About 14 acres at the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary are under restoration, creating a habitat for wildlife, including species at risk.
The Essex Region Conservation Authority is overseeing the project with funding from Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
"This habitat restoration project has many ecological benefits," said Kate Arthur, a restoration biologist with Essex Region Conservation. "Increasing biodiversity and natural areas, as well as expanding on and creating a connection with existing Carolinian forest habitat at the site."
Some of the species that benefit from the project include Short-eared Owls, Barn Swallows, Bobolinks, Eastern Meadowlark, Blanding's Snapping Turtle, and the Monarch butterfly.
The project should also improve water quality by capturing surface water flow from adjacent farmlands and filtering it with native wetland plants, like the endangered Scarlet Ammannia.
"The restoration of this wetland further enhances a critically important rest stop for migratory birds, waterfowl, and other wildlife while providing essential services like water filtration, flood mitigation, carbon sequestration, and recreational opportunities for visitors," said conservation program specialist at Ducks Unlimited Canada Linda Warren. "Ontario's wetlands are among the province's most ecologically valuable and productive habitats."
The project sets aside one acre for wetland, another 1.5 acres for a native prairie grass/wet meadow buffer, and 11.5 acres for afforestation with 8,400 native trees and shrubs.
The Kingsville sanctuary is home to migrating geese and ducks. Through the spring and fall, the grounds fill with birds passing through on their migratory routes to get food, water, and shelter.