Wetland Restoration Program 2026-2027

This wetland restoration program aims to create and enhance wetland and riparian habitats within the matrix of farmland and natural areas across Rouge National Urban Park. Historically altered by agricultural operations, the selected sites target marginal lands, low-lying wet depressions, and high-impact ephemeral drain lines to slow surface runoff, filter concentrated agricultural nutrients, and promote groundwater infiltration. Across the three project locations in Toronto and Markham, ON, key construction activities involve excavating emergent wetland pockets, re-grading swales, and constructing low-profile clay berms with shallow spillways to retain water. On-site soils will be repurposed into specialized planting mounds to improve growing conditions for native vegetation without importing fill. Work includes stream channel naturalization using woody debris to re-establish natural meanders and install a dedicated low-level crossing with a culvert to provide reliable agricultural equipment access to adjacent farm fields without driving through flooded, sensitive wetland habitat. Invasive vegetation, including European buckthorn, Manitoba maple, and dog-strangling vine, will be selectively cleared to expand habitat space. Post-construction, all disturbed ground, riparian zones, and raised mounds will be stabilized using native seeding, extensive infill tree and shrub planting, and live-staking to foster long-term structural diversity, enhance local water quality, and establish robust habitats for wildlife.

Latest update

September 9, 2026 – Parks Canada intends to make a determination regarding whether the carrying out of the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. To help inform this determination, Parks Canada is inviting public comments until October 9, 2026 respecting that determination.

Participate

Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
1 New project being assessed by Parks Canada – Public comments invited from September 9, 2026 to October 9, 2026 - September 9, 2026

Contacts

Rouge National Urban Park
3545 Kingston Road, Floor #2
Scarborough, Ontario M1M 1R6
Telephone: 416-264-2020
Fax: 416-264-2167
Email: rouge@pc.gc.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Rouge National Urban Park (Ontario)

  • Nature of activity

    • Agriculture
    • Water Management
    • Remediation and conservation

  • Assessment status

    In progress

  • Start date

    2026-09-09

  • Proponent

    Parks Canada

  • Authorities

    • Parks Canada Agency

  • Assessment type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference number

    90750

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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