Keep up to date on our events by following us on Facebook or Instagram.
If you have an idea for a project, please contact us with the location, concern, and any other details,
and we would be happy to look into the inquiry that could turn into a future project!
Overview & Volunteer Form
FOR ALL EVENTS:
*FSRT will provide garbage/recycling/yard waste bags, gloves, shovels, garbage grabbers, and other tool required for the projects but you are welcome to bring your own tools or items.
*Please dress for the weather and the site location, ensuring you have items such as additional layers of clothing, sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.), and are wearing sturdy, close-toed, waterproof footwear. Any additional site-specific attire or tools will be noted in the project descriptions.
*Volunteers are advised to bring a refillable water bottle as the FSRT will have additional water provided.
*During the warmer months, please be mindful to protect yourself against ticks by wearing bug repellent, tucking pants into long socks, and checking your body for ticks after being outdoors.
*Most importantly, tell your family, friends, and neighbours about our events and come out to have some fun in nature while positively contributing to the health of your local environment!
*FSRT will provide garbage/recycling/yard waste bags, gloves, shovels, garbage grabbers, and other tool required for the projects but you are welcome to bring your own tools or items.
*Please dress for the weather and the site location, ensuring you have items such as additional layers of clothing, sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.), and are wearing sturdy, close-toed, waterproof footwear. Any additional site-specific attire or tools will be noted in the project descriptions.
*Volunteers are advised to bring a refillable water bottle as the FSRT will have additional water provided.
*During the warmer months, please be mindful to protect yourself against ticks by wearing bug repellent, tucking pants into long socks, and checking your body for ticks after being outdoors.
*Most importantly, tell your family, friends, and neighbours about our events and come out to have some fun in nature while positively contributing to the health of your local environment!
NOTE: If you would like to sign up, please sign a copy of our liability form and email it to [email protected] with the name of the event or simply bring it to the event! Alternatively, copies of this form will be available and can be filled out at the beginning of the event. Participants under the age of 18 must have the liability form signed by a legal guardian!
| Volunteer Form |
2025 Projects
Stay tuned for a variety of hands-on, eco-action activities you can get involved with.
Project details to be announced soon...
Update March 13, 2025: Hey folks, we've got a full slate of events lined up for spring & fall 2025 that you can help with. There are a few details we're finalizing with the City of Burlington, before we can announce our event line-up. Stay tuned, and thanks for your patience!
Project details to be announced soon...
Update March 13, 2025: Hey folks, we've got a full slate of events lined up for spring & fall 2025 that you can help with. There are a few details we're finalizing with the City of Burlington, before we can announce our event line-up. Stay tuned, and thanks for your patience!
Are you on our volunteer mailing list yet? Sign up here to be notified of upcoming events!
2024 Completed Projects
Sherwood Forest Park Planting | Saturday Sept. 14, 2024 | 9am - 12pm
|
FSRT worked with TD Tree Days to deliver a planting event to enhance the deciduous forested riparian zone surrounding Sheldon Creek at Sherwood Forest Park. We planted various native trees and shrub species along the creek to help support a health canopy cover and to aid in preventing erosion along the banks of the creek. This project also helps to educate trail users and community members on trail usage and best practices to reduce your impact on the environment.
|
|
Sheldon Creek Planting, Clean-up & Erosion Control Project (part 2) - Sept. 7, 2024
FSRT, in partnership with TD and the City of Burlington, planted over 500 native trees and shrubs throughout the creek block and picked up several more bags of litter!
|
Sheldon Creek Planting, Clean-up & Erosion Control Project - June 1, 2024 | 9am-12pm
FSRT, in partnership with the City of Burlington, planted 350 native trees and shrubs throughout the creek block, and picked up several bags of litter!
|
|
2023 Completed Projects
Howard Road Slope Stabilization Part 1 | Nov. 11, 2023 | 12pm - 4pm
Working alongside the City of Burlington to install bank stabilization measures along the banks where overland flow was eroding the land as water flows toward Grindstone Creek. The team installed live fascines to form a small berm to help stabilize the slope. Live fascines are long, cylindrical bundles of woody plant material (usually comprised of native dogwood or willow species) tied together using natural string or twine, and are approximately 3 to 5 feet long and between 4 to 9 inches in diameter. This project included digging shallow trenches, installing fascines, installing coir logs, planting trees and shrubs, and placing a protective barrier around the area to prevent the deer that visit the site from browsing on the plant material.
