HIGHWAY 10 5 SIDEROAD MONO (ISLAND LAKE AND AREA)

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1 1 Dufferin County NAI Area # 203, 210, 219, 227, 228, 239, 242, 256, 265, 267, 268, 276, 279, 308, 403, 419, 498, 503, 515, Town of Mono; Size: 428 hectares Town of Orangeville Con 1 WHS, Lots 1-5; Con 1 EHS, Lots 1-5; Con 2 EHS, Lots 1, 3-5; Ownership: 35% private, 65% public (Credit Valley Conservation) Credit Valley Conservation Authority Watershed: Credit River and Nottawasaga River Subwatershed: Credit River: Orangeville to Melville; Upper Nottawasaga River General Summary This natural area is comprised of a large reservoir lake (Island Lake) and its islands, associated wetlands and, on drier terrain, forests and plantations. Adjacent cultural meadows are excluded from this natural area although their function in supporting biodiversity and ecological function of the natural area is recognized. Three cultural meadows over 2 ha that lie within this area are included in it. This area is located on rolling terrain in the Town of Orangeville and the Town of Mono and includes Island Lake Conservation Area. The northwest part of this area crosses the watershed boundary between the Credit River and the Nottawasaga River. The separation between the watersheds at this point is artificial in that it has been created by the North Dam of Island Lake. Land north of the dam is part of the Nottawasaga Valley watershed and to the south of the dam, Island Lake, is in the Credit River watershed. Despite heavy cultural influences, this area s diverse vegetation communities and large size support a high biodiversity of flora and fauna. The lake supports a large number and diversity of fish which support fish-eating birds. Island Lake Conservation Area is one of CVC s core conservation areas and recreational use is heavily promoted, but CVC is making every effort to balance recreational pressures with conservation. NAI ELC surveyors, botanists and ornithologists inventoried vegetation communities, plants and breeding birds and made incidental observations of other fauna, covering 44% of the natural area (determined by access permission). With respect to the NAI core inventories (vegetation communities, plants, breeding birds), this area is considered data-complete. Additional incidental records were contributed by other observers. Fish inventories were conducted by CVC both within this natural area and from upstream sampling stations. As there are no barriers between this area and the upstream stations, the fish species data from upstream was extrapolated to this natural area and combined with data collected on-site. Table 1: NAI Field Visits Visit Date Inventory Type 31 July 1995 Fish 14 July 1999 Fish 15 July 1999 Fish 04 July 2000 Fish 08 Aug Fish 14 June 2001 Fish 17 Aug Fish 18 June 2002 Fish 24 July 2002 Fish 13 Aug Fish 14 Aug Fish 23 May 2003 Fish 11 Aug Fish 04 May 2004 Fish 24 June 2004 Fish 03 Aug Fish

2 2 21 June 2005 Fish 05 Aug Fish 10 Aug Fish 28 Oct Fish 21 June 2006 Fish 30 June 2006 Fish 05 July 2006 Fish 06 July 2006 Fish 13 June 2007 Fish 21 June 2007 Fish 16 July 2007 Fish 17 July 2007 Fish 26 July 2007 Fish 30 July 2007 Fish 04 June 2008 Fauna 11 June 2008 Fish 25 June 2008 Fish 26 June 2008 Fauna 07 July 2008 Fish 21 July 2008 Fish 07 Aug Fish 03 Sept Flora 04 Sept Flora 10 Sept Flora 25 Sept Flora 29 June 2009 Fish 30 June 2009 Fish 09 July 2009 Fish 31 July 2009 ELC 04 Aug ELC 05 Aug ELC 06 Aug ELC 11 Aug ELC 12 Aug ELC 13 Aug ELC 14 Aug ELC 18 Aug ELC Natural Feature Classifications and Planning Areas This natural area is part of: ESA - Orangeville Reservoir ESA PSW - Orangeville Wetland Complex Greenbelt