Earlier this year, our Building Better Buffers blog shared the importance of streamside vegetation. Hamilton Watershed Stewardship Program (HWSP) staff have also been bringing this important message to landowners in the Spencer Creek watershed, to make new connections and enact positive change on the landscape.
An on-the-ground approach was taken, with staff going door to door and visiting property owners where Fletcher Creek (a subwatershed of Spencer Creek) occurred on their property.
We are happy to say that some meaningful connections with landowners were made, and may even result in future improvements to water quality and habitat in Fletcher Creek and the greater Spencer Creek watershed as a whole! Site visits have been booked and plans to develop stream enhancement projects are underway. HWSP thanks these property owners for their warm welcome and time.
HWSP is always looking for new ways to engage with landowners, raise awareness about the services and grants the program provides, and assist through the Building Better Buffers initiative.
Presentation and Planting
Participants were able to learn more about our efforts through an on-site presentation and planting on October 25 in the Fletcher Creek subwatershed, at a Landowner Steward property aptly named “Heritage Farm”. This farmer has been a Watershed Steward since the 1990s, and previously installed fencing to keep livestock away from the creek and redirected runoff from the barns.
After learning from stewardship and ecology staff about the property’s backstory and how buffers would further benefit the stream, participants contributed to the installation of 187 trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. This additional planting along the watercourse has created a 20-metre vegetated buffer, which will further protect water quality and connect streamside habitats for wildlife.
Get in Touch
If you are a landowner interested in learning more about what you can do for the stream on your property, we’re always happy to chat! Please feel free to reach out to us:
Jeff Stock
Watershed Stewardship Technician
Phone: 905-525-2181, ext. 196
Email: jstock@conservationhamilton.ca
Cherish Gamble
Watershed Stewardship Technician
Phone: 905-525-2181, ext. 181
Email: cgamble@conservationhamilton.ca
