Of all the ecosystems in Canada, our wetlands host the greatest diversity of life. All variety of animals, from fish to birds, insects to reptiles, crustaceans to mammals find refuge and sustenance in wetlands. In addition to their habitat potential they also help to regulate the flow of water.
	Late day sun shines on the Beechwood Wetland.

When it rains wetlands become giant natural sponges, retaining and absorbing water. During dry periods they slowly release water. Water that flows through a wetland tends to slow down and this allows suspended solids to settle out of the water. Some aquatic plants are also able to filter out some dissolved elements in water resulting in a cleaner outflow.

A green heron (left) and a great blue heron (right) wait for supper to swim by.	Two young muskrats snack on cattails in the Don Valley Brick Works quarry pond.

Unfortunately, the Don River watershed has lost most of its wetlands. Industrialization in the 19th century and urbanization in the 20th century have resulted in the loss of most of the wetlands in the valley. Many of the tributaries that flow into the Don River have been buried.

The Task Force to Bring Back the Don in partnership with the Natural Environment and Horticulture Section of Parks, Forestry and Recreation has adopted a strategy to preserve and enhance existing wetlands and where possible, create new ones.

One of the first projects for Bring Back the Don was the creation of a demonstration wetland, Chester Springs Marsh. Just south of the Prince Edward (Bloor Street) Viaduct, this major project took several years to plan and build. Planning started in 1993 and by 1997 it was a functioning wetland.

Since then work has been completed or ongoing at several new sites. You will likely see these places if you travel along the paths in the valleys and ravines. Some of these include Binscarth Swamp, Helliwell's Hill, Riverdale Park East, Glen Cedar and Lonsdale Wet Meadow in Cedarvale Park, Glen Edyth and Roycroft Wetlands in Nordheimer Ravine, and the Beltline Pond. Our newest site, started in 2002, is called the Beechwood Wetland.

Other wetland sites are Riverdale Farm Ponds, Don Valley Brick Works, and Todmorden Mills. The Task Force is active at these sites in monitoring and maintenance activities.

As part of the overall strategy of restoration, the Task Force participates in the city-wide Community Stewardship Program, coordinated by the Natural Environment and Horticulture Section. Volunteers working in teams visit project sites and help to control the spread of invasive plants. They also monitor animal activity, perform vegetation surveys and do water quality tests. This program will be active at each site until that site becomes self-sustaining. If you are interested in volunteering at one of these sites, visit our Summer Volunteers page for more information.

Text and photos by John Routh except where noted.