Start Date:

July 2008

Funding:   

Province of Ontario, Nottaswasaga Valley Conservation Authority; Municipalities of Adjala-Tosorontio, Bradford West Gwillimbury, New Tecumseth; Dufferin-Simcoe Land Stewardship Network; Tree Canada; NT Temps; Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, and Private Sector

Lead Partners:   

Adjala-Tosorontio Project Team, Alliston Lions Club, Banting Memorial High School, Nantyr Shores Secondary School, Dufferin Simcoe Land Stewardship Network; F & P Mfg., Honda of Canada Mfg., Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority; New Tecumseth Streams Committee; Nottawasaga Steelheaders, Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority; NCEDC; Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury, Town of Innisfil, Town of New Tecumseth, Township of Adjala-Tosorontio, the Province of Ontario and multiple private sector members

Goals:                            

• To invest in streams together for community and waterway health 
• To support and initiate community projects for healthier streams in South Simcoe combining multi-partner resources and community volunteer efforts for improved habitat, cleaner water and communal wellbeing
• To engage volunteers of all ages and walks of life from schools, youth and service clubs to business and industry to participate in stream rehabilitation
• To build cooperative partnerships to help generate the tools, know-how and funds needed to restore degraded stream systems
• To advance community awareness and appreciation of stream and river resources, ecological threats and benefits to local communities

Status:     

The South Simcoe Streams Network (SSSN) is in its sixteenth year of operation.  This program continues to draw multi-sector and community support.  The SSSN has developed innovative, action-oriented ways to improve and protect local stream environments through education, community involvement, and on the ground activities.

This program continues to achieve the goal of stream and habitat restoration in action-oriented ways through community engagement across the municipalities of South Simcoe County. In collaboration with the municipalities, local businesses, conservation authorities, and many other organizations we invested in streams together for community and watershed health. We were able to engage over 700 volunteers during 23 stream restoration events.

In the spring of 2023 SSSN hosted 18 spring tree planting events involving both community volunteers and school groups. 621 volunteers worked a total of 1,958 hours to plant 5,480 trees & shrubs across 16 different sites in the Nottawasaga River and Lake Simcoe watersheds. With our partners we were able to stabilize over half a kilometer of local streambanks through in-stream restoration activities. Volunteer events also provided an educational opportunity to share the importance of streams and surrounding habitat, maintaining biodiversity, and protecting watercourses. This program continues to provide opportunities for community engagement in on the ground activities which provide education, have a positive impact on the environment, and foster environmental stewardship.