Resource agencies, sportsmen and naturalists have worked cooperatively for decades to conserve wetlands. Today, a new ethic of corporate and industrial responsibility toward the natural environment has led to many new and exciting partnership opportunities. Whether it's developing an environmental code of ethics or dedicating land as a wildlife reserve, the corporate and industrial sectors are emerging as significant and enthusiastic partners in conservation. Making Progress in the Great Lakes Basin Oshawa Second Marsh is being brought back to health through the combined efforts of Environment Canada, Friends of Second Marsh, the City of Oshawa, General Motors and the local community. A barrier has been installed to prevent carp from entering a portion of the marsh and uprooting vegetation.
Construction is carried out during the winter to minimize damage to the wetland.
Selected Priority Wetlands for Protection and Rehabilitation Organizing a community effort to clean up a neighbourhood river is a simple way to improve wetland habitat. Within Ontario, Provincial Wildlife Areas protect 71,857 hectares of habitat most of which is wetlands. Water level control changed an unproductive dense cattail habitat to a very diverse habitat supporting a variety of species such as Black Tern, Least Bittern and Muskrat. Some of the most significant and beautiful Great Lakes coastal wetlands are protected through the management of Provincial and National Parks including Long Point, Rondeau, Presqu'ile and Point Pelee. The Oshawa Second Marsh, located east of Toronto, is unique since it is one of the few remaining Lake Ontario shoreline wetlands adjacent to a large urban centre.