"Seven years ago, we moved to a 1.4 acre residential property on the north shore of Lake Erie. Like most residences in the area, the property featured nothing but empty lawn and was entirely surrounded by industrial farming. Despite being situated in an important bird migration pathway, there was little habitat for wildlife anywhere to be seen. What could we do to help hungry migrating birds, making their first landfall after a long journey?
The following spring we signed up for the tree planting program at our local conservation authority, Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA). Through them, we obtained hundreds of bare-root seedlings of many different Carolinian trees and shrubs. We got busy planting! Then, when a neighbour saw what we were doing, he shared more native plants with us. Each year, we added a little more: trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and prairie grasses from local native plant nurseries (as well as some pawpaws from Carolinian Canada!) We were surprised at how quickly the tiny plants grew. In just six years, the sycamore and tulip trees have reached fifteen feet; the elderberry and arrowwood shrubs have formed an impenetrable wall; and the wildflowers and grasses are flourishing.
Photo: Lisa Wang
Very soon we noticed an astonishing increase in the number and diversity of native wildlife species on the property. Insects, birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians now abound, including several endangered species. We have identified 157 bird species to date, on or from within the bounds of the property, which has become a busy rest-stop for migrating birds. Night and day we delight in the beauty of butterflies, moths, fireflies, and dragonflies; the chorus of birds, frogs, toads, crickets, and grasshoppers; the scent of prairie wildflowers all around us. On our modest 1.4 acres, nature is clearly thriving, thanks to native planting.
This change soon caught the attention of our neighbours. One was encouraged to sign up for the LTVCA tree planting program himself. Now, his property too, once empty grass, is full of baby Carolinian trees! And next spring, another neighbour will be planting on his property starts from our prolific Carolinian shrubs.
In a community of neatly mowed lawns and industrial farming, we stand out as “different”, but through conversations with those we meet, sharing native plants, and our Carolinian Canada “In the Zone” signage, we hope to serve as ambassadors for native planting to support biodiversity. Planting Carolinian has made a difference for wildlife, for our community, and for us. It’s one of the best things we’ve ever done!"