Community Based Initiatives - Understanding the Environment

Natural Heritage Inventory

Objectives:

Walpole is significant in the context of the entire Midwest of the continent. Of the oak savannah which once covered some 13,000,000 ha of the Midwest, only 113 sites of high quality, totaling 2,600 ha could be located in a 1985 study. The study aimed to document and assess the highly significant life science features of the northern terrestrial portion of Walpole Island.

Description:

The Study was begun in 1985 with the approval and cooperation of Walpole Island Band Council. Original field data was collected for five different groups: vegetation, birds, amphibians and reptiles, mammals, butterflies. The results of the study confirmed that Walpole Island contains the most significant tall grass prairie and oak savannah vegetation remaining in Canada. The study prioritized 30 areas to provide the community with evidence and rationale for future conservation strategies. Of the 3649 ha of terrestrial land on Walpole Island not currently in agriculture, 638 ha were selected to represent the areas most in need of protection.

Outcome:

A feasibility study - the Walpole Island Natural Heritage Protection Program -is presently underway to investigate the possibility of conserving these significant properties, through leasing or other arrangements with their respective landowners. Community awareness of the natural heritage was raised, a Conservation Club formed, and a system of nature trails laid out. However, the project was not judged a complete success since most of the work was done without sufficient appreciation of traditional values. From a traditional point-of-view, all plants (rare or not) have been placed here for a purpose. For example, sweet grass is not endangered but is more important culturally to WIFN than all those on the list.

Support:

Funding and support were provided primarily by the World Wildlife Fund and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, with assistance by University of Waterloo, Lambton Wildlife Incorporated, WIFN's Heritage Centre, Carolinian Canada, Nature Conservancy, Ontario Heritage Foundation and the Environmental Youth Corps.