Protecting the Headwaters of Ontario’s Greenbelt

Imagine a small stream winding through a forest in the Greenbelt’s headwaters. Leaves and organic matter from surrounding trees provide nutrients that support fish and aquatic insects, forming the foundation of a complex food web that extends downstream all the way to Lake Ontario. Overhead, forest canopies shade the water and help maintain the cool temperatures that many species depend on, including Brook Trout, one of Ontario’s most beloved native fish, and Atlantic Salmon, a species considered locally extinct, that is now showing signs of returning thanks to ongoing rehabilitation efforts.

Now, imagine turning your gaze from the river to the riverbank, where riparian areas form the transitionary zone between forests and waterways. These areas filter pollutants, stabilize banks, and buffer against flooding. The moist soil conditions support shade-loving plants like ferns that provide shelter for birds, amphibians, and insects. Beyond the riparian corridor, rivers and streams nourish forests, supply water for crops, and sustain wildlife across the Greenbelt. By maintaining water quality and habitat connectivity, these waterways keep ecosystems resilient and productive, supporting both nature and people.

For people, rivers provide far more than ecological value. They are sources for food, recreation, and cultural connection. With many of us living in cities, it’s often easy to forget how close we are to large rivers like the Humber River and the Don River, but we are truly blessed to have easy access to these rivers and should not take them for granted!

Unfortunately, our waterways face growing challenges. Increasing urbanization and climate change across Southern Ontario are placing increasing pressures on rivers and streams. Expanding cities can lead to the loss of natural habitat, increased pollution and litter in waterways, and disruptions to the natural water cycle. At the same time, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent each year, increasing the risk of floods and the strain on already vulnerable ecosystems.

Despite these challenges, many organizations and communities are working to protect and restore these important waterways. Since 1995, Ontario Streams has worked to promote the protection and rehabilitation of waterways across Southern Ontario through education and community action.

From 2024 to 2025, Ontario Streams partnered with the Greenbelt Foundation through the Resilient Rivers in the Greenbelt project. This initiative focused on improving headwater habitats within the urban river valleys of the Credit River, Don River, Humber River, Lynde Creek, and Rouge River watersheds.

With this project, we successfully stabilized 630m of streambanks, planted 6,671 native trees and shrubs along streams, cleaned up litter from 297,368 m2 of sensitive habitats, mitigated 13 detrimental in-stream barriers, and managed invasive species from 8,026 m2 of riparian habitat in the Greenbelt. We also engaged over 1,100 community members in our stewardship programs, helping to strengthen connections between people and the landscapes around them.

Our work helps protect critical water resources, enhance ecological connectivity in the region, improve species-at-risk habitat, and bolster community stewardship to increase natural cover. While significant progress has been made, the journey of protecting our waterways is far from over.