NEWMARKET - This summer’s discovery of White Sucker, Common Carp, Longnose Dace and Creek Chub in Newmarket’s Western Creek proves that restoration work does make a difference.

“These fish were not found in Western Creek before it was re-naturalized last year” says Virginia Hackson, the conservation authority’s Chair. “In fact, in 2008, before the project started, LSRCA staff reported that the area immediately upstream of the re-naturalization was devoid of any fish species.”

The area where the restoration work took place is where Western Creek flows into the East Holland River, in the urban center of Newmarket, beside the Go Station parking lot at the rear of the Tannery Mall. Through on-going monitoring, LSRCA researchers identified the area as a good candidate for restoration, gathered its partners to raise the funds necessary and completed the work in 2009.

“We are already seeing the fruits of our success” says Hackson. “It’s gratifying to know that the hard work of the LSRCA and its partners is bringing real results. This particular project’s success also demonstrates that urban development doesn’t have to come at the expense of the environment. The presence of the fish says it all!”

The LSRCA wishes to thank its partners, the Town of Newmarket, the Regional Municipality of York, the Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation and the Royal Bank’s Blue Water Fund for making this vital project possible and improving the habitat for fish in Western Creek and the East Holland River.

For more information on this project, please contact:
Susan Jagminas
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA)
s.jagminas@lsrca.on.ca
905-895-1281 ext. 264