On February 20, 2020, Ontario Streams will celebrate its 25th anniversary. I have had the privilege of being a part of this organization for 23 of those years, and although I have seen many things change over that time, none of it would have been possible without the vision of the original 7 founding members. In 1995, the Board of Directors would hold monthly meetings in Elora often at a picnic table beside the Grand River, to plan the building of Ontario Streams. At times they would have to donate their own money to help pay for a phone line and office essentials, but they felt their vision of an organization that would bring people together to learn and to rehabilitate our rivers, streams and wetlands was well worth their volunteer time and personal financial commitments.

Over the years, Ontario Streams’ experiences have allowed us to expand our programming in many ways. We have rehabilitated streams and rivers from Lake Simcoe, to Lake Ontario, restored and created hectares of wetlands, conducted research from the Greater Toronto Area to the Bruce Peninsula and from the Saugeen River to the Irondale River watershed. Our outreach programs have educated youth on the importance of our aquatic resources and provided them with the opportunity to be directly involved in rehabilitation through volunteer events and the Adopt-A-Stream Program.