Halton Peel Woodlands and Wildlife Stewardship Commences a Redside Dace Recovery Project

Georgetown, Ontario – The Halton Peel Woodlands and Wildlife Stewardship (HPWWS) has initiated a redside dace recovery project in Halton County.

The redside dace is a nationally endangered species of minnow. This colourful fish resides in small streams and requires cool clear water with overhanging vegetation. In Ontario its range is largely restricted to streams flowing into Western Lake Ontario, including the Credit River watershed.

Increasing urbanization with associated habitat loss and decreased water quality have impacted redside dace populations. Redside dace are extremely sensitive to turbidity and erosion during intense rainfall is a primary concern. To mitigate these impacts the HPWWS has initiated a recovery project on Silver Creek within Cedarvale Park, Georgetown, ON.

Members of HPWWS have completed a habitat restoration project by planting native trees and shrubs along Silver Creek through Cedarvale Park in Georgetown, ON. An educational sign for park visitors to review information regarding the redside dace has also been installed.

The Town of Halton Hills has also instituted a 5 metre no cut zone along the streambanks of Silver Creek, through Cedarvale Park, to protect riparian vegetation.

The HPWWS gratefully acknowledges the support of the project partners including the Town of Halton Hills, Credit River Anglers Association, Credit Valley Conservation, and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Funding for this project was made possible by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Species At Risk fund.
Town residents can assist in the redside dace recovery project by avoiding the use of pesticides which will maintain a healthy insect population, a primary source of redside dace food.

In addition limiting the amount of stormwater runoff by using a rain barrel or disconnecting downspouts will reduce inflows into local streams which can lead to erosion.

The project is being implemented and managed by the Halton Peel Woodlands & Wildlife Stewardship (HPWWS). The HPWWS is an Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Stewardship Council which is primarily staffed with volunteers with a mandate to promote good stewardship practices on private and public land.

For further information please contact Derek Konieczny (HPWWS member) at 905-873-0517.

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