A big thank you to The City of Burlington for making this project possible and to Dave Scholten of Cottage Country Candies for providing parking for this event!
A big thank you to The City of Burlington for making this project possible and to Dave Scholten of Cottage Country Candies for providing parking for this event!
Sherwood Forest Park Planting | October 14, 2023 | 9am - 12pm
FSRT worked with TD Tree Days to deliver a planting event to enhance the deciduous forested riparian zone surrounding Sheldon Creek at Sherwood Forest Park. This project planted various native trees and shrub species along the creek to help support a healthy canopy cover and to aid in preventing erosion along the banks of the creek. This project also helps to educate trail users and community members on trail usage and best practices to reduce your impact on the environment.
A pre-planting staging day was arranged with a few volunteers on Friday, Oct. 13, to stage the plants for faster planting the next day.
A soil preparation day was held on Sept. 28th. Within the designated planting area displayed by the green shape on the map, the soil had become heavily compacted from high pedestrian traffic. This makes it very difficult to dig holes for planting and negatively impacts soil health. The site preparation activities included hand tilling with rakes and other tilling tools, followed by the application of an even layer of mulch . Water was applied to the site once all the mulch had been applied to the site using buckets and rakes. Finally, we installing some basic signage to help notify pedestrians of the work being completed.
A big THANK YOU to the City of Burlington for providing the mulch for the site preparation of this project!
A pre-planting staging day was arranged with a few volunteers on Friday, Oct. 13, to stage the plants for faster planting the next day.
A soil preparation day was held on Sept. 28th. Within the designated planting area displayed by the green shape on the map, the soil had become heavily compacted from high pedestrian traffic. This makes it very difficult to dig holes for planting and negatively impacts soil health. The site preparation activities included hand tilling with rakes and other tilling tools, followed by the application of an even layer of mulch . Water was applied to the site once all the mulch had been applied to the site using buckets and rakes. Finally, we installing some basic signage to help notify pedestrians of the work being completed.
A big THANK YOU to the City of Burlington for providing the mulch for the site preparation of this project!
|
|
Shoreacres Creek Planting | September 16, 2023 | 9am - 12pm
FSRT worked alongside the Active Community Team (A.C.T.) and TD Tree Days, hosting a litter cleanup and planting event to enhance the riparian buffer zone surrounding Shoreacres Creek and improve the health of the ecosystem while promoting community education. This project included the planting of various native shrub and tree species along both sides of Shoreacres Creek while simultaneously collecting and removing litter from the site.
A pre-planting staging day was held on Friday, Sept. 15 to move the 300 potted trees nearer to their planting location for efficient planting the following day.
A pre-planting staging day was held on Friday, Sept. 15 to move the 300 potted trees nearer to their planting location for efficient planting the following day.
|
|
Appleby Creek Clean-Up & Plant ID with BurlingtonGreen Youth Network | August 31, 2023 | 1pm - 3pm
|
FSRT and the BurlingtonGreen Youth Network undertook a clean-up of Appleby Creek adjacent to Frontenac Park! Tip: download the app "SEEK" by iNaturalist to introduce yourself to some plant identification skills! |
|
Joe Sam's Park Ecosystem Restoration Project | August 26, 2023
In partnership with Conservation Halton, FSRT helped to rehabilitate Grindstone Creek. The project took place at Joe Sam's Park where Conservation Halton and the City of Hamilton have been restoring the property where the land was once used as agricultural lands for cattle production. Cattle production results in various impacts on creek habitats, specifically through the destruction of the banks of the watercourse, often resulting in "online ponds". Online ponds are defined as a pool of water connected to a watercourse. Online ponds negatively impact the health of the cold water course, including Grindstone Creek, by contributing warm water into the watercourse that can have negative impacts on fish populations that depend on cold water course ecosystems.
Some of the tasks included barrier removal, removing woody material from impacting the flow of the creek, and installing bio-engineering techniques to reduce the impact of a few ponds that were negatively impacting health of the watershed. This project required volunteers to wear chest waders (provided).
