Grassland Restoration on BTC Lands
The BTC is conducting grassland restoration in several BTC-protected areas to bring back rare tallgrass prairie and meadow habitats. These are habitats dominated by grasses and wildflowers, rather than shrubs and trees.
Tallgrass prairie once covered a significant portion of southern Ontario’s landscape but, due to urban development, conversion to agriculture and fire suppression, less than 3% of this habitat remains in the province. We are recreating tallgrass prairie and meadow habitat to provide space for rare prairie plants, food for pollinators, and nesting habitat for at-risk grassland birds. Grasslands are also great at storing carbon in the soil, helping to mitigate climate change.
BTC lands are chosen for grassland restoration based on the existing vegetation, the presence of grassland species that could benefit from the restoration, and appropriate soil and climate conditions. The restoration typically occurs in existing fields that are dominated by non-native plants, where we can improve biodiversity by establishing native grassland plants.
The Restoration Process
Grasslands are not restored overnight. For the restoration to be successful, the site has to be properly prepared, seeded and maintained.
Site preparation involves eliminating existing non-native plants to make room for the native plants that will be seeded. It can also include the removal of thatch and working of the soil, which can help promote the growth of the new seeds. Site preparation steps may include mowing, herbicide application, tilling, seeding ‘cover crops’ (which hold the soil until the site is ready for the seeding of grassland plants) and controlled burning. The exact steps required may vary from site to site depending on the conditions. For some steps, such as herbicide application and burning, we may instate temporary trail closures to ensure that our work does not impact hikers. Notices are posted on-site, on our website and on the BTC app to notify hikers. It is important to remember that, while sometimes the site does not look its best during the site preparation process, this stage is temporary and will allow a healthy grassland to flourish.
After site preparation, it is time to introduce native seeds to the site. A wide variety of native grassland species are chosen to fulfill different roles in the ecosystem and support a variety of pollinators and wildlife. The species list is adjusted for each site based on its location and soil conditions. Seed can be broadcast over the site or ‘drilled’ right into the soil. Some species are likely to start sprouting right away, while others may take a year or more to show up.
After the site is seeded, we monitor and maintain it to ensure a healthy grassland flourishes! Maintenance can include additional plantings, management of invasive species, and periodic mowing or burning. It is rewarding to see the plants and wildlife thrive in a healthy restored grassland!
More about controlled burns
A controlled burn, also called a “prescribed burn”, is a widely used method that allows for the growth and regeneration of native grasslands. Controlled burns are deliberately set, carefully planned and controlled by burn specialists. Regular controlled burns are an important natural component in establishing and maintaining grassland habitats, which require occasional disturbances to thrive. Controlled burns are only carried out under specific weather conditions, which helps to minimize smoke drift and ensure the fire burns in a safe manner. Burns are planned ahead of time and approved by the local fire department. The BTC will notify residents in the surrounding area in advance, post notices, and have signage and staff on-site to ensure that the community is aware and safe.
