The Town of Oakville, and it’s project partners Conservation Halton, Evergreen and the Bronte BIA, were awarded $25,000 by the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund to help restore and protect the Bronte Bluffs and improve local water quality.
“This Council is committed to protecting green space and enhancing Oakville’s natural environment,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “The Bronte Bluffs are another example of the way we are making some of Oakville’s beautiful outdoor spaces even more family and environmentally friendly.”
The project aims to enhance local water quality and reduce storm-water runoff into the lake, improve habitat for birds and local species and enhance visitor experiences to the area. The $25,000 will go towards:
- Removing a direct storm-water outfall pipe into the lake to be replaced by a bioswale and naturalized plantings to improve water quality. This will be a pilot project for low impact development methods for storm-water management
- Removing invasive species and replacing with native plants
- Adding educational signage and improving trails
- Constructing a small viewing platform at the top of the parking lot stairs, overlooking Bronte Beach
Work on the project will begin this spring and is expected to be completed by this fall.
“This is fantastic news for our community,” said Alan Johnston, Ward 1 Councillor. “Both Councillor Ralph Robinson and I fully support this initiative to improve and enhance our environment and waterways. We will be working with our partners to encourage the community to get involved in many of the events planned for this summer such as planting and cleanup days.”
The Bronte Bluffs represents a relatively rare landscape feature along the Lake Ontario shoreline and forms a part of a significant stopover/staging area for migratory birds. The improvements will help restore the function and health of the Bronte Bluffs and enhance habitat.
Bronte Bluffs is located on the waterfront trail and features a park and several heritage buildings such as Sovereign House and a museum with exhibits on local history — much related to the Great Lakes. The proposed project will also educate visitors to the site’s environmental aspects and ecological importance as well as inspire environmental stewardship through restoration activities.
Launched by the Ministry of the Environment in 2012, the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund offers grants to community groups and organizations. To date, a total of 78 groups across the province have received assistance geared towards the protection of the Great Lakes.