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Big Picture Guidelines for Planting in Carolinian Canada

Planting projects in the Carolinian Canada region are an important part of restoring healthy landscapes and natural heritage systems in southwestern Ontario.  Projects can be interesting, educational, beneficial to increasing quality of life and personally satisfying for those involved.

Luckily, there are many conservation groups involved in working with landowners in Carolinian Canada to restore habitat on public and private lands.  However, it can be confusing to know what to plant when, where and why.  There are many native species that may be appropriate in your area but each site requires careful consideration and recommended lists of species vary from watershed to watershed.

These Big Picture guiding principles apply to any location in southwestern Ontario. Along with your knowledge of your area, they should be able to help you develop a useful planting plan and maximize the success of your plantings.  These guidelines are best used in combination with assistance from a conservation partner and local biological inventories.

1. Use Native Species – Using 100% native species is a minimal requirement that should be adhered to in all planting projects near natural areas.  The use of non-native species opens up a whole range of potential adverse impacts on ecological and landscape health.  The Society for Ecological Restoration provides detailed guidance on what is a native species with particular attention to local seed sources.  A good rule of thumb is that each species you plant be native in the watershed where you are planting or surrounding watersheds.  Work with local native plant nurseries or programs such as Trees for Life to increase the availability of local native stock.

2. Select Local Species Adapted To Your Site – Choose native species that occur locally, from local seed and are adapted to the specific soil, topography, microclimate and hydrological conditions of your planting site.  This may include species with a southern affinity, popularly known as ‘Carolinian species’ if your site is suitable. A good rule of thumb is to mimic plant communities in adjacent natural areas.

3. Enhance Natural Diversity To Create Habitat - Carolinian Canada is distinctive in the wide variety of life it hosts.  The diversity of wild native species and habitats here is among the highest in Canada. This can be a challenge when planning planting projects, because it means there is no consistent list of species that is good for all sites.  However, it also means that each planting project can be unique, interesting and attractive to a variety of wildlife.  To enhance natural diversity, ensure that each planting project includes wide mix of species, form and structure eg. Trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses.   Include habitat features such as pits, mounds, water, logs, snags.  Remove or reduce lawn cover to allow a natural mix of species to develop.  A good rule of thumb is to create groupings and clusters that mimic local natural habitats. You may consider creating several different habitat types on one property.

4. Use Rare Plants Rarely - The best planting lists focus on locally common species.  Carolinian Canada has over 500 provincially rare species and many rare plant communities.  You can generate a list for your county by visiting the Ontario Natural Heritage Information Centre website.  Planting rare species can be fascinating and educational but you may also inadvertently harm local rare populations by introducing new genetic strains.  If you want to plant rare species, we strongly recommend that you consult a local ecologist involved in rare species recovery programs. As an alternative, consider restoring threatened habitats to enhance habitat for rare wildlife (E.g. Prairie, savanna, snake hibernacula) or working to protect naturally occurring rare species.

5. Go Organic – To the extent that it is possible, avoid the use of herbicides and pesticides.  Use organic alternatives such as tree tubes, mulch blankets, weeding and thorough site preparation.  An organic approach may increase job and volunteer opportunities and have positive long term impacts on landscape health.  This is especially important as your plantings grow and a ‘food web’ of wildlife begins to evolve that may be sensitive to pollution in water, soil and air (e.g. frogs, insects, bats).  If chemicals must be used, ensure they are not persistent in the environment and are applied in a minimal, targeted and restricted fashion by trained people with appropriate timing.  Work with neighbours to reduce runoff and sprays and create buffers to filter adjacent chemical applications.

6. Let It Grow - Plantings are exciting projects that allow you to directly shape a habitat, however always first consider whether planting is needed or whether ‘mother nature knows best’.  Plantings should be focused on sites that lack natural features in order to restore healthy landscapes.  In many cases, such as in degraded natural areas or adjacent to existing natural areas, the best approach is to let the site undergo natural succession.  By letting naturally occurring seeds grow, a genetically and ecologically appropriate natural habitat can be restored relatively quickly with minimal cost and effort.

This approach can include interesting and educational activities that will promote a sense of respect for natural processes. Management may be required to protect the site from non-native species, pollution, trampling and other disturbance.  Installing wildlife structures such as perching posts can help to spread seeds naturally.  Lending a helping hand to spread seeds from a nearby tree or carrying out a prescribed burn is built on an understanding of local ecology.  Many municipalities are starting to let roadside butterfly habitats grow by making minimal adjustments to their maintenance plans.

It is important to take this approach in existing natural areas and old fields where remnant rare communities and species may be present.  For example, old growth hawthorn savanna is a rare community in Carolinian Canada and important for many species of wildlife but is often destroyed as insignificant.  If planting is to occur in existing natural areas and old fields, the site should be inventoried by an ecologist to identify which existing species and habitats should be nurtured and which should be removed.

7. Plant Strategically -  The Big Picture maps out a vision of what a healthy landscape in Carolinian Canada could look like if we all work together to restore natural habitats. Your planting is an important part of achieving the goals of the Big Picture.   You can maximize your contribution to landscape health by considering these concepts of planting strategically:  a) increase natural cover by converting disturbed areas to natural habitat  b) enlarge existing natural areas to increase rare ‘interior habitat’ (100 meters or more from edge) and c) create natural habitat corridors by linking along waterways, hedgerows and other landscape features. The concepts of the Big Picture are more important than the actual lines on the map.  Work with neighbours and communities to aim for 20 - 30% natural cover, recommended by Environment Canada for healthy landscapes.  A connected and healthy natural network will help protect water, air, soil and wildlife resources; adapt to climate change and prepare for an uncertain future.

8. Integrate into a Working Landscape – Plant your site with local knowledge and local connections.    In this way you will help create a Big Picture landscape that fits with working communities, local traditions and outdoor activities while increasing overall landscape health. Help to establish sustainable conservation actions, ethics and attitudes.  Think about how your project can help build awareness, connect with neighbours, demonstrate best conservation practices and build economic opportunities without threatening existing fragile habitat.  For example, your project may be able to help to reduce recreational pressures on rare species by moving trails and recreational activities into newly converted natural area.  ‘Grow’ new economic opportunities in new habitat areas with the goal of decreasing disturbance in mature natural areas.  Set aside areas of ‘old growth’ that can be locally respected and contribute to community pride for many years to come.

9. Work with Conservation Partners to make a Plan – Conservation groups, experts and local volunteers are a great resource that can provide you with on-site assistance and general information.  A good place to start is with your local Conservation Authority or Stewardship Council.  There are also many conservation groups and funding programs that offer specialized assistance such as wetland restoration, tax rebates, volunteer labour or long term protection.  A conservation group, native plant nursery or consultant can help guide you to appropriate assistance and alert you to issues specific to your area.  Ask about local recovery teams.  Join a local naturalist club or woodlot owners association to share ideas with experts and neighbours.  Work with an ecologist to create a plan to protect rare species, restore habitat and  reach the working goals you have for your property.

10. Think Big – Even when you need to stray from these guidelines, think about how you can reduce your impacts on natural areas. For example, if you choose to plant non-native species, select non-invasive ones, keep them far away from natural areas and watch for escapes.

Keep in mind that even the smallest Big Picture action can help to reverse the current trend of habitat loss and degradation in this region.  Everyone, in a back yard or back forty can contribute to healthy landscapes with a little thought, planning and patience.