Steve Brackenridge partnered with Freshwater Conservation Canada to undertake a significant restoration of a section of his property to restore sections of Squirrel Creek and surrounding wetlands.
Last week, Trent and Fleming students in environmental studies were working on a case study in Cavan Monaghan.
Under the supervision of Freshwater Conservation Canada (formerly Trout Unlimited) staff, they were planting tree and shrub sap-lings and installing fixtures designed to alter the flow of water to improve fish habitat and restore wetlands. Working with property owner Steve Brackenridge, the project is designed to restore the health of Squirrel Creek and return are tired cattle pasture to riparian forest and wetlands.
The property is part of a multigenerational farm, and is one of the many ways Brackenridge is carrying on the legacy of his grandfather who understood that to build the resilience of their farm operations, farmers had to work with nature to protect the land. In 2024, Freshwater Conservation Canada (FCC) entered into a partnership with Brackenridge whose property includes a 500 meter section of the creek. The seventeen acre area had previously been used as a cattle pasture, and Brackenridge was interested in rehabilitating the area and sought expert advice to get the job done right.
Project Manager Mike McKenzie explained that the project seeks to improve the creek condition and restore the forest. It is designed to accelerate the area’s return to a natural state of a mixed forest, restore the banks of the creek and reduce the sediment accumulation in the stream to improve its health and enhance the habitat for the wildlife in the area.
Squirrel Creek is a coldwater tributary of the Otonabee River, which is inhabited by Brook Trout, Ontario’s only native, river trout species. Much of Squirrel Creek’s watershed has been logged and converted to cropland and livestock pastures, leading to higher water temperatures, degraded habitat conditions and a reduction in local biodiversity. While the headwaters and lowest sections of Squirrel Creek have gradually been re-treed, there are several middle reaches devoid of trees within the Brackenridge property that continue to send warmer water and excess sediment downriver.
These conditions ultimately reduce the ability of coldwater populations to resist the impact of climate change, and leave them vulnerable to sudden heatwaves or invasions by warm water species. A recent fish survey by Fresh-water Conservation Canada’s local volunteer chapter has already identified aggressive warm water species, such as Largemouth Bass, in these sections of stream. Cooling the stream will remove a temperature barrier that separates the headwaters from the lower sections of the creek that prevents coldwater species from moving through the watershed.
Creek banks that had been damaged by cattle traffic were eroded and collecting mud and sediment. FCC is installing simple water barrier structures to act as sediment traps made largely of dead spruce trees which will trap sediment and narrow the damaged banks. Constricting the width of the creek will help to accelerate the water flow, shore up damaged banks and ultimately raise the surrounding water table. The addition of natural woody debris like tree branches provides protected areas where fish can spawn or hide.
The reforestation work began last fall when the group planted hundreds of Sugar Maple trees, expanding the maple syrup production capacity of the property for future generations. This fall, the group is planting an additional native 5,000 trees and shrubs along the streams and shoulder areas in natural groupings. To avoid the monoculture planting of some of the surrounding woodlots which are dominated by cedars, this planting consists of twenty species, strategically located to provide shade to the stream and to encourage wet meadow and marsh areas. They have been selected based on their ability to adapt to natural disturbances such as spring floods and summer droughts. The trees will also contribute to the removal of carbon from the atmosphere.
Freshwater Conservation Canada is a national leader in freshwater ecosystem conservation and restoration. Pro-gram Manager Mike McKenzie explains “Our Cooling Squirrel Creek project is an excellent example of how rural landowners and conservation organizations partnering together can help to protect and restore our freshwater ecosystems, which also protect our communities from the impact of climate change.”
Through the combination of riparian rehabilitation, in stream restoration and volunteer workdays, this project provides a variety of environ-mental and community benefits. In addition to improving the habitat conditions in Squirrel Creek for coldwater species and improving the ecosystem of the surrounding area, it also provides an educational opportunity to Fleming College and Trent University environmental studies students to apply their skills in a hands-on project with lasting potential benefits.
For more information about getting involved in conservation projects or to volunteer with the Millbrook FCC Chapter, contact Jim Slavinat 705-932-0874 or email jslavin@nexicom.net.