Highlands Wetlands w Sheila Ziman & Paul Heaven

<p>On the next episode of PH we take a close look at the role Haliburton’s wetlands play in limiting future climate change as well as adapting to the warming already in the pipeline. Ontario is home to an astounding 25% of Canada’s and 6% of the world’s wetlands.</p><p><br></p><p>Haliburton’s almost 20,000 acres of wetlands, sequester a huge amount of carbon, filter our lake and drinking water, and limit the impact of flooding by slowing surface runoff and channeling it into the water table.</p><p><br></p><p>Covering 25% of Haliburton’s land area, wetlands have nominal protection under all five Municipal Official plans across the County, but are still being eroded by increasing site alteration and development pressure.</p><p><br></p><p>The Haliburton County Land Trust has recently obtained two wetland mapping and evaluation grants which it hopes will greatly enhance the capacity of municipal governments to stop further encroachment and lay the groundwork for improved future wetland protection and restoration actions.</p>