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Ecowrappin'
Protecting the Carolinian Zone Locally
Tuesday, November 5, 2002
Did you know that Chatham-Kent is in the Carolinian Zone of Canada? Carolinian Canada is the southernmost region of the country and is home to the greatest bio-diversity and more rare and endangered species of plants and animals than in any other part of Canada. This rare and wonderful ecosystem needs our protection.Contrary to its wealth of natural flora and fauna, the Carolinian zone also houses some of the most productive agricultural lands, a wealth of industry and a population that numbers in the millions. Habitat loss is incredibly high – more than 90% in most counties. Essex and Chatham-Kent have less than 5% of their natural cover left and a recent survey put Chatham-Kent's forest cover at 2.9%, the lowest in the region. What all this is telling us is that preservation, conservation, and restoration are very important strategies that are necessary to protect the remaining rare plants and animals of Carolinian Canada.
The moderating effect of the Great Lakes combined with the southern latitude offer a climate that is suitable to many species typically found in the U.S. Carolinas and Virginias. The Carolinian species list includes rarities such as Cucumber Magnolia, Sassafras, Kentucky Coffee Tree, Swamp Rose Mallow, Green Dragon, Acadian Flycatcher, Prothonotary Warbler, Carolina Wren, Badger, Southern Flying Squirrel, Fox Snake and Spiney Softshell Turtle, to name only a few.
So what's being done and how can we all help?
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) recognizes the significance of the Carolinian zone and has made it a mandate to protect Ecologically Significant lands in Carolinian Canada. In accordance with this mandate, two nature reserves have been created locally in the last two years. They are Clear Creek Forest and Bickford Oak Woods, both ecological gems and both now protected from logging and future development.
Clear Creek Forest is in the southeast corner of Chatham-Kent near Lake Erie. It features Old Growth Forest which includes some very large trees in the 4' to 5' diameter range. There are Tulip, Sassafras and Flowering Dogwood trees as well as many other rare species on this 600 acre site.
Bickford Oak Woods is in west central Lambton along Hwy 40 and is a very large tract of nearly 800 acres. As the name suggests, there are many different varieties of Oaks in Bickford including Pin Oak, White Oak, Red Oak, Bur Oak, Swamp White Oak, and possibly Chinquipin Oak as well as Shumard Oak. Two endangered bird species, Prothonotary Warbler and Acadian Flycatcher have been seen in Bickford Oak Woods this year and a very significant wetland value adds to the diversity of the plants and animals to be found.
Neither of these projects would have been possible without the support of many volunteers. Individuals, groups and organizations donated time and money to ensure the success of the campaigns. Projects such as seed collecting, tree planting and trail work are ongoing and also rely on volunteer help. Anyone can be a volunteer.
If you would like additional information, please visit the NCC website at http://www.natureconservancy.ca or call 1-877-343-3532.
Yours in Nature
Larry Cornelis
