EAB Response: Natural Areas Restoration
Just the Facts
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive species that now infests Essex County, west Chatham-Kent and other areas. Native to China, Japan, Korea and Mongolia, since its discovery in Canada in Windsor in 2002, the pest has moved eastwards quickly and is expected to kill most of the ash trees in the infested area.
Ash has traditionally been an extremely popular species in the region, as it is a hearty tree that tends to flourish, even in the hard clay soils and drought conditions that dominate much of the region. In 2004, all ash trees were removed from a ten kilometre wide Ash Free Zone in west Chatham-Kent in an effort to halt the natural dispersal of the insect east of the infested area. Ongoing vigilance to prevent the movement of infested firewood and nursery stock is also required to minimize the spread of this destructive pest.
The landbase in the affected area already suffers from the lowest percentage of natural areas coverage in the Province. The United Nations has stated that at least 12% of any geographic region should consist of natural areas for it to be healthy and sustainable.
In an effort to mitigate some of these impacts, the Ministry of Natural Resources has provided significant funding for natural areas restoration of the Emerald Ash Borer infested areas, in and west of the Ash Free Zone. The Essex Region Conservation Authority, Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, Essex County Stewardship Network, Stewardship Kent, the City of Windsor, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent and others will coordinate this effort. The intent of this program is to enhance the landscape and seize as many restoration opportunities as possible using the Essex Region Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, Chatham-Kent's Official Plan and other natural habitat restoration strategies as guides.
The EAB Response - Natural Areas Restoration Grant Program has been developed to offset the negative environmental impacts of EAB by providing grants to landowners for tree planting. Landowners residing in and west of the Ash Free Zone are eligible for this grant program. This includes all of Essex County and the extreme western part of Chatham-Kent.
The program is not a tree replacement program for dead or dying ash. It is a natural areas restoration grant program, and eligible projects will enhance the ecological condition of the landscape. Specifically, projects that receive funding must:
- achieve a net increase in forest cover, and/or
- enhance the ecological value of existing forest areas, and/or
- increase and improve linkages between existing natural areas, and/or
- expand neighbouring areas of forest
QUICK FACTS
- Most Ash trees in the region will likely be lost as a result of the Emerald Ash Borer.
- Significant efforts must be made in Natural Areas Restoration to meet the goal of 12% natural areas coverage, which is the minimum requirement identified by the United Nations for a healthy and sustainable community.
- With funding from the Ministry of Natural Resources, the EAB Response Natural Areas Restoration Grant Program will allow natural areas to be restored strategically across the region.
- This program provides excellent opportunity for landowners to improve and restore their properties.
- Planting trees helps to create a healthier future for the community.
EAB Response - Natural Areas Restoration Grant Program
The EAB Response: Natural Areas Restoration Grant Program will fund projects according to the following principles:
- Only native seedlings grown from locally collected seed will be used for restoration projects. Projects which use a diversity of native species are encouraged.
- Participating landowners agree not to alter or destroy the planted trees, subject to the Stewardship Agreement requirements of the partnering delivery agencies. The program will allow the landowners to carry out any operations that are consistent with the Stewardship Agreement. Landowner Stewardship includes such activities as weed control and annual inspections for signs and symptoms of damage by insects and diseases.
- Landowners agree to pay at least 25% of the costs of the project. In kind goods and services, as well as cash payments will be considered as meeting this requirement.
- A completed application and planting plan are required for eligibility in the program. Generally, projects should result in approximately one or more acres of trees planted.
- Species and quantities of trees available will depend on the production capacities of cooperating nurseries, available seed, etc.
- Grants are awarded on a first come, first serve basis, provided they meet all other criteria. This program provides excellent opportunity for landowners to improve or restore their property and increase its value while improving the environmental health of the community.
- The cost to plant a one-acre forest is only about $1,200?
- Forested land has a significant environmental, social and resale value?
- The EAB Response-Natural Areas Restoration Program, together with funding from the Ministry of Natural Resources and other sources, will provide up to three quarters of that cost to qualified applicants?
Contact Information
RESTORATION GRANT HOTLINE
1-888-487-4760 ext: 305
|
Robert Davies |
Brett Groves |
|
Randall Van Wagner |
Don Hector |
Eligible areas include the Essex Region and areas of Chatham-Kent west of and including the Ash Free Zone.
Through this program, natural areas will be enhanced in a strategic manner. Landowners benefiting from the program will be expected to contribute 25% of the costs. Criteria for inclusion focuses on restoration opportunities that connect woodlands, create natural corridors, plant on retired or marginal lands and ultimately increase the total natural areas cover within the Essex region and west Chatham-Kent towards the identified target of 12%.
