Conservation

Established in 1904, Thousand Islands National Park protects over 20 islands and several mainland properties along the St. Lawrence River. Located within the unique topography of the Frontenac Arch and transitional zone between boreal and deciduous forests that link the Canadian Shield to the Adirondack Mountains, Thousand Islands National Park helps support one of the highest biodiversity’s in Canada and a high number of species at risk. 

Thousand Islands National Park assesses the health of the park ecosystems through its ecological integrity monitoring program which serves as a guide for planning and measuring success of conservation and restoration actions. The ecological integrity monitoring program at Thousand Islands National Park assesses the long-term health of the park by monitoring and reporting on fifteen ecological measures within significant ecosystems at the park: forests, freshwater, and wetlands. Through projects like prescribed fires, invasive species removals, a reptile and amphibian recovery program, hyperabundant species management, and native species plantings, Thousand Islands National Park and its partners are continuing to take steps to maintain and improve the health of these important ecosystems.

Learn more about how the park is monitoring, conserving, and restoring this outstanding and important Canadian landscape. For more detailed information on the conservation projects in the park, please contact us at pnmille-iles-thousandislandsnp@pc.gc.ca or telephone (613) 923-5261.

Ecological Indicators

The health of the park’s natural environment is measured by evaluating the condition of three major ecosystems (forests, wetlands and freshwater).  Each ecosystem is assessed using five parameters.

Forests:

• Seedling regeneration
• Tree health
• Downed woody debris
• Forest habitat change
• Forest bird richness

Wetlands:

• Frogs and toads
• Marsh birds
• Wetland water quality
• Invasive alien plants
• Landscape scale habitat change

Freshwater:

• Benthic invertebrate richness
• Benthic invertebrate stress
• Stream water quality
• Stream water temperature
• Riparian zone integrity