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Welcome! You may have recently received a post card in the mail directing you to this website, which means you probably live in or near the Harmony Farewell Iroquois Wetland Complex. Please read on to learn more about the special habitat features and to receive your free interactive information package.
CLOCA jurisdiction is divided into 15 watersheds which are located in 7 municipalities in the Region of Durham. Three of these watersheds are the Black Creek, Harmony Creek and Farewell Creek Watersheds. Due to their interconnectedness, they are combined to make the Black/Harmony/Farewell (BHF) Watershed.
Click on the map to find out if your property is located in the BHF watershed:
The Black/Harmony/Farewell watershed supports the Harmony-Farewell Iroquois Beach Wetland Complex which is one of the largest wetland complexes and largest swamp communities on the Iroquois Plain in the Greater Toronto Area (OMNR, 1999). In fact, 12.13% of the entire watershed is covered by wetlands, and 7.5% of these wetlands are part of the Harmony-Farewell Iroquois Beach Provincially Significant Wetland (PSW) Complex.
The Harmony-Farewell Iroquois Beach Wetland Complex is one of many PSWs in CLOCA’s jurisdiction. The wetlands in this complex are due to the Lake Iroquois Shoreline, a physiographic area that is characterized by silty sand and a layer of clay which results in very poor drainage. A number of these wetlands are considered headwater wetlands, which means it is the origin of a major watercourse.
Wetlands are valuable ecosystems and are important to many plants, animals, and people like you and your neighbours. Within Southern Ontario, almost 80 percent of our historical wetlands have been lost. In the past, wetlands were seen as wastelands and their true significance and functions were not fully understood, which resulted in them being filled and developed.
CLOCA is working with landowners to protect these significant features and enhance the areas for both wildlife and human use. Having a minimum of 10% wetlands within a watershed is very important for flood attenuation and ground water resources, and also provides habitat for many wildlife species. CLOCA tries to maintain this value through its watershed management plans and by working with landowners like you to create stewardship opportunities.
You can help us continue to protect these important natural areas by learning more about the wetlands in your watershed and in your backyard. Please use the links below to learn more about wetlands, and how we can help you continue to be the great stewards you are.
What is a wetland?
Why are wetlands important?
Provincially Significant Wetlands
What type of wetland do you have on your property?
Good Stewards of the Harmony Farewell Iroquois Beach Wetland Complex
What can we do for you?
Looking for a fun activity outside on a nice day?
All about Wetlands
To obtain a FREE Wetland Information kit for yourself
or your children
click here
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