Historic donation set to help restore wetlands in Stoney Creek and build education hub

The project has been underway since 2011

The Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) is set to build an education hub and advance its plans to restore wetlands in Stoney Creek with the help of a historic gift.

HCA recieved a $6 million donation from the Heritage Green Community Trust that will support restoring the Saltfleet Conservation Area wetlands. The conservation authority said it's the biggest gift in the organization's history.

The project has been in the works since 2011 and includes plans to build a total of four wetlands. Progress has already been made, with two of those wetlands now completed. The gift will go towards building a third.

In a media release, the conservation authority said the project "will help reduce the risk of downstream flooding and erosion, improve water quality, create habitat for wildlife, and provide expanded trails and outdoor recreation opportunities for the community."

The HCA said wildlife like frogs, toads and waterfowl as well as native plants are beginning to return to the area.

Margaret Reid, chair of the Heritage Green Community Trust, said the trust has supported the project for its "long-term and environmental community impact."

“This is a legacy project that will benefit Hamilton residents and the environment for generations to come," said Reid in a statement.

Education hub to replace former market

The gift will also fund the redevelopment a former market building into a "visitor and environmental education hub."

The building will have an education space, interpretive displays and office space. Preliminary site work is set to begin in 2027, according to HCA.

In a 2024 interview, HCA director of watershed management Scott Peck said the Saltfleet lands may have had wetlands at one point, but for the most part, the goal here is to design new ones that don't require ongoing maintenance.

"My hope has always been with the project that maybe in 30 or 40 years, someone might be able to fly over it and say 'Hey, look at that beautiful wetland,'" Peck said then.

According to the HCA website, the project is set to be completed by 2030.

Aura Carreño Rosas is a reporter at CBC Hamilton. She's originally from Venezuela. She has extensive experience in covering stories about immigrants and migrant workers as well as interesting people with diverse journeys. You can contact her at aura.carreno.rosas@cbc.ca

With files from Justin Chandler