Fleming College is working to create and restore approximately 60 hectares of habitat for Kirtland’s Warbler through native seed collection, propagation, site preparation, invasive species management, and restoration planting. The project is focused on establishing diverse, early-successional pine-oak habitat that will support Kirtland’s Warbler and associated native species.

In 2024, the project made strong progress toward its habitat restoration goals. Fleming College staff, students and partners collected and cleaned 90 species of native seeds, totalling approximately 245.75 kg. This included more than 194 kg of tree seed, as well as forbs, graminoids, shrubs and vines. Staff and students also cleaned more than 11.9 kg of forbs, graminoids and shrubs and more than 60 kg of acorns.

The project also began developing methods to propagate native blueberries and Sweet Fern (Comptonia peregrina) for use in future habitat restoration. More than 50 Low Sweet Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) cuttings were collected, along with Sweet Fern and blueberry seeds. While the initial blueberry cuttings were not successfully rooted, the project team plans to continue experimenting with dormant-season cuttings and seed propagation.

A further achievement in 2024 was the preparation of 19 hectares of former agricultural land for habitat restoration. Fleming College worked with a local farmer to plough and pack the site following the corn harvest. Although seeding was postponed due to winter weather and site conditions, the mixed seed has been prepared and stored for broadcast seeding in spring 2025.

The project is also building local expertise and infrastructure for native seed restoration. Two Fleming College staff technologists received hands-on training in seed cleaning and storage techniques through Mary Gartshore Ecological Consulting, helping to build Fleming College’s capacity to undertake seed cleaning closer to the restoration sites and create additional learning opportunities for students.