The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) is pleased to announce the completion of a restoration project designed to enhance wildlife habitat and ecological diversity at Binbrook Conservation Area.
The collaborative efforts of many partners and hundreds of volunteers resulted in the planting of 2,360 native trees and 3,215 native shrubs that will help re-naturalize 40 acres of land. This parcel of land was acquired by the NPCA in 2019, with financial support from the City of Hamilton through their land acquisition funding.
“We are grateful for the support and commitment of our partners and volunteers throughout these last 12 months. The restoration plan for this property was certainly ambitious and its success comes at no surprise given the exceptional work and passion of those involved,” says Brenda Johnson, NPCA Board Chair. “Research has shown that this watershed is highly degraded, while the demand for greenspaces in our communities continues to increase. It is evident that restoring nature is one of the most important endeavours of our time as we must preserve the sheer natural beauty of these lands.”
This project was made possible by partners like Ontario Power Generation (OPG), with whom the NPCA has been working since 2007 to implement projects which serve to advance the health and scientific understanding of the Welland River watershed. Their contribution to this restoration project further demonstrates OPG’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
The NPCA is proud to work alongside partners whose passion for the environment is at the heart of everything they do. For the last 30 years, the Glanbrook Conservation Committee (GCC) has supported the work of the NPCA by assisting with water quality and wildlife habitat improvement in and around the shores of Lake Niapenco. In addition to activities such as building and maintaining hiking trails, assisting with fish surveys and purple loosestrife removal, a large aquatic planting program, and an extensive tree planting program, GCC was instrumental to the success of this most recent project, leading its conservation efforts and contributing more than 538 on-site volunteer hours.
“Members of the Glanbrook Conservation Committee are proud to have quarterbacked this project, from its preliminary discussions to the various tree plantings that took place this year, and moving forward, the ongoing oversight of this property for years to come,” adds Brett Harrington, President of GCC. “Founding member, Andy Fevez, lobbied for this property and funds more than twenty years ago, and we are thrilled to see these years of work come to fruition. We thank the NPCA, and the numerous partners involved who helped make this possible.”
From flagging planting sites, digging holes, and laying out trees, to preparing lunches, driving tractors of mulch, and planting trees into wet clay for countless of hours, every element of this project was equally important.
“We are humbled by the labour of love that was seen through this entire project, as so many partners in conservation came together with a shared vision for the property,” adds Kerry Royer, NPCA Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator. “More than 150 incredible volunteers contributed close to 1,000 hours of valuable time to what will grow into a beautiful natural area for generations to come.”
The NPCA recognizes and celebrates the following groups and volunteers:
- Earth Day Hamilton Burlington— volunteered and received a $7,500 grant for the purchase of trees and tree guards from TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.
- Rotaract Clubs of Niagara, Hamilton and University of Buffalo and Rotary Clubs of St. Catharines, Fonthill and Grimsby— volunteered and donated $2,000 to purchase trees.
- Aviva Insurance— Employees volunteered through the AvivaGives Back Program.
- Scouts Canada — 1st Winona, 401st Toronto and 20th Faith. Volunteers included Cubs, Scouts, and Venturers.
- Niagara College Students— volunteered from the Ecosystem Restoration Program.
- Blessed Trinity Catholic Secondary School— student and teacher volunteers.
- Hamilton Airport— Staff volunteered and donated 30 large trees.
- Trees for Hamilton Group— Volunteered to plant trees.
- Members of the watershed community — Individual volunteers contributed their time.
This restoration project will increase and enhance wildlife habitat for area species, while maintaining biodiversity with a representation of a variety of ecologically vegetative communities across NPCA Conservation Areas.
The native species planted this year included basswood, white pine, hop hornbeam, black cherry, shagbark hickory, red osier dogwood, chokecherry, and a variety of maples and oaks suitable for the site. The diversity of native trees and shrubs will help improve water quality, and provide food and habitat for a significant number of species from all parts of the food web, including insects, birds, and mammals.
The NPCA, GCC, partners and volunteers have great plans for this property and encourage all to stay tuned. For more information about the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, visit www.npca.ca. Follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more updates.
—30—
About NPCA:
The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) is a community-based natural resource management agency that works to protect, enhance, and sustain healthy watersheds. With 61 years of experience, the NPCA offers watershed programs and services that focus on flood and hazard management, source water protection, species protection, ecosystem restoration, community stewardship, and land management.
The NPCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities in the Province of Ontario and manages 41 Conservation Areas within the Niagara Peninsula watershed held in public trust for recreation, heritage preservation, conservation, and education. These natural and shared greenspaces marry nature, culture, and adventure to create limitless opportunities for discovery.
Questions related to the above release should be directed to:
Rebecca Hull, Manager of Public Relations
rhull@npca.ca