Grassland Management
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The Value of Grasslands
At Hullett Marsh, we carefully manage native grasslands to provide a unique home for wildlife. Unlike regular lawn grass, native grasses grow in tall, sturdy clumps. This creates a "hidden highway" where small animals like ducklings, sparrows, mice, and pheasants can travel safely under a thick roof of protection while finding plenty of food on the open ground below. These plants act as a natural filtration system for our landscape; their roots grow meters deep into the earth to protect our water quality and keep the soil healthy. Because they have very stiff stems, they often stay standing all winter long, giving birds and animals a warm place to hide and a steady supply of seeds even during heavy snow.
An ongoing stewardship story
This work began in 1999 with 28 acres planted by Ducks Unlimited. Over the years, we have learned that these fields need active care to stay healthy. We use mowing to control invasive weeds and prescribed burning to clear away old, dead grass. Fire is a vital tool that recycles nutrients into the soil and helps native seeds sprout, preventing the fields from becoming choked with debris. We even pioneered a "working landscape" between 2011 and 2015, where local farmers harvested the grass for fuel and bedding to help fund our conservation efforts.
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Today, our work continues to evolve. In 2025, we are actively working with Ontario Nativescapes, who—through funding from Wildlife Habitat Canada—are helping us revitalize grasslands that have become overrun by Big Bluestem. A major part of this future vision is the restoration of the 8-acre area near the 1-20 parking lot into a vibrant pollinator sanctuary. This area will become a new community hub, featuring accessible trails and educational signs where you can explore and see firsthand how we protect Ontario’s beautiful native grasslands.