Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) is pleased to announce that the Hamilton Harbour Watershed Stewardship Project (HHWSP) has secured new federal funding from the Canada Water Agency under the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative. The $228,000 in funding over three years will support ongoing efforts to enhance water quality and restore aquatic and terrestrial habitats within the Hamilton Harbour watershed.
This funding will enable the HHWSP to deliver targeted outreach, education, and restoration efforts to engage landowners and communities in sustainable land use and conservation practices.
“This funding is essential,” said Scott Peck, Deputy CAO & Director of Watershed Management Services for HCA. “It allows us and our partners to take direct, meaningful action to improve water quality and restore natural areas in the Hamilton Harbour watershed.”
The HHWSP will continue collaborating with landowners, community groups, and partner agencies to promote sustainable land use and achieve tangible, local improvements. This includes working directly with landowners to complete water quality and habitat projects that reduce nutrients, sediment, and stormwater runoff into the Hamilton Harbour Area of Concern. These initiatives also include habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, and low-impact development projects, all supporting the goal of reducing pollutants entering local creeks that ultimately flow into Hamilton Harbour.
About the Project
Founded in 1994, the Hamilton Harbour Watershed Stewardship Project (HHWSP) supports the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan by helping improve water quality and restore natural habitats. It plays a vital role in addressing issues like algae overgrowth and the loss of fish and wildlife habitat in the area.
Launched initially as a collaboration between Hamilton Conservation Authority, Conservation Halton, and the Bay Area Restoration Council (BARC), the HHWSP remains a strong partnership between Hamilton Conservation Authority and Conservation Halton today. The program continues to deliver real results through:
- Landowner Outreach: 20–30 site visits annually to promote best management practices
- Education and Engagement: 10–15 annual workshops and volunteer events
- Habitat and Water Quality Improvement Projects: ~10 projects per year addressing riparian buffers, stormwater, and erosion
Expected Outcomes (2025–2028)
- Restoration of 1,500 metres of riparian habitat
- 2 hectares of wetland, 3 hectares of forest, and 1 hectare of meadow restored
- 500,000 litres of stormwater diverted or infiltrated
Recent Achievements (2022–2025)
In the previous three-year cycle, HHWSP completed:
- 66 habitat and water quality projects
- 10 Low Impact Development (LID) projects
- Restored or enhanced 16.3 hectares of meadow, 11.3 hectares of forest, 9.4 hectares of wetland, and 680 metres of riparian corridor
- Engaged over 6,300 residents through 33 workshops and 70 volunteer events
- Produced 10 stewardship videos and delivered four landowner mailings
- Diverted an estimated 1 million litres of stormwater annually through LID initiatives
These efforts leveraged over $290,000 in cash contributions and nearly 3,000 volunteer and landowner in-kind support hours.
A Lasting Legacy
The HHWSP has been active for over 30 years, guiding more than 4,000 landowners in voluntary conservation actions. The project continues to build on this legacy by supporting grassroots environmental action and contributing meaningfully to the protection of Hamilton Harbour.
