Trout Unlimited Canada Launches a Two-Year Project to Improve Bronte Creek
Burlington, Ontario - Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC), in partnership with Conservation Halton and the City of Burlington, is pleased to announce a major conservation project on Bronte Creek in Lowville Park. Major funding for this project was made possible by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Government of Ontario. In December of 2008, TUC received a grant for $126,000 to kick start the program to conserve and rehabilitate clean, cold water for the betterment of the watershed and those who live within it.
“Bronte Creek has a fever,” says TUC national biologist Jack Imhof. “The stream throughout its watershed warms too much as a result of historical and present practices. Warmer temperatures, resulting from habitat alteration and loss along the stream and its corridor results in poorer water quality and ultimately a poorer living environment for aquatic life and a poorer quality of life for those that live within its watershed and along its banks.” |
The Ted Knott Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada is focused on protecting the
cold water creeks within Hamilton
Wentworth and Halton
regions flowing into Burlington Bay and Lake Ontario.
We are part of a national organization who's mission is to conserve, protect and
restore Canada's freshwater ecosystems and coldwater resources for current and
future generations.
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This two-year project is the start of a larger five year program; the Bronte Creek Watershed Renewal Program’s mandate is to engage landowners and the community to restore the overall health of Bronte Creek's watershed. The focus will be on its stream corridor by increasing awareness through education and community stewardship. TUC with Conservation Halton, through their Hamilton-Halton Watershed Stewardship Program (HHWSP), and the City of Burlington will be engaging local residents and landowners in a process to help conserve and renew the health of their local watershed: for their benefit, for the benefit of their children, and the benefit to the natural environment.
"Bronte Creek's traverse of Lowville Park has long been a place where people of all ages can engage with stream life," said Ted Chudleigh, MPP Halton. "This project will enhance that experience and at the same time help improve the stream environment so the experience of past generations can be enjoyed by future fathers, mothers and their children."
Since 1994, The HHWSP’s purpose is to protect, enhance and restore environmentally significant natural areas and watercourses in the watersheds of Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) and Conservation Halton through developing an educated, empowered group of landowners.
“Conservation Halton is pleased to be involved in such a significant creek restoration project in partnership with Trout Unlimited and the City of Burlington,” said Conservation Halton Chair Brian Penman. “This project builds on the success of our stewardship program. Stewardship staff have visited with hundreds of landowners in the Bronte Creek Watershed encouraging protection and enhancement of forest, wetland, meadow, in-stream and streamside habitat. To date, over 70 landowners in the Bronte Creek Watershed, have been recognized as Watershed Stewards for protecting the natural environment on their land.”
As one of the most affected regions on Bronte Creek, the City of Burlington has been proactive in aiding TUC and Conservation Halton in their approach to improve water quality for all the residents of the Bronte Creek watershed. TUC’s mission is to conserve, protect and restore Canada’s freshwater ecosystems and their coldwater resources for current and future generations.
“Burlington’s commitment to being a clean, green and environmentally-healthy city is enshrined in our strategic plan and the Bronte Creek renewal project is a significant initiative in achieving our goal; we will continue to work with our partners in conservation to restore this significant watercourse to its natural state,” said Burlington Mayor Cam Jackson.
For 25 years, the Ontario Trillium Foundation has supported the growth and vitality of communities across the province. It continues to strengthen the capacity of the volunteer sector through investments in community-based initiatives and has become one of the largest grant-making organizations in Canada. For more information, please visit
www.trilliumfoundation.org. |
| Our chapter encompasses some of the most heavily populated and industrialized
areas of Canada. The enormous challenge this creates for our freshwater resource
requires us to not only conserve and protect this resource, but to become very
proactive in the restoration of degraded habitat. We embrace the Halton and
Hamilton Wentworth regions, as well as the ongoing project in Haldimand County. |
- Our Chapter Name
- The Hamilton Chapter was named after long time supporter Ted Knott. Click
here for more information and to view photos of Ted and his bamboo
rods.
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- Hamilton Wentworth and
Halton Regions
- The watersheds in the Hamilton
Wentworth and Halton Regions include a number of cold water creeks flowing from the
scenic Niagara Escarpment through Hamilton, Burlington
and Oakville. Learn more about the Hamilton
Wentworth and Halton regions.
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Trout
Unlimited Canada
