Pelham Cares: Celebrating New Trees and Restored Ecosystems Along 12 Mile Creek

Thirty-three new trees and hundreds of native shrubs now line 12 Mile Creek beside the Pelham Cares building, creating a revitalized green space in Pelham! This week’s ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the completion of a collaborative restoration project led by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) and the Niagara Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC). “We feel fortunate to benefit from being near this beautiful green space in Pelham,” shared Pelham Cares via Facebook.

Protecting Pelham’s Unique Ecosystem

This initiative, launched in September, focused on remediating a heavily eroded section of 12 Mile Creek near Highway 20. The creek’s headwaters, which originate in Fonthill, supply cold groundwater that is essential for native Brook Trout, a species that thrives in clean, cool water. However, rapid urbanization and erosion have threatened this delicate ecosystem.

Restoration Efforts: Slowing Erosion and Supporting Wildlife

The project included filling a 115-meter eroded stretch, re-grading the creek, and adding rock riffles and pools. These features will help slow water flow, reduce erosion, and provide refuge for native wildlife, especially the Brook Trout. The restoration’s impact extends downstream, enhancing habitat conditions over several kilometres.

Commitment to Reforestation and Sustainability

Though a few trees were removed to facilitate the project, the NPCA and TUC made sure to replant and revitalize the area with 33 new native trees like red oaks, sugar maples, and basswoods, along with 260 native shrubs. These plantings are designed to strengthen the creek banks and support local wildlife, ensuring a sustainable and thriving ecosystem.

This restoration was made possible by the Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund, with additional support from Trout Unlimited Canada, the Town of Pelham, and the Niagara Region. Donations from Walker Industries and Lafarge Canada Inc. provided essential resources.

For more details, visit https://npca.ca/newsroom/article/restoring-12-mile-creek-pelham