Controlling invasive species is a top priority for the Long Point Basin Land Trust. With frequent monitoring on our current and newly acquired properties, the Land Trust is actively controlling the spread of species that are harmful to our native ecosystem.
Clear Creek and its tributaries is a vital cold-water system that provide habitat for trout and numerous other fish, reptile and amphibian species and runs through two of the Land Trust’s most recent acquisitions: Alton Family Nature Reserve (AFNR) and DeCloet Family Forest Legacy (DFFL).
One of the reasons the Land Trust is so excited about acquiring AFNR and DFFL is because they connect to neighboring protected lands. Jackson-Gunn Old Growth Forest, a property that has been protected by the Land Trust since 2004, is located directly south of the Alton Family Nature Reserve. Similarly, the Land Trust’s acquisition of DFFL increases the amount of protected area south of Cultus by way of extending the connected and protected Paul DeCloet Forest, donated to Norfolk County by Paul DeCloet.
These properties are essential habitat to protect and restore. Besides the cold-water streams, they both feature Provincially Significant Wetlands and forests nestled between agricultural fields. The agricultural fields will be seeded with grasses, wildflowers, trees and shrubs, creating instant habitat for native insects and birds. As part of restoration, it is critical that invasive species are controlled around field edges prior to planting native seeds. Without this step the invasives will seed into the fields and continue to outcompete native seedlings.
Since European settlement, invasive species have been present in many parts of Ontario. At times it is hard to distinguish which ones are good or bad. Some of them come from the same Genus as our native species making identification difficult. Invasive species can be herbaceous plants, shrubs, trees, animals and insects. Our control methods mainly focus on herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees and include pulling, cutting and applying herbicide where necessary. To achieve landscape-scale impacts, we work with many conservation partners.
Over the past year, the Land Trust, in partnership with GRS Restoration Services and the Nature Conservancy of Canada have treated approximately 100 hectares of invasive plants, trees and shrub species. A few species of particular concern are multi-flora rose, European buckthorn and non-native honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.).
Long Point Basin Land Trust’s recent property acquisitions advance our strategy of creating larger interconnected habitats by linking existing neighbouring conservation lands. These important collective partnership efforts continue to support diverse species and the vibrant ecosystems that make up our beloved Carolinian region, fostering healthier and more resilient landscapes.
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About header image: Dog-strangling vine (DSV), also known as European swallow-wort, is found in parts of Ontario, southern Quebec, and several American states. This plant grows aggressively by wrapping itself around trees and other plants, and can grow up to 2 m high. Learn more at, https://www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/invasive-species/meet-the-species/invasive-plants/dog-strangling-vine/
