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Kanata North Regeneration Stewards (KN Regens) work to restore native biodiversity to the local landscape following best practices and principles set out by the Society for Ecological Restoration and the Assisted Natural Regeneration Alliance. The Society for Ecological Restoration’s mission is to advance the science, practice, and policy of ecological restoration to sustain biodiversity, improve resilience in a changing climate, and re-establish an ecologically healthy relationship between nature and culture.
By using a broad set of Assisted Natural Regeneration practices, KN Regens help degraded landscapes and ecosystems to recover and regenerate naturally.
Where and Why
1. Kanata North Hydro Corridor
This Hydro Corridor is a welcome bit of green space in Kanata, but the greenery is largely comprised of noxious weeds and invasive plant species. We are slowly transforming 26,000 square feet of it into rich mini-meadows. These mini-meadows are full of colourful native wildflowers, which are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also highly beneficial to the local birds, bees, and butterflies.
Our corridor work is currently in three parts: the KNCG Friendship Garden located at the entrance to the Kanata North Community Garden; the Kanata North Pollinator Patch, located just south of Klondike at Abbeydale Circle, and the Urban Mini-Meadow, next to the KN Pollinator Patch. See our Projects page to learn more.
In 2016, Hydro One cleared and reseeded much of the area between Terry Fox to just North of Brady with native wildflowers and grasses, selected to choke out invasive species as part of its required infrastructure maintenance program. Detailed information about this early endeavour to revitalize the corridor can be found on the Ottawa Stewardship Council's website.
2. South March Highlands Conservation Forest
The South March Highlands Conservation Forest is one of the most ecologically significant and biodiverse areas in Ottawa. Unfortunately though, it too is being overtaken by invasive plant species. We expanded our efforts into the forest in 2024 when one of our volunteers discovered a dense field of Wild Parsnip along the Klondike trail. Read more about our work in the South March Highlands here.
Why?
When we hear news about environmental issues, and the current state of biodiversity, it's very natural to feel a sense of guilt or anxiety. However, rather than ignore the problem, or give in to denial or despair, there are still opportunities to take action and to restore our relationship with nature. Our continued existence on the planet ultimately depends on this, after all.
Pollinators, for example, have been on a steep decline for decades, due to several factors including habitat destruction, pesticide use and the climate crisis. We depend on pollinators for 1 out of every 3 bites of food, their loss is ultimately our loss. Fortunately, our connectedness means that by taking action, by rebuilding the habitat they need to thrive, we will thrive too.
Our vision is to create vibrant and robust urban meadow habitat in Kanata North. By fostering the growth of native wildflowers in our community, we benefit pollinator species while improving health and quality of life for people.
What is an Urban Meadow?
Urban meadows are as the name suggests, meadows integrated into urban spaces. They consist of native wildflowers and grasses. The native aspect is crucial; ecosystems are made of complex relationships between different living things. The bugs that evolved here did so with the flowers that evolved here, and so too with the other animals and plants from these parts. A native bee must have native flowers to get proper nutrition; if a native bee only has access to non-native flowers, that bee will never be properly fed, and the population of that bee species will decline, taking with it the populations of any flora or fauna that depend on it. The best way to support local pollinators is to provide them with what they need.
Urban native plant meadows provide direct benefits to our neighbourhoods as well. Native perennials, or plants which come back every year, have roots that go far deeper than their non-native counterparts. These deep roots do an excellent job of slowing and absorbing stormwater, which reduces the risk of floods in heavy rainfall and keeps the soil moist in dry weather. Such meadows, as a whole, also help cool the environment and sink carbon.
Along with these physical benefits, urban meadows are also beneficial to people's well-being. Studies show that the rich, cheerful beauty of nature, such as that which is found in meadow landscapes, improves people's moods and helps regulate their nervous systems.
Fun Facts
Did you know that mowed turf grass acts like an engineered hardscape (roads, sidewalks, driveways etc.)? When rainfall lands on engineered hardscapes, it picks up contaminants (pesticide, herbicide, fertilizer, pet waste etc.), volume, and velocity, before it arrives at a low-lying area. Unfortunately, the shallow roots of turf grass aren't equipped to help manage stormwater.
Caterpillars are nature's nutritious hotdogs for many critters. Birds need thousands of caterpillars to feed their babies. For example, Chickadees need 6,000 to 9,000 caterpillars over 10-15 days to feed a single clutch.
Biodiversity is the variety of life (genetic, species and ecosystem levels) on Earth or some part of it. It includes all living forms, plants, animals and micro-organisms. It is the natural wealth of a region that provides resources and ecological services.
Interested in creating a pollinator garden at home, work, school, or your organization? Here's a great resource: Create Your Own Pollinator Garden
KN Regens are also available to support your efforts to build a pollinator garden as an additional resource.
Have you heard about the Meadoway in Toronto? The Meadoway is transforming a hydro corridor in Scarborough into a vibrant 16-kilometre stretch of urban greenspace and meadowlands that will become one of Canada’s largest linear urban parks.
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