Plan Natural Heritage System Physical Features This area is in the Horseshoe Moraines physiographic region; characterized by north-south trending ridges of sand and silt glacial deposits. Soils tend to be sandy loams that support high rates of recharge to groundwater aquifers. Island Lake is a man-made reservoir controlled by two dams. It marks the beginning of the Credit River, which flows southward from the reservoir. Several other streams flow into Island Lake, including Monora Creek from the west and another that drains the land immediately south of the reservoir and flows north into Island Lake. The natural area also includes a short stretch of Credit River floodplain immediately downstream of the South Dam. Human History This natural area is partially located in Orangeville. The community was first settled in the 1820 s and 1830 s and originally called Griggs Mill, after James Griggs who built the first sawmill on Mill Creek. It was later named Orangeville after an early entrepreneur, Orange Lawrence. In the early 1870 s, the Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway opened between Toronto and Owen Sound and Orangeville became a major station. At that time, Orangeville was shipping out up to 16 railway loads of grain a day (much of it wheat) as well as lumber. By 1875, there was a foundry, three wood-planing mills, two saw-mills, a tannery, a carding mill and a number of carriage and wagon makers. These early industries suggest that logging, grain cultivation, and raising livestock were major land uses in the surrounding area. The population of Orangeville grew rapidly in the late 1800 s but by 1901 the general population of Dufferin County had begun to decline. This was partially due to children of early settlers moving away to new farmland, but also due to poor soil fertility caused by erosion of the light soils after logging. Around this time, water flow levels began to drop which also affected the operation of water-powered mills (Roberts, 2009; Town of Orangeville, 2010).

3 3 In 1967, this natural area changed dramatically with the construction of two large dams. The dams flooded a large cedar swamp, deciduous thicket and a small lake creating a 182 hectare reservoir, first known as the Orangeville Reservoir, but now named Island Lake. The lake, islands and some shoreline properties are part of Island Lake Conservation Area that opened to the public in 1970 (CVC, Undated). Parts of this natural area have been logged and/or grazed as evident by early successional species and a sparse ground flora that includes many exotic species, and part of the area is known to have been under cultivation for the production of nuts. Over half of this natural area is developed as Island Lake Conservation Area. The Conservation Area includes service roads, manicured picnicking areas, boat docks, small service buildings and an outdoor educational centre. Extensive recreational activities are offered, including picnicking, swimming, hiking, cross-country skiing, skating, boating (small electric motors or self-propelled only), and fishing (summer and winter). The trail system is being expanded around the south end of the lake and there are plans to construct a boardwalk connecting the south and north shores of the lake via several of the islands. The Dufferin County Forest property has trail linkage with the lakeshore as well. Recreational use here is moderate to heavy and year-round. This area is bordered by Hurontario St. to the west, some of the north part of the area extends to Sideroad 5 to the north, to 2nd Line E in the easterly direction and a small section is bordered by Hwy. 9 to the south. The margin