Our Mission Statement:
To spark a commitment to conserving wetlands, woodlands and wildlife by creating exciting learning opportunities in a natural setting.
Projects
Stewardship
Land stewardship means that landowners, organizations and individual citizens, including volunteers, care for the land, air and water, upholding a level of respect for the environment and its vital ecological systems. Land stewardship is a collaborative effort by interested and active members of a community, which fosters action that promotes protection, conservation and wise use of our natural resources.
Eastern Hognose Sightings at the Marsh
On August 20, 2004, a single adult Eastern Hognose Snake was sighted on the roadway leading into the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre. While the upland forest and open fields surrounding the Wye Marsh provide ideal habitat for this species, the last Hognose Snake sighting that occurred in the Wye Valley was in 1976; which makes this sighting even more interesting!
Least Bittern Research at the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre
The Least Bittern [Ixobrychus exilis] is a Nationally Threatened and Provincially Vulnerable bird, with an estimated population of less than 1000 nesting pairs in Canada.
A new and experimental standardized Ontario Least Bittern survey method from Canadian Wildlife Services was tested in 2004 at the Wye Marsh for the first time. The method included broadcasting a recorded call of a male Least Bittern and playing it at survey stations in order to obtain a response, which would establish the presence of Least Bittern nesting territories. Two nests, plus several responses and sightings of Least Bittern were observed, confirming Least Bittern presence in the Wye Marsh.
Valley Watch
The Wye Marsh Stewardship Department has created Valley Watch: a volunteer network of concerned citizens to perform regular patrols of the Wye Valley.
Marsh Restoration
We are currently researching ways and seeking potential funding sources to help us solve the problem of The Incredible Shrinking Marsh.
Turtle Research at the Wye Marsh Wildlife Area
The Wye Marsh Stewardship Department began research on the turtles in the Wye Valley in mid May 2004. This research was conducted to determine the population status of Blandings Turtles and other turtles within the Wye Marsh.