique project led by the Town of Ajax to restore wetlands in the Carruthers Creek watershed which will have a lasting, positive impact on the local environment and the community.”
As part of this project, the Town of Ajax and conservation partner Toronto and Region Conservation Authority will remove unnecessary drainage pipes left over from past agricultural use to help restore the land to a more natural state. With additional support from Ducks Unlimited Canada, this work will also include creating wetland “pockets” that will hold water on the landscape, as well as planting native trees, shrubs and aquatic plants which will help mitigate urban stormwater impacts, prevent flooding and provide increased habitat for fish and wildlife in the area. The enhanced wetland habitat will also act as a natural water filter to improve water quality.
The Wetlands Conservation Partner Program is one of the largest investments in wetland enhancement and restoration in the province’s history. Over the past five years, Ontario has invested over $31 million to support a wide range of projects, restoring and enhancing large-scale wetlands, smaller wetlands on marginal agricultural lands, and wetlands in more urban areas as part of municipal stormwater management.