- Natural Ecosystems
Habitat restoration projects, tree planting programs, bird nesting boxes,
wildlife rescue initiatives, climate change campaigns
We tend to think about natural ecosystems as being in uninhabited areas far away from where we live. However, even in dense urban areas there are important natural habitats that can be significantly improved with community support. Here are some examples of worthwhile natural ecosystem projects that enhance environmental values in both populated and unpopulated areas:
- Uncovering, or “daylighting”, streams that have been buried in underground culverts and creating rain gardens to handle water runoff in way that restores natural ecosystems.
- Removing invasive species such as blackberry bushes and replanting with species that were native to the site before it was disturbed
- Installing bird nest boxes and certain types of plants, shrubs and trees that provide food and shelter for birds and allow them to set up permanent homes.
- Enhancing shoreline habitats so they provide spawning areas for fish and habitat for shoreline birds and animals. Creating raised walking paths through these areas is a way for residents to enjoy them without disturbing the new terrestrial and aquatic life.
- Turning monoculture lawns into naturalized habitats and installing pathways through them for all to enjoy.
- Planting trees, which provide many benefits such as: preventing soil erosion on steep slopes, calming traffic on boulevards, providing shade next to southern building exposures, and acting as climate change champions by breathing in C02 and breathing out oxygen.
- Saving endangered plant and animal species by enhancing their habitats and protecting them from development.
- Creating boardwalks, pathways, lookout towers, pedestrian bridges and others structures to allow people to discover environmentally-rich land areas.
Next time you are out for a stroll through your neighbourhood or on a day hike in the wilderness, look for land areas that could be turned into natural ecosystem meccas with a little love. You may be surprised how many you find.