Lay of the Land

The original Dow Wetlands is situated on seven acres of land near LaSalle Road in Sarnia, Ontario. It consists of four ponds with meandering shallow channels and includes two nesting areas, two deep ponds and two shallow ponds. A low bench area includes reeds suitable for duck habitat. Garter snakes populate a snake hibiculareum constructed of stone and wood. Soil berms were constructed to provide shelter and noise control. Sheltered picnic and toilet facilities are available for our human visitors. An expansion of 20 acres is expected to be completed in two phases by 2003.

The Wetlands are adjacent to the Talfourd Creek bed, which is a major wildlife corridor in the Sarnia-Lambton area. The area supports some Carolinian forest-type plant life. The Dow Wetlands act as a continuation of that habitat, using plants that were chosen to attract indigenous animal populations.

In all, the area is home to 15 varieties of native trees and shrubs, including silver maple, black cherry, and trembling aspen trees. Though still in its infancy, The Wetlands provide many beneficial environmental functions. They absorb and filter water by trapping sediment and capturing nutrients, and provide food and shelter for ducks and other wildlife in the area.