Lemoine Point Conservation Area Grassland Habitat Restoration Project

August 2026 to Spring 2027

The grassland habitat at the southern end of the Lemoine Point Conservation Area has been slowly deteriorating over time. Native forbs and grasses have been replaced by aggressively spreading shrubs and other woody plant species. As a result, there has been a noted reduction in the number of breeding pairs of both Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark, two native bird species listed as Threatened under the federal Species At Risk Act. Available plants for pollinator species have also been reduced over time, due to increasing shrub encroachment.

This project will ultimately enhance biodiversity, provide critical habitat to threatened species as well as improve the site's overall resilience to climate change and invasive species.

Project Description:

Cataraqui Conservation has retained the services of Ducks Unlimited Canada - Conservation Pro Division, via a tendering process in spring 2026, to be the contractor on this project.

The project site consists of 22.62 hectares of land at the south end of Lemoine Point Conservation Area, suitable for grassland habitat restoration activities. Previous monitoring of the site identified nesting pairs of both Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark; however, extensive encroachment by gray dogwood and other shrub species had reduced habitat suitability.

The project objectives are to:

  • Restore 22.62 ha of degraded meadow to functional native grassland habitat.
  • Remove gray dogwood and other wood encroachment.
  • Re-establish a structurally native grass and forb community suitable for Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, other native ground-nesting grassland species and pollinators.
  • Improve long-term resilience of the meadow to shrub re-invasion.
  • Deliver a restoration plan supported by current grassland restoration science and best practices.

The restoration plan for this project has been designed in accordance with the Migratory Birds Convention Act and Species Conservation Act. The timeline for the project has been designed to have the least amount of disturbance for species at risk.

The project has been designed to prioritize long-term habitat function and ecological resilience, ensuring the restored meadow develops the vegetation structure and plan diversity required to support breeding grassland birds.

Project Schedule:

Date Activity Summary of work
Mid to end of August, 2026 Physical shrub removal and vegetation clearing. The meadow will be cleared of vegetation using a tracked skid steer with a MeriCrusher forestry mulcher attachment. Timing of this work complies with restrictions under the Migratory Birds Convention Act. The object of this phase is to reset woody succession while minimizing soil disturbance.
Mid August to late September, 2026. Herbicide application. Necessary to prevent rapid recolonization of dogwood in the following growing season. The spot application will be conducted by licensed operators in compliance with provincial regulations.
Mid August to late September, 2026 Soil and seedbed preparation. Discing or harrowing will be used as needed to condition the seedbed and improve seed to soil contact.
Mid to late November, 2026 Seeding (after first hard frost). Dormant fall seeding allows natural stratification of native seed and supports germination the following spring. A seed drill will be used wherever feasible with broadcast seeding to supplement areas where required. The seeding mix will be selected to support Bobolink habitat requirements, with additional consideration for pollinator species.
April to May 2027 Establishment inspection and early maintenance. The site will be inspected during the first growing season in 2027 to evaluate establishment success and identify any early management needs.

This project has been structured using an Integrated Pest Management approach. A range of available methodologies have been combined to most effectively restore the grassland habitat at the south end of Lemoine Point Conservation Area. The goal is to minimize negative environmental impacts, and use only the minimum amount of chemical intervention necessary to successfully remove gray dogwood and establish the native grassland ecosystem.

Impacts to Lemoine Point Conservation Area Visitors:

Certain activities will require restricting access to the project area and surrounding trail network. Restrictions/closures will be limited to a few hours or a few days. Closures will be posted on social media when they are to occur and signage will be placed in parking areas and trails at the Lemoine Point Conservation Area notifying visitors. Access to the northern portion of the Conservation Area will not be affected.

  • August 2026 Restrictions: Closure of the south parking lot (Front St. entrance) and a portion of the service road and trails surrounding the restoration areas, at the start of the mulching operations (while the contractor manages the vegetation adjacent to trails). The portion of Trail 5 that crosses directly thought the restoration area will be closed for the duration of the mulching activities (estimated to take up to two weeks).
  • September 2026 Restrictions: Closure of the south parking lot (Front St. entrance) and portion of the service road and trails surrounding, and bisecting, the restoration areas during herbicide application (estimated to be one day).

Project Funding:

Funding for this project is provided by external partners, by formal agreement. These funds are restricted for use for habitat restoration activities, and not to be used for regular property maintenance.

Questions / Comments:

If you have any questions regarding the Lemoine Point Conservation Area Grassland Restoration Project please contact Cataraqui Conservation at info@crca.ca or call 613-546-4228.