Hospital Helps Heal Local Environment – Community Invited to Tree Planting Event at Southlake Regional Health Centre

NEWMARKET – April 28, 2009 – York Region residents are invited to participate in a community tree-planting event to be held at Southlake Regional Health Centre on May 23, 2009. The tree-planting event is the final step in the restoration of this section of Eastern Creek (which flows through Southlake Regional Health Centre) to a natural, fish friendly stream that adds its clean water to the East Holland River and Lake Simcoe.

Starting at 10 a.m., the event will feature fun, food, and of course some digging to plant the trees and shrubs that will anchor the banks, as well as filter and shade the water of Eastern Creek. The planting event will take place rain or shine. Attendees are asked to wear appropriate clothing and footwear, and bring a shovel if they have their own, otherwise shovels will be provided at the event.

The Eastern Creek Naturalization Project began last fall when the stream’s course was altered to include some micro-wetlands that filter out sediment from the urban runoff. Several separators were installed in the parking lot to remove oil and grit from runoff before it reaches the micro-wetlands and the stream. The streambanks were re-graded using bioengineering techniques to minimize erosion and the trees and shrubs that the community will plant on May 23, will stabilize the soil.

“As one of the largest employers in York Region, we have a responsibility not only to safely meet the healthcare needs of our patients, but also to ensure the continued protection and sustainability of our lakes, streams, and wetlands as our region and hospital campus continues to grow,” said Dan Carriere, President and CEO of Southlake Regional Health Centre. “We are proud to work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority to bring this river bed back to its natural state. It is our hope that in revitalizing this natural river bed, our patients and their families will seek comfort in this peaceful and tranquil setting while on Southlake’s campus.”

Eastern Creek is a tributary of the East Holland River, the most polluted river feeding Lake Simcoe. The naturalization project is designed to improve water quality in the creek, the East Holland River and, ultimately, in Lake Simcoe.

“It is very fitting that the restoration work being done on the hospital campus is aimed at improving health – the health of Eastern Creek, our local environment, and ultimately Lake Simcoe,” said Virginia Hackson, LSRCA Chair and Councillor for the Town of East Gwillimbury. “This project is an example of what is possible when we at the conservation authority join with our community and government partners to significantly improve our local environment.”

The Eastern Creek Naturalization Project became a reality through the financial and technical support of many partner organizations. These partners include the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, Southlake Regional Health Centre, the Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation, the Regional Municipality of York, through the Landowner Environmental Assistance Program (formerly the Lake Simcoe Water Quality Improvement Program), the Town of Newmarket, the Government of Canada, through Environment Canada’s Lake Simcoe Clean Up Fund, York Environmental Stewardship, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, York Bassmasters, and the Bogart Creek Restoration Committee.

The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority has worked with private landowners and municipalities to complete over 950 protection and restoration projects under LEAP, the Landowner Environmental Assistance Program.