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Partnering with children to Bring Back the Wild.

Life on Earth is in a state of unprecedented mass extinction and anthropogenic change due to habitat degradation, climate change, and invasive plant species outcompeting native plants (Sala et al. 2000, Caro and Sherman 2011).

In Canada 579 wildlife species are at risk of extinction and another 23 species have been extirpated from Canada (COSEWIC October 2010 Report).  Approximately 30% of these at-risk animals are dependent on wetland habitat and yet 70% of Canadian wetlands have been denuded or lost forever.

Provincially, Ontario has experienced rapid biodiversity loss, with approximately 100 at-risk species.  In southern Ontario prairie habitat is among the most endangered habitat types because of invasive plants, land conversion to agriculture, and fire suppression.  Current research suggests some invasive plant species may actually release greenhouse gases into the lower atmosphere, placing them at a competitive advantage over native plants that cannot grow as well under these conditions (Booker et al. 2009).  Less than 3% of prairie habitat remains in Ontario, restricted to small isolated fragments (http://www.tallgrassontario.org/TS_SAR.htm).

Loss of biodiversity is unequivocally a vitally important environmental issue that must be understood and addressed if we are to reverse current trends.

Project iRestore

Project iRestore is an engaging restoration ecology project involving invasive plant removal and restoration of biodiversity in three old fields (30 acres total) surrounding Earth Rangers in the Kortright Conservation Area.

The project has four main goals and objectives:

1. To restore three native threatened habitat types (tallgrass prairie, deciduous forest, wetlands) and steward plant and animal biodiversity in the restored area
2. To use habitat restoration as a long-term experiential education program anchored around at-risk animals, how invasive organisms impact biodiversity, and relationships between abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) environmental factors
3. To offer a habitat restoration model that can be replicated by corporations and homeowners wishing to reduce their carbon footprint and/or “green” their property
4. To improve science literacy and engage young people in Canada about careers in science, engineering, and mathematics.

iRestore uniquely integrates biodiversity, environmental education, and action.

• The first phase of the project involves developing a Conservation Action Plan to describe the restoration process and identify project partners.  This phase has been completed.
• In phase two, baseline plant and animal biodiversity data will be collected and the site will be prepared for restoration.  This phase is underway.
• Third, the three fields will be restored to native tallgrass prairie.  Some native Ontario prairie indicator species we will plant are big bluestem, coneflowers, cup plant, and butterfly milkweed.

Monitoring biodiversity before, during, and post-restoration will allow us to quantify project success.  Two restored fields will be stewarded to succeed naturally to deciduous forest; one field will be maintained as tallgrass prairie.  Children and corporate employees will take action in this biodiversity conservation project through hands-on corporate and citizen science volunteer days.

Our project incorporates elements of the highly successful Karori Wildlife Sanctuary restoration project in New Zealand, such as long-term biodiversity monitoring to evaluate scientifically how animals and plants respond to the restoration.