Field and Stream Rescue Team
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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 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!  Volunteers under 14 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.
Volunteer Form
File Size: 136 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


2025 Projects
Hey everyone, our spring events are now completed.  Our activities typically slow down for the summer months, and we aim to hold some more events in the fall that you can help us with.  Ensure you are on our volunteer mailing list to be notified of any events that come up during the summer and fall.  Have a great summer!


​​Completed: Appleby Cr. Clean-up @ New St., Sat., May 17, 2025 | 9am - 12pm

On Sat., May 17th (long weekend), we're looking for a few litter warriors to join us for a clean-up of this section of Appleby Creek in Burlington that is a big trap for wind-blown litter from the nearby plaza and neighbourhoods.  The creek is accessed via the parking lot of Pineland Baptist Church, which has given us permission to use part of their lot. Please note that this area is a little more challenging terrain, in that there is a step down to get to the work area, and the litter is amongst trees and will need to be collected with a litter grabber (we have 12 available).

Come help us collect all the litter before it breaks down into microplastics and enters the soil and waterway. There is an estimated 8 bags of litter.

Parking and Check-in:  Enter the front parking lot of Pineland Baptist Church, 5100 New St., Burlington, and park at the far east end by the creek (see map).  Look for the FSRT check-in area nearby.  An FSRT A-frame sign will also be displayed.

Terrain:  Moderately sloped creek bank (about 25 degrees).  We will be working in a heavily treed area that will require litter grabber tools (12 provided).  There is a step down to get to the work area.  While not overly difficult, it requires a bit of agility and may not be suitable for someone looking for a nice, flat, open space to work.

What to bring:
  • Dress suitably for the weather.  Sturdy footwear (eg. hiking boots), long pants and jacket that you don't mind if gets a bit dirty (long pants and shirts will also help protect against the possibility of ticks).
  • Hat and sunscreen.
  • Re-usable water bottle
  • Litter grabber tool if have (we have 12 to lend out)
  • Safety glasses if have, to protect eyes from branches (we have about 10 pairs to lend out).
  • Signed FSRT waiver, including guardian signature if under 18. (We will also have blank waivers onsite.)
  • Student volunteer form if collecting hours.

  • We will provide gloves, but you are welcome to bring your own if want.
  • We will provide garbage bags and light snacks.
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Register Here to let us know you'll be coming!

​​Completed: Sheldon Cr. Clean-up (Appleby@Dundas), Part 2: Sat., May 10, 2025 | 9am - 12pm

On May 4th, we completed half of this area and collected 12 full bags of litter! There's still a lot more to do, so we're going back Sat. May 10th.  We're looking for some volunteers to join us at this litter clean-up along the ditch on the east side of Appleby Line,  just north of Dundas St., in the Alton community of Burlington.  This area is a big litter trap for blown debris from the surrounding plazas.  This area hasn't been cleaned in quite a while.  The work area is a safe distance away from the road.

The ditch contains a stream which forms part of the headwaters of Sheldon Creek, which flows down through the east end of Burlington to Lake Ontario.  Come help us collect all the litter before it breaks down into microplastics and enters the soil and waterway.

Parking and Check-in:  Enter the plaza off of Appleby Line near the Shopper's Drug Mart, and turn left to park, as shown by the blue area on the map (Google Maps link here).  Look for the FSRT check-in area nearby.  An FSRT A-frame sign will also point the way.

Terrain:  Moderately sloped grassy ditch.  Some shrubs and reeds to work around.  Small stream at the bottom of ditch.  Work area is bounded by the sidewalk.

What to bring:
  • Dress suitably for the weather.  Sturdy footwear (eg. hiking boots), long pants and jacket that you don't mind if gets a bit dirty (long pants and shirts will also help protect against the possibility of ticks).
  • Hat and sunscreen.
  • Re-usable water bottle
  • Litter grabber tool if have (we have 12 to lend out)
  • Safety glasses if have, to protect eyes from branches (we have about 10 pairs to lend out).
  • Signed FSRT waiver, including guardian signature if under 18. (We will also have blank waivers onsite.)
  • Student volunteer form if collecting hours.

  • We will provide gloves, but you are welcome to bring your own if want.
  • We will provide garbage bags and light snacks.
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​Completed: Kerncliff Park Earth Week Clean-Up, April 26, 2025 | 9am - 12pm

In honour of the Friends of Kerncliff Park's past efforts, led by Guy Granka, to beautify and maintain this special park, Field and Stream Rescue Team was proud to continue the tradition of the annual Spring Kerncliff Clean-up during Earth Week on Saturday, April 26! 

