Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) is pleased to announce funding of $1,250,000 towards the cost of the 50-acre parcel of land that HCA acquired in July 2022 that forms part of the Devil’s Punchbowl Conservation Area. This funding supports the acquisition and was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada through the federal Department of Environment and Climate Change.
The acquisition secures the lands required for the third of four wetlands as part of the Saltfleet Conservation Area wetland restoration program. The design is currently being completed for this wetland area.
“The wetlands will serve to reduce the impacts of flooding and erosion below the Niagara Escarpment in Stoney Creek and further the long-term vision of the entire Saltfleet Conservation Area, which will provide new natural areas and associated habitat, and trails connecting these natural areas,” said Scott Peck, Deputy CAO/Director of Watershed Management Services. “We are grateful to have the support of the federal Department of Environment and Climate Change towards this outcome.”
The first wetland was completed in September 2022, and once all four wetlands are built in the coming years, the area will have the ability to hold the equivalent of more than 200 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
As the additional Saltfleet Conservation Area wetlands are developed, the areas naturalized, and the conservation area masterplan completed, trails and interpretive signage will be added to enhance public access, nature appreciation and educational opportunities.
