Expanding Protected Areas in…

Expanding Protected Areas in Ontario – Sites Proposed to be Regulated under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 (ERO - 019-8618)

Support for the addition of lands to Englehart River Fine Sand Plain and Waterway Provincial Park, Alfred Bog Provincial Park, Brockville Long Swamp Fen Provincial Park and Voyageur Provincial Park.

The Ottawa Valley chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS-OV) recognizes the Algonquin and Mohawk People as the guardians and defenders of this land and the watersheds of the Ottawa River and its tributaries and wishes to uphold their stewardship values.

In response to the combined crises of biodiversity loss and climate change that we are facing, the government of Canada has committed to protecting 30% of its lands and freshwater by 2030. Ontario, however, is severely behind, with only 10.9% of its territory protected. This number is even lower in the Ottawa Valley. As such, CPAWS-OV strongly supports the proposed additions to Englehart River Fine Sand Plain and Waterway Provincial Park, Alfred Bog Provincial Park, Brockville Long Swamp Fen Provincial Park and Voyageur Provincial Park.

Englehart River Fine Sand Plain and Waterway Provincial Park

Englehart River Fine Sand Plain and Waterway Provincial Park is a waterway-class park with the dual mandate of conservation and recreation. The park has notable geological features and includes a portion of the Englehart River canoe route. It is used for fishing, hunting, boating, and camping. Furthermore, it boasts a high diversity of cool-water fish.
The proposed addition of 60 hectares would include wetland and forested uplands, which would help strengthen the ecological integrity of the provincial part and, as such, increase the recreational value of the area. Protecting habitats, such as wetlands, along the river will help stabilize water levels, ensure better water quality, and increase the area's overall resilience to the impact of climate change and the surrounding commercial activities.

Recommendation

CPAWS-OV recommends protecting the proposed expansion to Englehart River Fine Sand Plain and Waterway Provincial Park.

Alfred Bog Provincial Park

The Albert Bog Provincial Park is a wetland with high ecological value, rich biodiversity, and a carbon sink. Until its recent protection, habitat fragmentation, incompatible land use, and drainage severely threatened its ecological integrity.

As such, CPAWS-OV is pleased to acknowledge the protection of this park as a natural environment-class park aimed at preserving, in this case, one of the only three remaining raised bogs in southern Ontario while providing compatible recreational and educational opportunities.
Fragmentation of habitats poses risks to the ecological integrity of ecosystems. Therefore, expanding the provincial park by protecting the proposed two parcels would benefit its resilience. However, drainage and peat stripping are severe threats afflicting the park. Water has been pouring out of openings in the peat bank, leaving the land noticeably dryer near the edges. As such, the successional growth of non-bog woody plants has accelerated, and the soils in these new brushy forests are not functional peatland. We believe that beyond adding the new parcels, Alfred Bog Provincial Park needs a science-based management plan that would actively work towards restoring the peatland of the area.

Recommendations

CPAWS-OV recommends protecting the proposed expansion to Alfred Bog Provincial Park and rapidly crafting and implementing a science-based management plan.

Brockville Long Swamp Fen Provincial Park

Brockville Long Swamp Fen Provincial Park is a nature reserve-class park whose main objective is to protect the ecological integrity of this ecosystem. This provincially significant wetland hosts several threatened species and sensitive fen communities. It also has a strong landscape-scale connectivity value, crucial in creating an ecological network for conservation in the Ottawa Valley. Unfortunately, pressures on the park, including land use on adjacent properties, encroachment, fragmentation, and unauthorized access, threatened its ecological integrity.

The proposed expansion by protecting an additional 44 hectares would likely contribute to the wetland's overall ecological integrity. However, as it is separate from the rest of the park, it would likely face the same issues and pressures from outside sources. Therefore, mitigation measures, such as the one indicated in the park's management plan, should be implemented quickly in the new parcel. Furthermore, a plan to connect the addition to the main area should be created, as a continued conserved corridor would be less fragmented and more resilient to other pressures.

Recommendations

CPAWS-OV recommends protecting the proposed expansion to Brockville Long Swamp Fen Provincial Park, implementing short—and mid-term mitigation measures, and acquiring the parcels between the Provincial Park and the proposed addition.

Voyageur Provincial Park

Voyageur Provincial Park is a recreational park that aims to connect people to nature by offering outdoor experiences to visitors. The park, located near large urban centres, is organized to provide recreational opportunities. Conservation objectives are still implemented through natural environment zones; more intensive activities occur in the development zone.
Improving people's accessibility to nature is essential to increasing well-being and better understanding the ecological value of protected areas. It also provides opportunities for educating the public on best practices when enjoying the wilderness. Therefore, adding the proposed expansion to the park would be beneficial to ensure recreation and conservation occur in the best conditions possible.

Recommendation

CPAWS-OV recommends protecting the proposed expansion to Voyageur Provincial Park.
 
About us:

The mission of the Ottawa Valley Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS-OV) is to protect and preserve biodiversity in the Ottawa Valley by promoting and advocating for ecological integrity in the management of public lands, working with other local and regional environmental groups, and collaborating with Indigenous Communities, industries and governments. We represent over 5000 people in Eastern Ontario who care deeply about the province's environment and natural resources and have more than 50 years of experience working to preserve wilderness in the region.

For this text, the Ottawa Valley refers to the area of the Ottawa River Watershed located in Ontario.
Brockville Long Swamp Fen Provincial Park Management Plan (2022). (n.d.). ontario.ca. https://www.ontario.ca/page/brockville-long-swamp-fen-provincial-park-m…