2020 Wetland and Phosphorus Workshop

Capturing phosphorus in agricultural runoff on the farm

January 14, 2020 | SCRCA Stewardship Team

 

On January 14, 2020, the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA) hosted a Wetland and Phosphorus Workshop at the SCRCA administration office in Strathroy. The workshop was attended by 33 participants and featured presentations by the SCRCA, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Rural Lambton Stewardship Network, and the Lambton Shores Phragmites Community Group.

The workshop was coordinated by the SCRCA through financial support from Wildlife Habitat Canada and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Canadian Nature Fund.

 

 

Presentations included:

Why is the Sydenham River So Special?
Jessica Van Zwol, St. Clair Region Conservation Authority

Jessica started off the workshop by discussing the ecological significance of the Sydenham River Watershed and why it is important we take efforts to protect water quality in the region.

 

Wetlands: Capturing Phosphorus from Agricultural Runoff
Rachael Scholten, Ducks Unlimited Canada

Rachael shared preliminary results from a wetland water quality monitoring research project completed at eight on-farm wetland conservation projects in 2019. Rachael also provided information on Ducks Unlimited Canada’s conservation program and how they’re working closely with landowners to undertake wetland projects on their properties.

 

Incorporating Wetlands into the Drainage Act and Retiring Fragile Land with ALUS Lambton
Lindsay Buchanan, Rural Lambton Stewardship Network

Lindsay explained how the ALUS program works and provided information on the recently established program for Lambton County.

 

Invasive Phragmites: A Growing Concern
Nancy Vidler, Lambton Shores Phragmites Community Group

Nancy shared how the Lambton Shores Phragmites Community Group is working with other organizations and private landowners to restore wetland habitat and beaches by controlling the invasive plant, Phragmites australis.