Wildlife Discover the New Wetland at Lennox Generating Station

Barrie, Ont.—Outdoor trail cameras near the new wetland habitat on the grounds of the Lennox Generating Station have been busy capturing birds, a coyote and other wildlife—including a great blue heron with a knack for handsome “selfies” by the water.

The small wetland (0.7 acres or 0.3 hectares) is located near Napanee north of Lake Ontario, a priority region for wildlife conservation. It is adjacent to newly planted trees and nearly six acres (2.4 hectares) of new grassland habitat.

The design of the wetland harnesses natural processes and vegetation to create robust habitat that will shelter wildlife and withstand harsh environmental conditions. Birds and other wildlife are attracted by the varying water depths and adjacent mounded terrain that provides shelter. Other features help keep the habitat resilient, such as a silt trap to stop sediment in surface runoff from entering the wetland and a spillway overflow for high water.

Habitat restoration brings immediate ecological benefits

The project was led by Michael Williams, Ontario head of consulting for Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) that provides science-based restoration to offset loss of wetland, aquatic and upland habitats, and involved teamwork with TC Energy, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority.

OPG, the owner and operator of the Lennox Generating Station, is collaborating with TC Energy to expand its existing wetland habitat. The wetland and native tree plantings were financed by TC Energy and OPG funded additional grassland habitat at the site.

Healthy landscapes with wetlands and forests support waterfowl and other birds. But these habitats do even more work on the landscape, supporting clean water, reducing the impacts of flooding and helping to sequester carbon. Investment in wetlands as part of Ontario’s natural infrastructure is an investment in the future.

IMAGES

• Download above image of great blue heron
• Download image of wetland
• Select images below to download:

Great blue heron

Great blue heron & geese

Great blue heron & kingfisher

Great blue heron at night

Geese flock

Great blue heron

Great blue heron landing

QUOTES

“An exciting aspect of habitat restoration is that the ecological benefits are immediately apparent. As we can see with the outdoor cameras at the new wetland, the first return on investment comes in the form of beautiful wildlife.” Michael Williams, Ducks Unlimited Canada’s head of Conservation Solutions in Ontario

“Each step TC Energy takes for increasingly sustainable energy production is a beneficial one. The new wetland habitat is already providing food and shelter for wildlife, while contributing positively to clean water and flood mitigation for the larger landscape in Lennox and Addington County.” Nicole Gergely, environmental planner for TC Energy

“The Lennox Generating Station has been a reliable part of Ontario’s electricity system since 1976. The addition of natural green space brings a positive opportunity for environmental stewardship, and we look forward to many more herons appearing at our habitat oasis on a migration path for waterfowl and other birds.” Mike Farrell, site environmental advisor for OPG

ABOUT DUCKS UNLIMITED CANADA’S CONSULTING BRANCH

Ducks Unlimited Canada is a national leader in habitat restoration and management. Ducks Unlimited Canada’s consulting branch provides habitat restoration solutions to offset loss of wetland, aquatic and upland habitats, operating on a cost-recovery basis with net revenues directed to our conservation programs.