Lennox Thermal GS

About the Program
Eastern Operations’ Lennox Thermal Generating Station is a natural gas-fired station located on over 1,500 acres of land along the north shore of Lake Ontario in eastern Ontario. Since 1982, the team has actively managed the property for wildlife habitat. The team maintains nearly 200 acres of wetland, forest and grassland habitat to provide a safe environment for native bird populations to flourish.  The program works with local organizations, such as Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy of Canada and Lennox and Addington Stewardship Council, to improve habitat for local bird and amphibian species as well as restore and offset loss of wetland, aquatic and upland habitats.

Practices and Impacts

• Since early 1995, the grassland project has grown to include 137 acres of grassland across three plots that include 45 native species like redtop, red-osier dogwood and Kentucky bluegrass. 
• Aligning with regional efforts to protect and expand grasslands, the grassland project has successfully enhanced local plant diversity and promoted habitat for native bird and snake populations.
• Started in early 1982, the site’s wetland project now includes almost 146 acres full of native vegetation like swamp milkweed, water horsetail and Canada rush that provides habitat for local wildlife, such as American toad, Canada goose and great blue heron. 
• The habitat supports diverse bird and amphibian populations, including at-risk species like the black tern and wood thrush. In 2021, 62 bird species were observed. In 2022, six frog species were found, such as northern leopard frog.
• Since early 2003, the project team has worked to support tree swallows and eastern bluebirds. With 35 bird boxes now included in the project and cleaned out annually, the project addresses competition with non-native species for nesting habitat and the local loss of woodland habitat that limits shelter for the targeted cavity-nesting birds.
• Recent monitoring found an increase of tree swallow nests (2021 with 19 nests; 2022 with 23 nests); however, there was just one eastern bluebird nest in 2021.
• Since mid 2003, the team has provided nesting structures, foraging resources, water and shelter for two native raptor species – osprey and peregrine falcon. The project is performing well as it has attracted targeted species in 2021-2022 with pairs successfully reproducing (six peregrine falcon young and four osprey young).