September 26, Walpole Island First Nation

Walpole Island Celebrates Nature 

On Sunday, September 26th, a Carolinian Canada Natural Heritage Plaque was unveiled to recognize Walpole Island First Nation, one of 38 critical Carolinian Canada sites in the province. Chief Dean Jacobs, MP Rose Marie Ur, Dave White, Acting Director of the Walpole Island Heritage Centre, John Hageman of Tallgrass Ontario and Michelle Kanter of Carolinian Canada spoke to a crowd at the Walpole Island Fall Fair.

Photo caption: Chief Dean Jacobs, MP Rose Marie Ur and Clint Jacobs of the Walpole Island Heritage Centre unveil a Carolinian Canada bronze plaque to celebrate the protection of significant species and habitats on Walpole Island at the Community Fall Fair on Sunday, September 26.

Walpole Island First Nation supports some of the most biologically diverse natural areas remaining in Canada. It has one of the largest tracts of forest cover in southwestern Ontario, species-rich coastal waterways, one of the largest wetland systems in the Great Lakes Basin, and extensive areas of rare tallgrass prairie and oak savanna. These ecosystems provide habitat for over 10 % of Canada's species at risk such as small white lady's slipper, southern flying squirrel, king rail, and channel darter. Some, such as lace grass and white prairie gentian, occur nowhere else in Canada.

The Walpole Island Heritage Centre is active in assisting Council and landholders to recognize and care for these special natural features into the future. As noted on the plaque, "Taking care of these gifts is a responsibility handed down from generation to generation. We must carry on this responsibility for All Our Relations." The plaque is located behind the Walpole Island arena along Tecumseh Highway and easily viewed by the public. 

"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 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. The region has the greatest diversity of species in Canada-and the greatest number of rare and endangered species. The partnership includes government agencies, conservation authorities, naturalists' groups, agricultural groups and stewardship councils. Funding for the Carolinian Canada Heritage Plaque program is provided by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

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