2 - Princess Point

3 - High Level Bridge

4 - Chedoke Creek

5 - Bull's Point

6 - Longwood Drive Extent of Marsh Vegetation

The RAP has adopted the "ecosystem approach" as the fundamental principle to restoration. It is premised on a recognition that everything in nature is connected and interacts with everything else.

The approach is to restore the Cootes Paradise marsh as one integrated unit within its watershed. RAP partners have initiated strategies to relieve the stresses contributing to the loss of the marsh both within the marsh itself and in the marsh watersheds.

(For example: sediment control guidelines, land stewardship program, watershed planning and Chedoke Creek combined sewer overflow tank.)

ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT PROCESS

Directed by Royal Botanical Gardens, a Project Advisory Committee continually reviews information from research and monitoring to target and fine tune the restoration program.

• High Nutrient Levels

Phosphorus and nitrogen are essential to plant growth. Excessive nutrients cause an over abundance of algae, preventing light from reaching submerged plants and may cause low levels of dissolved oxygen.
Nutrient sources include urban and agriculture runoff, effluent from the Dundas Waste-water Treatment Plant, combined sewer overflows and the release of nutrients from marsh sediments.

• Turbidity
  High turbidity prevents light from reaching submerged marsh plants and is caused by :

• High Water Levels
  High water levels limit the growth of emergent aquatic plants. Stabilization of water levels on Lake Ontario is adversely affecting aquatic vegetation in the Cootes Paradise marsh. A marsh requires regular cycles of high and low water levels to regenerate diverse plant communities.

The marsh is responding to restoration efforts. This is evident by clearer water and returning plant and wildlife.

MILESTONES

• Constructed Cootes Paradise Fishway and Carp Barrier
• Established Aquatic Plant Nursery
• Completed Desjardins Trail and Chedoke Creek Naturalization
• Constructed Hickory Valley Amphibian Ponds
• Developed Royal Botanical Gardens Strategic Plan
• Constructed Combined Sewer Overflow Tank on Chedoke Creek
• Developed Spencer Creek Watershed Plan
• Ongoing Student and Volunteer Planting Programs
• Ongoing Research and Monitoring
• Ongoing Experimental Planting and Wildlife techniques