The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority has received 190-thousand dollars over the next two years from Environment Canada's National Wetland Conservation Fund.
Stewardship Technician Rachael Scholten explains the funding will support their Healthy Headwaters Wetlands initiative which involves working with rural and non-rural landowners to restore or enhance wetland areas.
Scholten adds wetlands provide many benefits including habitat for a wide range of species, they're important ground water re-charge area and they can also help to reduce down-stream flooding and the impacts of erosion.
Scholten says the funding is often used to leverage other funding so that in some cases the landowners doesn't have to pay anything and if they're retiring land that's considered an in-kind contribution.
Anyone interested in restoring a wetland area can contact the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority.
Scholten adds a lot of the land they work with is too wet for farming and so the farmer has the option of tiling it or looking at other alternatives and that's where the wetlands come in.
