Projects
Phase 1 of the Burlington BlueCreeks project is focused on community awareness and involves four main projects that will be undertaken by the partners along the Grindstone:
- Adopt-a-Creek
- Invasive plant removal
- Expanding Riparian (streamside) buffers
- Turtle tracking
Project 1: Adopt-a-Creek Expansion
Building on its work on the Grindstone tributary ‘E-1’ (which joins the main branch of Grindstone Creek in Hidden Valley Park) with CUMIS, BARC will add a second segment in the lower Grindstone on publicly-accessible property. Volunteers will remove trash from the waterway and undertake water quality tests to understand the health of the watercourse.
Project 2: Expanding Riparian (Streamside) Buffers
Building on the work on Grindstone tributary ‘E-1’, HHWSP will undertake initial riparian buffer expansion in this area through plantings of appropriate native species.
Additional analysis will be conducted to identify other publicly accessible areas that may be in need of riparian buffer enhancement. While improvements on public property are important, HHWSP will also work to identify other opportunities for riparian buffer establishment or improvement, especially where no riparian buffers exist or where a very narrow riparian buffer exists. Creating a buffer is as easy as setting aside a "no mow zone" beside the creek. HHWSP has funding to assist landowners with the cost of plant material to kickstart their riparian buffer. Landowners that the HHWSP has worked with are pleasantly surprised with the richness and life that a buffer brings to a creek. Landowners experience an increased level of enjoyment of their property and take pride in owning a well buffered creek. All landowners play a critical role in improving the health of Grindstone Creek.
Project 3: Invasive Species Removal at the mouth of the Grindstone
RBG’s Carroll's Bay Marsh/Hendrie Valley Sanctuary (the rivermouth marshes and valley at the mouth of Grindstone Creek) protects 110 hectares of land, including 30 hectares of woodlands and 80 hectares of wetlands and several endangered species. The valley is a critical corridor for migratory birds and a remarkable repository of biodiversity and endangered species. Its long term health relies on the Grindstone watershed’s health and the communities' connection to its issues.
Through this project, we will remove large quantities of introduced species from the Sanctuary. High on the list are the common carp, garlic mustard, honeysuckle and buckthorn. Removal of these species will preserve remaining valley biodiversity and reinvigorate the damaged habitats
Project 4: Turtle tracking at the mouth of the Grindstone
The marshes in the Hendrie Valley Sanctuary are the only remaining site in Burlington region for two endangered species – the Northern Map turtle and the Blandings Turtle. There are less than five Blandings turtles in the area.
These two turtles are ideal indicators of watershed health as they live in the waters at the mouth of the watershed, and use adjacent woodlands for nesting. While a combination of watershed issues and introduced species has generally degraded these areas, there may be additional site specific issues contributing to the situation. Radio tracking of individuals over a year will identify specific patterns of movement, priority locations used the by the remaining turtles, and nesting sites. The nests will subsequently be protected from predators. All permits required will be coordinated through the Ministry of Natural Resources which is anticipated to contribute complementary funding.
Portions of the turtles’ marsh habitat are being restored through site specific actions centered on carp exclusion. Within the woodlands non-native shrubs have invaded and now dominate portions of the understory. Their removal, critical to preserving the woodland ecosystem integrity, is a goal of national and provincial biodiversity strategies. Our goal is to ultimately eliminate all invasive shrubs species, (more than 5,000) from the sanctuary using a combination of contract staff and volunteers.