of the natural area is highly fragmented by adjacent agricultural, recreational and residential land uses. Surrounding land use is diverse and includes agricultural land, cultural meadows, a cemetery, a gravel quarry, rural residential, rural estate, low and medium density residential development. Vegetation Communities The general community types present are shrub cliff (<1%), coniferous forest (6%), deciduous forest (7%), mixed forest (4%), marsh (4%) coniferous swamp (2%), deciduous swamp (6%), mixed swamp (6%), thicket swamp (2%), open aquatic (38%), cultural meadow (3%), cultural savannah (3%), cultural woodland (2%) and plantation (16%). A total of 63 communities belonging to 39 different vegetation types were mapped for this natural area (see Table 2). The Carbonate Shrub Cliff Ecosite (CLS1) community is regionally rare. Nine communities were classified only to the ecosite level. Table 2: ELC Vegetation Communities Map reference * Vegetation type Size in hectares % of natural area CLS1 Carbonate Shrub Cliff Ecosite FOC2-2 Dry-Fresh White Cedar Coniferous Forest (9 communities) FOCM6-3 Dry - Fresh Scotch Pine Naturalized Coniferous Plantation FOD4 Dry-Fresh Deciduous Forest Ecosite FOD4-2 Dry-Fresh White Ash Deciduous Forest FOD4-C Dry-Fresh Black Locust Deciduous Forest FOD5-1 Dry-Fresh Sugar Maple Deciduous Forest FOD5-7 Dry-Fresh Sugar Maple - Black Cherry Deciduous Forest (3 communities) FOD5-8 Dry-Fresh Sugar Maple - White Ash Deciduous Forest (2 communities) FODM5-11 Dry - Fresh Sugar Maple - Hardwood Deciduous Forest

4 4 FOM3-2 Dry-Fresh Hemlock - Sugar Maple Mixed Forest (2 communities) FOM4 Dry - Fresh White Cedar Mixed Forest Ecosite FOM4-2 Dry-Fresh White Cedar - Poplar Mixed Forest FOM4-A Dry-Fresh White Cedar - Hardwood Mixed Forest (4 communities) FOM7-2 Fresh-Moist White Cedar - Hardwood Mixed Forest FOMM10-1 Fresh-Moist Balsam Fir- Hardwood Mixed Forest MAM1 Bedrock Meadow Marsh Ecosite MAM2 Mineral Meadow Marsh Ecosite MAM2-2 Reed-canary Grass Mineral Meadow Marsh MAM3 Organic Meadow Marsh Ecosite MAM3-5 Narrow-leaved Sedge Organic Meadow Marsh Broad-leaved Cattail Mineral Shallow Marsh MAS2-1A (2 communities) Narrow-Leaved Cattail Mineral Shallow Marsh (2 communities) MAS2-1B MAS3-1 Cattail Organic Shallow Marsh MAS3-1A Broad-leaved Cattail Organic Shallow Marsh SWC2-2 Hemlock Mineral Coniferous Swamp SWD4-3 SWD7 Paper Birch - Poplar Mineral Deciduous Swamp (2 communities) Birch - Poplar - Willow Organic Deciduous Swamp Ecosite Birch - Conifer Mineral Mixed Swamp (2 communities) SWM3-1 SWM3-2 Poplar - Conifer Mineral Mixed Swamp SWM6-1 Birch - Conifer Organic Mixed Swamp SWMM5-1 Balsam Fir - Hardwood Mineral Mixed Swamp SWT2-2 Willow Mineral Thicket Swamp SWT2-5 Red-osier Mineral Thicket Swamp (2 communities) CUM1-1 Dry-Moist Old Field Meadow (2 communities) CUW1 Mineral Cultural Woodland Ecosite (2 communities) CUP2-A Restoration Mixed Plantation CUP3-2 White Pine Coniferous Plantation (2 communities) CUP3-8 White Spruce - European Larch Coniferous Plantation (2 communities) * Note: The map reference code refers to the vegetation type shown on mapping for this area and also to the Appendix list of species typically encountered in this vegetation type. Species Presence Vascular Plants Plant species diversity is high in this natural area. A total of 399 vascular plant species are recorded for this area, of which 301 (75%) are native. One of these species, Butternut (Juglans cinerea) is Endangered both nationally and provincially, as well as being provincially rare (S-rank S3?). A Butternut sapling was observed. Thirty-one additional plant species at this site are regionally rare (see Table 4).

