Bay Area Restoration Council

05/29/2026

We had a great time at the Hamilton Children’s Water Festival at Pier 4 Park, using our EnviroScape model to educate local students about stormwater runoff and how pollution enters our local waterways. Thank you to and all of the amazing schools and organizations that made this event such a success! 💧

05/12/2026

Some highlights from Marsh Volunteer Planting 2025! 🪏🌱 Last year with the help of our amazing volunteers and collaboration from the Royal Botanical Gardens, we planted over 3,000 native plants in Cootes Paradise Marsh and about one thousand in Grindstone Marsh.

Registration for the 2026 cohort of volunteer planters is now open and will remain so until May 19 at noon. Find the registration link in our Instagram bio!

05/12/2026

Last week we welcomed Sloan to the BARC team as our Program and Technical Intern! ✨ Sloan has long been a BARC volunteer and we’re thrilled to have her as part of our staff 🌱 We’re can’t wait to offer so many fun programs this summer 🐸🐢

05/03/2026

Persistent precipitation this spring has resulted in rising water levels throughout the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River basin and flood conditions in many tributaries. Read about what the IJC does to try to manage the impacts.

Persistent precipitation this spring has resulted in rising water levels throughout the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River basin and flood conditions in many tributaries. Water levels in Lake Ontario have risen a total of 0.76 meters (2.50 feet) in two months.

04/10/2026

We’re celebrating National Wildlife Week with the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) partners!

BARC’s Classroom Mini Marsh program not only provides students within the Hamilton Harbour watershed with an exciting, hands-on opportunity to observe a marsh ecosystem, but also supports biodiversity. After the program concludes, these plants are planted in Cootes Paradise and Grindstone Marshes at !

Classroom Mini Marsh pick-up is on April 20 and 21. If you haven’t signed up yet, make sure to do so in the coming days! 🐌🌱

12/04/2025

TONIGHT @ 5:30
This Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan webinar explains everything you need to know about the treatment of wastewater before it enters Hamilton Harbour
Register here:

Presented by the HHRAP and hosted by Conservation Halton, the Hamilton Harbour Deep Dive is a free webinar series featuring guest speakers.

11/09/2025

Today is National Indigenous Veterans Day in Canada.

Indigenous Veterans Day commemorates the military service of First Nations, Inuit and Métis men and women to Canada during both World Wars and other vital Indigenous military contributions to earlier conflicts such as the War of 1812.

The photos were taken today at a ceremony hosted by the Niagara Academy For Indigenous Relations (NAIR) at the Landscape of Nations Memorial at Queenston Heights Park involving its largest crowd after a decade with more than 50 people in attendance including both Indigenous and non-Indigenous military veterans.

NAIR's ceremony "honours the courage and alliances of Indigenous and Canadian allies during the War of 1812. It reflects on peace, reconciliation, and the enduring contributions of Indigenous peoples to Canada's story."

In the photos are members of Six Nations of the Grand River, master of ceremony Travis Hill, speakers Rick Hill and Tim Johnson, and Phil Davis who performed an honour song on the drum. Photos also include Brock's Monument and the Niagara River, and finally, all participants in the wreath ceremony (photo by Alex Heidbuechel).

09/26/2025

Jim Bradley, arguably Ontario's most impactful environment minister, died today at 80 years old. Between 1977 and 2018, he served an astonishing 41 years in the provincial legislature. Thanks to Steve Paikin for this lovely piece on Mr. Bradley's political influence in Ontario. Rest in peace, good sir.

He was a 41-year veteran of Queen’s Park, a determined advocate for his hometown, and was called Ontario’s best environment minister. He was also just a super nice guy.

05/27/2025

TONIGHT. Friend of BARC, Jason Allen: The Environmental Urbanist, in conversation this evening with author Robert Macfarlane, author of Is a River Alive? To reserve a seat click the link in the comments.

British nature writer, essayist, lyricist, and author of Is a River Alive?

04/27/2025

A good read to better understand the landscape around us, and how water flows through our community 😎

What is a marsh? 🌱

A marsh is a type of wetland that is characterized by still or slow-moving waters and a plant community consisting of grasses, rushes, and sedges. Marshes are commonly found in low-lying land, such as on the edges of lakes and rivers, and the saturated soil conditions that result are perfect for these species.

Like all wetlands, marshes are essential both for us and for our natural environment. Marshes provide habitat for many species of fish, birds, and animals, some of which are exclusive to these areas. They also work as a natural buffer to flooding events, acting like a giant sponge that soaks up the excess water. Finally, marshes filter out contaminants from farm, road, and sewage runoff, which maintains overall water quality in our freshwater systems.

To learn more about the benefits of marshes and other wetlands, check out our blog post 'Wetlands: How Marshes and Swamps Can Save the World': https://watersheds.ca/wetlands-how-marshes-and-swamps-can-save-the-world/