The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada (DSC) has a rich and diverse landscape which supports many ecosystems. The forests, marshes, ponds, and grasslands that comprise this landscape are home to a wide variety of wildlife (vertebrates and invertebrates). The DSC Environmental Committee (EC) was created in 2019 to protect and manage these natural areas and their inhabitants. We have many projects on the go to achieve these goals.
For the past number of years, a major project we have involves removing non-native invasive plants from the property —the main focus on buckthorn and phragmites. Ducks Unlimited (DU) has partnered with us to help eradicate the phragmites using moths (Lenisa geminipuncta and Archanara neurica) as biological control agents.
These moths are a natural enemy of phragmites. Their larvae bore into the phragmites’ stem and consume the plant. Eventually the plant weakens and dies. The moths target phragmites only and have been studied for over 20 years as biological control agents; we are anticipating promising results.
Planting more native trees on the DSC property is another project we have ongoing. We were able to start in the fall 2022 using funds received from very generous DSC donors! Six trees (7-9 ft in height) were planted (two Sugar maples, Red maple, Serviceberry, White oak and Red oak) and we are eager to see new leaves on them this spring!
The creation of more pollinator-supporting gardens is another project on our list. If you have visited the DSC last summer, you may have noticed a few of these beautiful and colourful gardens. Some of these plants were purchased with grant money awarded to the DSC from Pollination Guelph. Our DSC gardening volunteers work enthusiastically every summer planting these wonderful gardens!
Clearing, maintaining and ensuring safe trails through our fields and forests is an annual must-do undertaking. When this work is completed, the various trails will be available to visitors for nature hikes on both our Open days and Tours.
Maintaining the health of our ponds and marshes is another important goal for us. DU is planning work to repair the culvert connecting the east and west marshes to enhance water flow between them. This repair will create healthier marshes in terms of water levels and supporting plants and animals in these areas.
With the use of stealth cameras, monitoring various animal species that pass through and/or reside at the Sanctuary is something we have been doing for several years as well. We are participating in the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas, a study involving observing/documenting/reporting breeding and nesting birds at the DSC.
The West Ridge Pond is brimming with wildlife. An observation one afternoon yielded 70+ Painted turtles either resting in the water or basking on the rocks. Amazing! This pond has its resident families of muskrats, many Green and Leopard frogs. It is used as a stop-over for migrating birds such as Pectoral sandpipers, Solitary sandpipers, and Lesser Yellowlegs. The wild-flowers in the nearby meadows attract a myriad of insects and arthropods too!
Not only is the DSC a Sanctuary for our beloved donkeys and mules, but it provides sanctuary and refuge for our wildlife as well. Some are considered species at risk (SAR) such as snapping turtles. Yet others have declining populations (e.g., insectivorous birds). The EC is committed to protecting, improving, and maintaining these natural areas. We hope to see wildlife thrive in coming years.
