b'WETLANDS RESTORATIONWaterdepth:VariablewaterdepthsExcavated side slopes: Gentle shoreline slopes (10:1 to withinthewetlandformthebasisfor15:1) provide shallow edge habitats for plants and biodiversity.The most productive depths in awildlife, including waterfowl, and are considered wetland are between 0 and 60 centimetres, thesafer for people near thewetland.area where aquatic plants will flourish. A variety of depths supports diverse plant communities thatSpoil material: Spoil material is graded with will attract wildlife, including insects, frogs, turtles, birdsa minimum 3:1 sideslope for both safety and andmammals. erosioncontrol. Erosion-controlseedmix Appropriatesoils:Asuccessfulwetlandprojectrequiresshouldbedistributedondisturbedareasas appropriatesoilstoholdwateratthesurface(i.e.,keepyoursoon as possible to reduce both erosion and less wetlandwet).Mostaggregatesitesdonotcontainthesesoils,desirable plant growth.which means that topsoil containing at least 30 per cent clay mayWetland buffer/upland plantings: Constructed wetlands require need to be imported. Alternatively, if the site is a pit with a higha minimum 15-metrebuffer to provide wildlife cover and foraging water table, it may be possible to contour a wetland basin below the water table to achieve ideal depths. areas and enhance wetland function. Ideally, uplands adjacent to the wetland should be planted in a mixture of native grasses, trees Growth medium: Most pits and quarries lack sufficient organicand shrubs. Again, the challenge for many aggregate sites is the soil to harbour aquatic plants, and a growth medium needs to belack of sufficient growth medium that may need to be imported to imported. Plants will grow in as little as 30 centimetres of growthensure adequate topsoil prior to planting. medium in the wetland.Benefits at any size: Wetlands come in many different sizes, all Noplantingrequired:Aquaticvegetationcommunitiesshelterof which filter water and provide valuable wildlife habitat. Smaller wildlife, stabilize aquatic soils and improve water quality whenwetlands(0.2ha)thathavenofishprovideidealamphibian they filter sediments and nutrients from the water column. Thebreeding habitat while larger ones will attract a larger diversity of idealratioofopenwatertointerspersedemergent-vegetationspecies. Most wildlife need water at some point in their life cycle communities is 50:50 to provide the most habitat value. For mostso anytime you add a water feature to your rehabilitation site, you wetland projects, aquatic plant seeds are brought in by water, windwill attract more wildlife.and wildlife so no planting is required. Irregularshoreline:WetlandrestorationprojectsrequireanMichael Williams has 25 years of habitat-restoration experience with irregularorsinuousshorelinetomaximizehabitatedgeandDucks Unlimited Canada, a national leader in wetland conservation. enhance attractiveness to wildlife.Julie Pollock works in communications and outreach.Development of a wetland cell at Wise Pit in Huron CountyFALL 2020AVENUES 31'