Results:  3 full bags of garbage.  We also pulled a bit of invasive Burdock and Buckthorn that had popped up, to maintain a few areas we had previously pulled a lot of these plants around 2018.

Thanks to everyone who came out to help maintain this unique park and important wildlife habitat.

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Completed: Sheldon Cr. Cleanup at Millcroft Shopping Centre | Sun., April 20, 2025 | 9am - 12pm

FSRT volunteers cleaned up litter at a short, but filthy section of Sheldon Creek, at the far north end of the Millcroft Shopping Centre (Appleby Line & Upper Middle, in Burlington).  This was a clean-up put together on short notice for Easter Sunday.   It was mostly small to medium size litter in the shrubs by the creek, plus a few larger items.  The area hadn't been cleaned in several years.

Results:  9 full bags of litter, 1 full bag of clean recyclables, 1 bike frame (donated to a non-profit), 1 shopping cart in the creek, 1 area rug in the creek, 1 large suitcase in the creek, a bit of scrap metal and scrap wood.

Thanks to all who came out on short notice (a few not pictured).  The area looks waayyy better and we're glad we were able to get all those plastic bags and plastic debris that was starting to disintegrate, before it found its way into the creek as microplastics.

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Completed: Alton Ponds Litter Cleanup | Sat., April 12, 2025 | 9am - 12pm
(Rescheduled from Apr. 5 due to weather)

FSRT volunteers cleaned up litter, mostly small to medium size, in the area around this reservoir (aka "Duck Pond") just west of the Walmart at Appleby Line & Dundas St. in Burlington.

Results:  15 full bags of litter, 3 chairs, some lumber and scrap metal, 1 large battery, 2 fishing lures.  This Included lots of small plastic debris, like bottle caps, styrofoam bits, vape cartridges, plastic straws, Nerf blaster darts. 

Some of this was litter/dumping.  Other was wind-blown debris from neighbourhoods and local plazas.  When people put garbage or blue bins out on windy nights without securing them down, the debris often blows into our greenspaces.  When people erroneously put styrofoam in the blue bin instead of in a weighted down garbage bag, it can blow out onto the road, get run over by 100 cars and the bits wash down into our waterways. Small plastic debris on our roads such as bottle caps, vape cartridges, cigarette butts, runs down storm drains during a rain and accumulates by the 1000s at our local stormwater ponds and creeks.

This reservoir forms part of the headwaters of Sheldon Creek, which flows down through the east end of Burlington into Lake Ontario, and also hosts a variety of waterfowl, including Burlington's official City Bird -- the Trumpeter Swan.
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More 2025 projects to be announced soon...
 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.
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Sheldon Creek Planting, Clean-up & Erosion Control Project (part 2) - Sept. 7, 2024

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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!
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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!
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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.
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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

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​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.  W
ithin 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

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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.



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 F
rontenac  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

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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!


​BurlingtonGreen Youth Network Guest Speaker | Aug. 14, 2023

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!

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​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.


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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.


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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.



​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

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We opened our FSRT office and education center Sunday, Oct 2nd, 2022. 
I'd like to learn more or book a visit!

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
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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.
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​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.

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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.
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Appleby Creek Headwaters Planting / Bank Stabilization and Clean-up
Walkers Industries - Private Event - Completed

Date: Tuesday May 10th 9am-12
Background
Appleby Creek is one of Burlington main creeks that
flow into Lake Ontario. These watercourses are
important as they carry stormwater runoff through
the city and end up in our drinking water. It’s
extremely important to keep these areas healthy
and stable.

Action Items and Goal
We will be planting native trees and shrubs along
both sides of the creek to enhance wildlife habitat
and shade the stream which in turn cools the
water keeping bacteria levels low. The trees and
shrubs are an excellent source of food for birds
and butterflies and great pollinators, they also
keep a larger buffer from the mowed area to aid in
catching runoff sediment.
We will also be planting some small shrubs along
the bank to contain further erosion and stabilize
the banks.
Project Details
We will be planting a mixture of 100 native trees and shrubs throughout the creek banks and
over 50 native plants shrubs along the bank to root and protect from further erosion. We will also
be doing a general garbage clean-up.
FSRT will have most tools and supplies but if you have a favorite shovel please bring. We also
encourage you to bring your own gloves and proper footwear.
We will also be installing a sign at this site with Walker Industries logo and will survey this site
over the coming years to watch it’s success.
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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.  
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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.   

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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.


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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. 


Archived Events

July 2021 - Appleby Creek erosion control (part 2) / bank stabilization raparian project
View project success here: www.streamrescue.com/applebycreek2021
September 2021 - Sherwood forest project
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

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

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We are a Canadian registered charity: # 88090 3919 RR0001
We respectfully acknowledge that our work takes place on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
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