5 5 Breeding Birds Breeding bird diversity is high in this area. A total of 81 species were recorded for this area, of which 78 (96%) are native. Seven of these species are believed to be visitors and one additional species is believed to be a migrant. The remaining 73 bird species observed here displayed some level (possible, probable, confirmed) of breeding evidence. Four of the species observed here are Species At Risk. Barn Swallow is Threatened nationally, Bobolink is Threatened nationally and provincially, Eastern Meadowlark is Threatened nationally and one of the visiting bird species, Bald Eagle, is designated Special Concern provincially. Bald Eagle is also provincially rare (S-rank S1S2N, S4B). Another of the visiting bird species, Caspian Tern (S-rank S3B), is provincially rare. This site supports six species of colonial-nesting bird species, namely Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Barn Swallow and Marsh Wren. Wetlands in this area support one species of waterfowl, Mallard and three species of wetland-nesting birds, Common Loon, Virginia Rail and Marsh Wren. Interior forest habitat is present in this natural area, supporting seven species of area-sensitive forest interior birds, namely Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Winter Wren, Veery, Black-and-white Warbler and Ovenbird. This natural area includes a variety of open successional habitats which, along with adjacent cultural meadows and agricultural lands, support eight species of grassland birds, namely Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, Northern Harrier, Savannah Sparrow, Eastern Kingbird, Field Sparrow, Horned Lark and Willow Flycatcher. Some of the open country successional habitats are sufficiently large enough to support area-sensitive grassland bird species, namely Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, Northern Harrier and Savannah Sparrow. The natural area also supports two species of raptors, Northern Harrier and Osprey. Fish Fish biodiversity is high in this area. Twenty-three fish species were recorded, all of which are native. Four additional species exist from earlier (historical) CVC inventories (1971, 1975). The river in this natural area supports coldwater fish communities. Butterflies and Skippers Eighteen species of butterflies/skippers were recorded as incidental observations at this site, of which 16 (89%) are native. One of these species, Monarch, is designated Special Concern both nationally and provincially. The Monarch is also provincially rare (S-rank S2N, S4B). Monarchs feed on Common Milkweed that is very abundant in many of the meadow habitats of this area. Several of these butterfly species are new to Dufferin County which has been sparingly surveyed (Curry, 2008). Dragonflies and Damselflies A total of 15 species of dragonflies/damselflies were recorded as incidental observations at this site, all of which are native. This is one of only three sites during NAI fieldwork where Prince Baskettail (Epitheca princeps) was found, a species that is regionally rare in adjacent Halton Region (Dwyer, 2006). Herpetofauna Nine herpetofaunal species were recorded here as incidental observations, all of which are native. One of these species, Eastern Snapping Turtle, is designated Special Concern both nationally and provincially and is also provincially rare (S-rank S3). Eastern Snapping Turtles are known to breed on site in sandy substrates (C. Cox, pers. Comm., 2010). Midland Painted Turtles, also observed here, are believed to breed in this area as well. The remaining herpetofaunal species observed at this area are: American Toad, Gray Treefrog, Spring Peeper, Green Frog, Northern Leopard Frog, Wood Frog and Eastern Gartersnake. Mammals Ten species of mammals were detected in this natural area as incidental observations, all of which are native and common. A mink was observed.

