Riparian Regeneration

RIPARIAN REGENERATION

The riparian zone is the area where a water system meets the land. The health of this area is critical for promoting resilient habitats. Features of a healthy riparian zone include diverse plant species, habitat for wildlife, and a low grade slope.

Riparian zones have many functions within an ecosystem:

strengthening stream banks
managing storm water
recharging ground water
trapping sediments
filtering nutrients and contaminants
promoting biodiversity
storing carbon
creating shade to keep water cool

TREE PLANTING AT ONTARIO STREAMS

In 2024, Ontario Streams planted over 12,000 native trees and shrubs across Durham, Peel, and York Regions. This was our biggest tree planting year in recent history!

In 2025, we are planning to plant over 10,000 native trees and shrubs to help restore sensitive riverside ecosystems and build up the urban canopy. We plant over two dozen species of native trees and shrubs to promote biodiversity, create habitat for wildlife, and improve flood management.

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Trees planted along Beaver Creek in Richmond Hill

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Ontario Streams Habitat Technicians planting native shrubs in riparian zone in Vaughan

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Volunteers from Aviva planting trees along John Button Waterway in Markham

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Trees planted along Elgin Channel in Richmond Hill

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Trees planted where invasive Common Buckthorn has been managed in Caledon

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