Growing with Nature
At Credit Valley Conservation, one of our roles is to help protect people and property from natural hazards like flooding and erosion. As we look ahead, we’re planning for a future that’s safe and sustainable, and must consider how changes in climate and land use could affect communities in the watershed.
A key focus of our work is incorporating nature-based solutions. Nature-based solutions are tools and actions that use natural systems like forests, wetlands and rivers to help reduce the impact of land use and climate change. These solutions also help to manage flooding and erosion while restoring habitat, capturing carbon and creating more green spaces for communities to enjoy.
From Grey to Green
In the past, “grey” infrastructure, such as concrete and rock walls were used for river management and to control erosion. While these methods worked in the short-term, they often created unintended impacts, like altering water flow and damaging downstream habitats.
Today, we’re working with our partners to rethink a different approach. By using nature-based solutions, we’re working with natural processes to restore balance, protect biodiversity and build resilience.
Planting the Seeds of Change
One of the most effective nature-based solutions is riparian planting. Riparian planting is the use of plants along riverbanks and wetlands. The riparian zone is where wet and dry land meet. This zone plays a vital role in watershed health by:
- Protecting against erosion
- Stabilizing banks
- Filtering contaminants
- Storing carbon
- Recharging groundwater
- Providing habitat for wildlife
Over time, many riparian zones have been lost because of land clearing, infrastructure development and urban expansion.
When plants are used instead of hard materials to manage erosion, energy from flowing water is absorbed, not displaced, reducing damage downstream. Soil is held in place by the roots of trees and shrubs while their canopy shades streams, keeping water cool for fish and improving overall water quality.
The Power of Wetlands
Wetlands are another cornerstone of nature-based solutions. These rich ecosystems slow down water, store carbon, filter pollutants and provide critical habitat for hundreds of species, including many that are threatened or endangered. Yet, across southern Ontario, wetlands have been lost or degraded because of urbanization and agriculture.
Along with our partners, we’re bringing wetlands back to the Credit River Watershed. An example of this is at the future Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area (JTLCA) project in Mississauga. We built two large coastal wetlands to transform a degraded and industrialized section of Lake Ontario shoreline into a thriving natural habitat. The coastal wetlands are connected to the recently restored Serson Creek and Applewood Creek, that are connected to Lake Ontario.
Visit the Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area Park Page
Partnering with Landowners
Nature-based solutions also thrive on collaboration. Through CVC’s Rural Water Quality Program, we work with farmers and rural landowners to restore wetlands and riparian areas on agricultural lands. Many times, these restored features occupy low-lying or seasonally wet areas that don’t support crops or livestock.
By reintroducing wetlands on farmland, landowners help manage floods, prevent soil erosion, store carbon, improve groundwater recharge and enhance habitat connectivity across the watershed. These projects create co-benefits for both people and nature, helping farmers build climate resilience while improving the health of the watershed.
Planning for a Greener Tomorrow
As we look to the future, nature-based solutions will play a central role in protecting communities, restoring ecosystems and supporting biodiversity. By harnessing the power of nature, we can build a future where people and wildlife thrive together.
Learn about the restoration services available at CVC.
Are you a landowner with a rural property in the Credit River Watershed? We can help you care for your land and water through expert advice and funding. Connect with us to get started.
By Annie White, Technician 2, Aquatic Restoration
Keep up the good work.