6 6 Table 3: Designated Species At Risk Scientific name Common name COSEWIC MNR S rank G rank VASCULAR PLANTS Juglans cinerea Butternut END END S3? G4 BIRDS Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald Eagle NAR SC S1S2N, S4B G5 Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow THR S5B G5 Dolichonyx oryzivorus Bobolink THR THR S4B G5 Sturnella magna Eastern Meadowlark THR S5B G5 BUTTERFLIES Danaus plexippus Monarch SC SC S2N, S4B G5 HERPETOFAUNA Chelydra serpentina Eastern Snapping Turtle SC SC S3 G5T5 Table 4: Regionally Rare Vascular Plant Species (Kaiser, 2001) Scientific name Common name S rank G rank VASCULAR PLANTS Agrostis scabra Ticklegrass S5 G5 Anemone cylindrica Long-fruited Anemone S4 G5 Campanula aparinoides Marsh Bellflower S5 G5 Carex cephaloidea Thinleaf Sedge S5 G5 Carex pellita Woolly Sedge S5 G5 Carex sprengelii Longbeak Sedge S5 G5? Ceratophyllum demersum Common Hornwort S5 G5 Equisetum sylvaticum Woodland Horsetail S5 G5 Gaultheria hispidula Creeping Snowberry S5 G5 Glyceria borealis Small Floating Manna-grass S5 G5 Glyceria septentrionalis Floating Manna-grass S4 G5 Juniperus communis var. depressa Dwarf Juniper S5 G5T5 Lactuca biennis Tall Blue Lettuce S5 G5 Lonicera hirsuta Hairy Honeysuckle S5 G4G5 Lonicera oblongifolia Swamp Fly-honeysuckle S4S5 G4 Lycopodium obscurum Tree Clubmoss S4 G5 Monotropa hypopithys American Pinesap S4 G5 Myriophyllum sibiricum Common Water-milfoil S5 G5 Oclemena nemoralis Bog Aster S5 G5 Penstemon digitalis Foxglove Beardtongue S4S5 G5 Polygonum cilinode Fringed Black Bindweed S5 G5 Ranunculus aquatilis var. diffusus White Water Buttercup S5 G5T5 Ribes glandulosum Skunk Currant S5 G5 Ribes hirtellum Smooth Gooseberry S5 G5 Ribes hudsonianum Northern Black Currant S5 G5 Sagittaria rigida Sessile-fruited Arrowhead S4? G5

7 7 Salix serissima Autumn Willow S4 G4 Schoenoplectus acutus Hard-stem Bulrush S5 G5 Solidago uliginosa Bog Goldenrod S5 G4G5 Spiranthes cernua Nodding Ladies'-tresses S5 G5 Stachys palustris Marsh Hedge-nettle SNA G5 Site Condition and Disturbances This natural area has been, and continues to be, disturbed. Forested areas are young to mid-aged and are regenerating from previous logging, grazing and other agricultural uses. Recreational use of the conservation area generates light to moderate disturbance, primarily in communities around the southwest end of the area. Communities at the east end of the lake are relatively inaccessible and are relatively undisturbed. Trails and trampling are moderate. New trail development is ongoing in the conservation area with expansion of the current network to a loop trail around the west end of the lake, crossing the lake via some of the islands. CVC is making a concerted effort to monitor trail use and impact characteristics. Small amounts of litter are associated with trails. Noise from adjacent roads and motor boats is apparent. Exotic species are generally abundant throughout and more common in culturally impacted areas. Notable invasive species include Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) and Glossy Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula). Beaver activity has caused flooding along the watercourse behind Ashwood Drive. Ecological Features and Functions Island Lake is the largest lake in the Credit watershed. Due to its size, it supports large water birds, including some visitors that may nest at some distance but regularly visit the lake to fish. Most of this natural area is part of the Orangeville Reservoir ESA (wetland type) and it includes wetlands that are part of the provincially significant Orangeville Wetland Complex. With forest communities greater than 4 ha, wetlands over 0.5 ha in size and cultural meadow totalling over 10 ha in size, this natural area has the potential to support and sustain biodiversity, healthy ecosystem functions and to provide long-term resilience for the natural system. The riparian areas provide a transitional zone between terrestrial and aquatic habitats, help to maintain the water quality of the streams and river and provide movement corridors for plants and wildlife. By containing a relatively high number of habitat types, this natural area has the potential for high biodiversity function, particularly for species that require more than one habitat type for their life needs. This natural area contains a regionally rare vegetation community and thus has the potential to support additional biodiversity above and beyond that found in common community types. This natural area has linkage along the narrow natural corridor of Monora Creek, with the Monora Park natural area across the busy Hwy. 10. The natural area north of the North Dam extends to Hockley Rd. and connects across the road with extensive natural habitat in the Hockley Valley. This natural area also has good connectivity to the south across two busy roads to extensive wetlands and the Credit River corridor. The relatively close proximity of other areas of natural habitat creates above-average potential for wildlife movement between natural areas, species dispersal and recovery from disturbance, creating additional resilience for the ecosystem.

