Matchedash Bay facts for kids

Matchedash Bay is a special bay and wetland area located in Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada. It's known as a Ramsar wetland, which means it's recognized internationally for its important natural features. This beautiful bay is the last part of Severn Sound that reaches inland from Lake Huron's Georgian Bay. It sits right where two different land types meet: the Saint Lawrence Lowlands and the Canadian Shield.

Welcome to Matchedash Bay!

Matchedash Bay is a unique place where the rocky Canadian Shield meets the softer limestone of southern Ontario. This creates a mix of different habitats. You can find many types of wetlands here, like swamps, fens, marshes filled with cattails, wet meadows, and even beaver ponds. The area also has freshwater lakes, forests with hardwood trees, farm fields, grassy meadows, and a special forest with evergreen trees in wet areas.

Amazing Animals and Plants

Matchedash Bay is home to a huge variety of living things. Over 550 types of plants grow here. You can also find 34 kinds of fish, 28 types of mammals, and 17 different reptiles and amphibians. In fact, it has one of the largest varieties of reptiles and amphibians in all of Canada!

This bay is also a very important place for birds. About 170 different bird species either nest or breed here. Some of these birds are quite rare in Ontario. Matchedash Bay is also a key stop for birds during their spring and autumn migrations. They use it as a resting and feeding spot on their long journeys.

Water Levels and the Bay

The amount of water in Matchedash Bay changes all the time. This is natural and happens along with the water levels in Lake Huron and the rivers that flow into the bay, like the North River and Coldwater River. These changes in water level are important for keeping the wetland healthy and diverse. They help maintain all the different habitats that make Matchedash Bay so special.

Protecting Matchedash Bay

Organizations like Ducks Unlimited have bought small parts of Matchedash Bay to help protect it forever. For example, they bought about 18 hectares (44 acres) in 1996. However, Matchedash Bay is also a popular spot for fun activities. Many people have cottages here, and there are marinas for boats. As towns grow nearby, there's a worry that this growth could harm the bay and its water quality. Protecting this special place is important for its future.