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The Grand River watershed has a rich natural heritage. It has rivers, reservoirs, forests, wetlands and grasslands that provide habitat to thousands of species of birds, fish, animals and other creatures. These landscape features are also what make up the watershed's natural heritage system.
The landscape has changed dramatically over the past 200 years. Most of our forests and wetlands have disappeared. The loss of habitat means more species are at risk. Invasive trees, plants and fish have moved in, threatening native species.
However, the GRCA and its partners in the public and private sectors have been working for many decades to protect what remains and restore what has been lost. These efforts are aimed at restoring the natural resiliency of the watershed, improving its biodiversity and providing natural spaces for the enjoyment and benefit of watershed residents.
Natural heritage systems
A natural heritage system is a way of looking at, and understanding, an area's natural features like wetlands, forests, valleys and hills. This is often done by creating a map of all these features. This system can also show how these features are connected to each other, and how they work together. The system can also identify environmentally important and habitat restoration areas.
With numerous stakeholders, the Grand River Conservation Authority has developed a natural heritage system through dividing the Grand River watershed into 11 subwatersheds and characterizing them. For information on each subwatershed's natural heritage characterization, visit our natural heritage system page.
Fisheries management
The Grand River Watershed Fisheries Management Plan provides a blueprint to improve the health of our waterways and restore them as habitat for a wider variety of species.
Trees and forests
Forests and trees are important to watershed health. The GRCA has planted more than 30 million trees since the 1930s. It provides financial support and advice to landowners who want to plant more trees. Learn more on our tree planting page.
The Grand River Watershed Forest Plan supports the growth of a healthy, sustainable watershed forest.
Landscape restoration
Several GRCA programs are geared to restoration of various types of habitat such as wetlands, prairie grassland and healthy forests.
Fighting invasive species
Invasive species have found new homes on the land and in the waters of the Grand River watershed. All landowners can play a role in controlling them.