8 8 The Credit River originates from this area and thus this natural area supports the connectivity function of the Credit River and its tributaries by providing a natural habitat corridor that facilitates the crossregional movement of wildlife along this corridor between major provincial corridors. This natural area contains a regionally rare vegetation community. The area supports seven Species At Risk (one plant species, four bird species including one visitor, one butterfly species, one turtle species). The area also supports five provincially rare species (two visiting bird species, one plant species, one butterfly species, one turtle species) and 31 regionally rare plant species. Interior forest habitat is present in this area, supporting the breeding of seven species of areasensitive forest interior birds. Large cultural meadow habitat patches in this area and with contributions from adjacent agricultural grasslands provide interior grassland habitat. Of the eight species of grassland birds that breed in this area, four species are area-sensitive. This area supports six species of colonial-nesting birds, one waterfowl species, three species of wetland-nesting birds and two raptor species. Wetlands of this area provide amphibian breeding habitat, supporting several frog species. Turtle breeding occurs in this natural area. Based on the above features, this area should be evaluated to determine if significant wildlife habitat is present in accordance with the Provincial Policy Statement, Region of Peel Official Plan, and area municipal Official Plan. Opportunities On the conservation area lands, opportunities exist for public education messaging on ecosystem functioning, issues and stewardship. Further fragmentation of this natural area is discouraged. Existing fragmentation can be countered by restoration efforts, using plantings to re-establish connections between natural habitat patches or by allowing manicured areas to regenerate natural vegetation. Manicuring could be reduced allowing natural vegetation buffers around wetlands and allowing natural linkages to increase in width, thus facilitating improvement of their function. This natural area has eight mature forest communities and they could be checked for old-growth forest characteristics. Some regenerating old fields could be maintained as meadows by periodic (every 3-5 years) mowing, to provide habitat for grassland birds. Mowing should be done after nestlings of grassland birds have fledged. Mapping of the extent of invasive species would help to monitor changes in their distribution and would also be helpful in formulating plans for their control if warranted. Key points for this monitoring are along trails and natural area edges. Mink are present and a search could be conducted to locate any den sites.

9 9 Data gaps exist for butterflies and dragonflies/damselflies, as observations of them were only made on an incidental basis during the breeding bird inventories. Given the number of species found and the variety of habitat types present in this natural area, targeted surveys for these groups would likely be productive. Data gaps also exist for bats and small mammals. Due to the abundance of nesting turtles known in this natural area and due to the natural area s proximity to busy roads, road mortality surveys may be informative in assessing whether turtle populations are being impacted by the roads. Wildlife crossing road signage or other mitigation measures might be considered if road mortality is found to be substantial. Literature Cited Cecile, C. Botanical Inventories For Natural Areas Inventory Project 2008-Credit Valley Conservation. Prepared for Credit Valley Conservation. Credit Valley Conservation Authority. Undated. Island Lake. Available at Last Accessed April 6, Curry, B. Peel Natural Areas Inventory Bird and Faunal Surveys Prepared for Credit Valley Conservation. Dwyer, J. Halton Natural Areas Inventory volumes. Volume 1: Site Summaries. Volume 2: Species Checklists. ISBN , Self-published. Kaiser, J The Vascular Plant Flora of the Region of Peel and the Credit River Watershed. Prepared for: Credit Valley Conservation, the Regional Municipality of Peel, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. Lee, H.T., W.D. Bakowsky, J. Riley, J. Bowles, M. Puddister, P. Uhlig and S. McMurray Ecological Land Classification for Southern Ontario: First Approximation and Its Application. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Southcentral Science Section, Science Development and Transfer Branch. SCSS Field Guide FG-02. McIlveen, B. and I Region of Peel and Region of Halton Flora and Fauna Surveys. Unpublished database. Roberts, S Discover some of our earliest Founding Fathers. Available at Last Accessed 23 December, Town of Orangeville History (of Town). Available at Last Accessed 23 December, 2010.

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