August 26th from 9:00am to 12:00pm (Rescheduled from July 8th) COMPLETED!
August 2nd from 12:00pm to 4:00pm (Rescheduled from July 13th) COMPLETED!
Some of the tasks included barrier removal, removing woody material from impacting the flow of the creek, and installing bio-engineering techniques to reduce the impact of a few ponds that were negatively impacting health of the watershed. This project required volunteers to wear chest waders (provided).
August 26th from 9:00am to 12:00pm (Rescheduled from July 8th) COMPLETED!
August 2nd from 12:00pm to 4:00pm (Rescheduled from July 13th) COMPLETED!
BurlingtonGreen Youth Network Guest Speaker | August 14, 2023 | 4:30pm - 6:30pm
|
Our FSRT Project Coordinator, Becca, joined the BurlingtonGreen Youth Network for a virtual information session to hear about different career pathways and opportunities for youth with a passion and interest in working in the environmental field! Becca discussed her background, career path, and current position with the FSRT.
|
|
Upper Hager Creek Litter Clean-Up with BARC | August 2, 2023 | 5:30 to 7pm
|
Working alongside the Bay Area Restoration Council, FSRT hosted a litter clean-up event to remove accumulating litter around Upper Hager Creek in Burlington, to prevent garbage such as plastic packaging, food wrappers, cigarette filters and more from entering the local watershed!
|
|
General Brock Park Garlic Mustard Removal | Saturday June 17, 2023 | 9am - 12pm
FSRT partnered with Burlington Green to host an invasive species removal event at General Brock Park, focusing on the removal of Garlic Mustard in the forested area adjacent to the old General Brock Baseball Field. Garlic mustard is a non-native, highly invasive plant species that reduces biodiversity by forming dense patches that out-compete native herbaceous species. A demonstration of proper removal techniques and short presentation of basic health and safety practices was completed at the beginning of the event.
For more information on Garlic Mustard, check out the Invasive Species Centre by clicking HERE.
FSRT partnered with Burlington Green to host an invasive species removal event at General Brock Park, focusing on the removal of Garlic Mustard in the forested area adjacent to the old General Brock Baseball Field. Garlic mustard is a non-native, highly invasive plant species that reduces biodiversity by forming dense patches that out-compete native herbaceous species. A demonstration of proper removal techniques and short presentation of basic health and safety practices was completed at the beginning of the event.
For more information on Garlic Mustard, check out the Invasive Species Centre by clicking HERE.
Annual Earth Day Cleanup at Sheldon Creek | June 10, 2023 | 9am-12pm
Rescheduled from Saturday April 22, 2023
click below to see outcome: www.streamrescue.com/sheldoncreek2022
Some heavy lifting and rough terrain. This event took place throughout the riparian zone of Sheldon Creek, located near Corpus Christi Catholic School. There was a significant amount of waste in the creek and on the floodplains. The event also provided an excellent opportunity for local high school students to learn about and participate in environmental stewardship and accumulate their volunteering hours.
NOTE: Due to the event taking place later in the season than expected, there was no removal of larger debris or other waste from within the creek channel. This is due to restriction windows on "Projects Near Water" for the protection of fish and fish habitat during critical life history stages including spawning and migration. For more information click check out this Government of Canada website HERE.
Rescheduled from Saturday April 22, 2023
click below to see outcome: www.streamrescue.com/sheldoncreek2022
Some heavy lifting and rough terrain. This event took place throughout the riparian zone of Sheldon Creek, located near Corpus Christi Catholic School. There was a significant amount of waste in the creek and on the floodplains. The event also provided an excellent opportunity for local high school students to learn about and participate in environmental stewardship and accumulate their volunteering hours.
NOTE: Due to the event taking place later in the season than expected, there was no removal of larger debris or other waste from within the creek channel. This is due to restriction windows on "Projects Near Water" for the protection of fish and fish habitat during critical life history stages including spawning and migration. For more information click check out this Government of Canada website HERE.
Indian Creek Cleanup
May 13, 2023 | 9am - 12pm
LOCATION: 1059 Plains Rd E, Burlington, ON L7T 4K1
Creek clean-up event on World Migratory Bird Day. The theme for 2023 is 'Water', an important resource and habitat feature that wildlife, such as migratory birds, rely on. The creek clean up event helped to clean up litter from the floodplain, minimize harmful impacts to wildlife, and educate volunteers about environmental stewardship.
