June 24, 2004, Southwest Middlesex

Carolinian Canada Plaque Unveiled at Sydenham River 

On Thursday, June 24 a Carolinian Canada Heritage plaque was unveiled to recognize the Sydenham River Corridor, one of 38 critical Carolinian Canada sites in the province. "The stretch of the river from County Rd. 80 to County Rd. 79, is one of the most beautiful and natural stretches of the Sydenham" Ralph Coe, General Manager of the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority said. The site is 387 hectares and includes lands owned by the Municipality of Southwest Middlesex and the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority, however, the majority of this Carolinian Canada site is privately owned. Conservation of this unique area depends on the good stewardship of the public owners and of these local families. 

The Sydenham River in southwestern Ontario is the only major watershed which lies completely in the Carolinian Life Zone and is relatively undisturbed by industrial development. The Sydenham River supports an incredible variety of aquatic life. At least 82 species of fish and 34 species of freshwater mussels have been found here, making it one of the richest watersheds in all of Canada in terms of species diversity. 

Several species in the Sydenham River are found nowhere else in Canada, and some remain at only a few locations globally. Many of these species at risk have been nationally listed as endangered, threatened, or of special concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). 

"Promoting these sites is an important role of Carolinian Canada," Michelle Kanter Executive Director of Carolinian Canada said. Carolinian Canada is a 20-year-old coalition of 40+ public sector and non-government conservation organizations aimed at conserving the wildlife and habitats of southwest Ontario's most threatened region. 

The Carolinian life zone lies south of a line between Toronto and Grand Bend. Prickly pear cactus, opossum, sassafras and magnolia trees are among the unusual native species found here, typical of more southern climates of the eastern United States. The region has the greatest diversity of species in Canada-and the greatest number of rare and endangered species. The partnership includes federal and provincial departments and ministries, conservation authorities, naturalists' groups, agricultural groups and stewardship councils. Funding for the Carolinian Canada Heritage Plaque program is provided by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. 

-30- 

Michelle Kanter,
Executive Director Carolinian Canada 

Rick Battson, Director of Communications 
St. Clair Region Conservation Authority 
(519) 245-3710 
rbattson@scrca.on.ca