The Frontenac Arch Biosphere…

The Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network is a not-for-profit organization working to promote sustainable livelihoods and strengthen the conservation of biodiversity in Eastern Ontario. Effective conservation is vitally important because biodiverse ecosystems attract tourism, an industry that provides the basis for commerce and jobs in this region. However, this biodiversity is increasingly threatened by habitat loss, especially the wetland habitats of species at risk.

We are following expert guidance developed by Canada's Pathway to Target 1 initiative (see link) to assess the effectiveness of conservation measures in our region. Through this process, we have identified that the Provincially Significant Wetland designation provided by the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System (OWES) is crucial to the protection of wetland habitats on which our biodiversity depends.

The proposed removal of criteria for the “Provincially Significant Wetland” designation such as:
• hydrologically connected wetlands or “wetland complexes” and
• species at risk
would severely undermine the effective conservation of these vitally important habitats.

Municipalities in our region use the Provincially Significant Wetland designation as the basis of their natural heritage frameworks to inform planning decisions. Our assessments have determined that the official plans and zoning by-laws of municipalities provide a very important layer of protection for ecosystems, especially when they are reinforced and supported by policies and legislation from other levels of government. If wetlands in our region lose the Provincially Significant designation and new wetlands are not added to it, our municipalities will lack the required information and policy mechanisms to effectively conserve these important habitats and water sources.