May 13, 2023 | 9am - 12pm
LOCATION: 1059 Plains Rd E, Burlington, ON L7T 4K1
Creek clean-up event on World Migratory Bird Day. The theme for 2023 is 'Water', an important resource and habitat feature that wildlife, such as migratory birds, rely on. The creek clean up event helped to clean up litter from the floodplain, minimize harmful impacts to wildlife, and educate volunteers about environmental stewardship.
Kerncliff Park - Annual Clean-Up, April 29, 2023 | 9am - 12pm
|
FSRT resumed annual cleanup efforts in partnership with Friends of Kerncliff to engage the local community in efforts to restore and maintain the natural areas within the park. Regular litter cleanup on trail systems will minimize pollution entering wetlands and forests.
|
2022 Projects
Open to the Public!
Lowville School House - Lowville Park - 6207 Lowville Park Rd, Burlington
We opened our FSRT office and education center Sunday, Oct 2nd, 2022.
COMPLETED!
Mohawk Seedkeepers Tree Planting
September 24th 9AM-noon 1310 Chiefswood Rd
FSRT will be working with TD to deliver a TD Tree Days event. We will be planting over 400 trees at Mohawk Seedkeepers, where Indigenous gardening and seed saving is taught and shared. Bring water and wear close toed shoes. Shovels and gloves are provided but bring your own if you like
|
|
COMPLETED!
Ravine Cleanup with Hamilton Naturalist Club -November 12th 1PM-4PM
761 Hillsdale Avenue
FSRT will be working with the Hamilton Naturalist Club to clean up several waste items from the ravine at the Sheelah Dunn Dooley Nature Sanctuary. We will be using our rope and pulley system to haul debris up out of the creek and the valley bottom. Bring water and wear close toed shoes. There are steep slopes to traverse but also work at the top of the slope
COMPLETED!
Shoreacres Stream Restoration
October 22nd 9AM-noon
252 Goodram Drive
FSRT will be working with TD to deliver a TD Tree Days event. We will be planting 90 native shrubs and trees to replace the canopy lost due to Emerald Ash Borer. We will also be working with A.C.T. (Active Community Teamwork) and community members to install erosion control measures along the creek and cleanup garbage. Bring water, wear closed toed shoes, rubber boots, or hip waders.
|
|
|
Hillsdale Slope Stabilization Project Saturday, Sept 17th | 9am-12pm COMPLETED
This area was previously cleaned up by FSRT on a very steep slope by using a pully system to hand boom debris from the bottom to the top of the slope (past picture to the left.) Now it's time for us, working on site design with the City of Burlington, to use native trees and shrubs to stabilize the slope from further erosion. Ad on Facebook: Facebook |
|
COMPLETED!
Mohawk Seedkeepers Tree Planting - September 24th 9AM @FSRT will be working with TD to deliver a TD Tree Days event. We will be planting over 400 trees at Mohawk Seedkeepers, where Indigenous gardening and seed saving is taught and shared. Bring water and wear close toed shoes. Shovels and gloves are provided but bring your own if you like. |
|
Appleby Creek Headwaters Planting / Bank Stabilization and Clean-up
|
|
|
Sherwood Forest Park (Part 2)
May 21st, 2022 | 9am - 12pm - Completed Part 1 (see below) Come and help FSRT clean-up, plant and remove some invasive species from this beautiful park located in the south/east end of Burlington. All ages event. All Ages Event. Looking for community involvement. Come and join a multi year project to remove invasive species, replant native trees and shrubs and redesign a better forest system. Ongoing information will be gathered and implemented including invasive species coverage, suitable tree planting locations to expand native tree cover and suitable locations for a small mountain bike feature. Meeting spot - Parking lot on Fothergill Dr. |
|
|
Trail Creation/Planting of General Brock Park (Part 2) May 28th | 9am - 12pm - Completed Field and Stream Rescue Team is teaming up with Friends of General Brock Park to help this area become naturalized. This multi year project needs a trail built and some restoration work completed. The area is located just behind the old Gary Allen School. All Ages event. Tools provided but if you have a shovel, rake and/or wheel barrow, all welcome (and bring some friends too) to help us restore this park and forest area. Meet in the back parking area of Gary Allen. |
|
Completed: Burlington Beach Clean-up
April 22nd/23rd/24th, 2022
Sign Up at: https://www.burlingtongreen.org/programs/clean-up-green-up/
Burlington Green’s Cleanup Greenup initiative to direct their own cleanups along Burlington Beach.
