Bring Nature Back: Mimico Creek Channel Restored as Part of Climate Change Initiative
Oct 21, 2009
On October 22, Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA), along with partners: Region of Peel, City of Brampton, TD Friends of the Environment, and students from local high schools, will celebrate the completion of the Upper Mimico Creek Aquatic Habitat Restoration project. The Upper Mimico Creek is located in a highly urbanized industrial area between Steeles Avenue and Queen St. in the City of Brampton.
Fifty-nine per cent of the Mimico Creek is either lined with concrete or altered through straightening and contains very few trees or shrub species. A portion of the creek contains structures that prevent fish from migrating to traditional spawning areas and the site had poor water quality.
As part of an ongoing effort to revitalize and restore natural eco-systems, TRCA re-naturalized a 2 kilometer stretch of the Mimico Creek. The project enhanced wildlife habitat, restored aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, improved water quality and helped mitigate potential flood events. Over the course of four years and approx. $400,000 investment, more than 580 metres of hard engineered structures were removed and replaced with a natural corridor design, three wetlands were constructed, 900 metres of riparian zone were planted and numerous essential habitat structures were created. The area surrounding the restored creek was planted with a total of 1800 trees and shrubs providing greater habitat cover for bird, mammal and amphibian species within the area.
"Thanks to the support of our partners, and specifically support by the Region of Peel, we are able to continue our ongoing effort to transform our watercourses back to their natural state - for a healthier, more productive eco-system," said Chandra Sharma, Etobicoke Mimico Watershed Specialist, Toronto and Region Conservation.
WHAT: Upper Mimico Creek Aquatic Habitat Opening Ceremony and Tour
WHEN: Thursday, October 22, 2009 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
9:30 am - tour of project site
9:45 am - school buses arrive
10:00 am - schools begin their stations (planting and hikes)
10:15 am - opening ceremony, ceremonial tree planting with VIPs
11:00 am - ceremony over - more technical tour of project will be offered
12:00 pm - schools finish planting and hikes
WHO: Region of Peel, City of Brampton, TD Friends of the Environment, TRCA, Heart Lake Secondary, Marguerite D'Youville Catholic Secondary, Harold M. Brathwaite Secondary, Sandalwood Heights Secondary
WHERE: North side of Intermodal Drive between Airport Road and Goreway Drive. Entrance to the site is just east of the railway tracks. Parking is at the end of the service road.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Rowena Calpito, Supervisor, Media Management, Toronto and Region Conservation
Tel: 416-661-6600 ext 5632, Mobile: 416-358-3446 E-mail: rcalpito@trca.on.ca