Volunteers are encouraged send in photos of their cleanup to: [email protected]
Also, Follow us on social media @FSRT to understand the unique dune ecosystem we have in Burlington, the ongoing restoration efforts and the integral role and functions it performs.
April 22nd/23rd/24th, 2022
Sign Up at: https://www.burlingtongreen.org/programs/clean-up-green-up/
Burlington Green’s Cleanup Greenup initiative to direct their own cleanups along Burlington Beach.
Volunteers are encouraged send in photos of their cleanup to: [email protected]
Also, Follow us on social media @FSRT to understand the unique dune ecosystem we have in Burlington, the ongoing restoration efforts and the integral role and functions it performs.
Completed: Oct 2nd 2021 | 1pm - 4pm
Campbellville Tree and Shrub Planting
It's a Double Header Saturday! Also in partnership with Conservation Halton, we will be planting roughly 200 trees and shrubs on a private property. Gloves will be provided. Bring water, wear sturdy boots or shoes and dress for the weather.
Location is on private property in the village of Campbellville. Address to be provided by email upon sign up.
Campbellville Tree and Shrub Planting
It's a Double Header Saturday! Also in partnership with Conservation Halton, we will be planting roughly 200 trees and shrubs on a private property. Gloves will be provided. Bring water, wear sturdy boots or shoes and dress for the weather.
Location is on private property in the village of Campbellville. Address to be provided by email upon sign up.
Archived Events
July 2021 - Appleby Creek erosion control (part 2) / bank stabilization raparian project
View project success here: www.streamrescue.com/applebycreek2021
View project success here: www.streamrescue.com/applebycreek2021
September 2021 - Sherwood forest project
View project success here: www.streamrescue.com/sherwoodforest2021
View project success here: www.streamrescue.com/sherwoodforest2021
September 2021 - General Brock trail creation / native planting project
View project success here: www.streamrescue.com/generalbrock2022
View project success here: www.streamrescue.com/generalbrock2022
2020 - Due to the pandemic, all projects were postponed to 2021
2019
April 27th 2019 | Indian Creek Clean Up
May 4th 2019 | 14 Mile Creek Clean Up
May 11th 2019 | Kerncliff Park Clean Up and Invasive Removal
May 18th 2019 | Appleby Creek Crib Wall Repairs
June 9th 2019 | 14 Mile Creek Clean Up Part 2
June 15th 2019 | Bronte Creek Family Fun Day
October 5th 2019 | Kerncliff Park Clean Up and Invasive Removal
November 2nd 2019 | Grindstone Creek Dump Site Clean Up
November 18th 2019 | No. 2 Sideroad Cleanup
2018
Saturday November 17th 2018 | Appleby Creek Crib Wall Planting
Saturday November 3rd 2018 | Bridge Removal & Planting
October 6th 2018 | Kerncliff Park Annual Fall Clean Up
Saturday September 29th 2018 | Appleby Creek Crib Wall Installation
September 9th 2018 | Conservation Halton Trees for Watershed Health
May 5th 2018 | Kerncliff Park Annual Spring Clean Up
April 21st 2018 | Shore Acres Creek Earth Day Clean Up
2017
November 19th 2017 | Ancaster Creek Clean Up
November 11th 2017 | Beaty Neighbourhood Park Cleanup
October 21st 2017 | Old Guelph Road Cleanup Part 2
October 7th 2017 | Kerncliff Park Annual Fall Clean Up
October 6th 2017 | Peter's Corner Planting
September 9th 2017 | Courtcliffe Park Planting
June 10th 2017 | Governors Road Tree Planting
May 13th 2017 | Kerncliff Park Clean Up
May 6th 2017 | Beaty Woodlot Cleanup
April 22nd 2017 | Grindstone Creek Cleanup
April 12th 2017 | Bridgeview Park Planting
April 15th 2017 | Sheldon Creek Clean Up