Monday: HHRAP Walking Tour
The week began with a full loop around Bayfront Park with the Hamilton Harbour's Remedial Action Plan (HHRAP) team. Participants stopped at different points throughout the park to learn about Hamilton Harbour’s environmental history and the ongoing work to restore it. It was especially interesting to hear how an area that was once used as a dumping ground has been transformed into a place for people and wildlife. Along the way, we learned about restoration projects like the bird islands, Desjardins Fishway, and Randle Reef, as well as the role stormwater plays in the health of the harbour. The walk was a great reminder that what happens on our streets and in our neighborhood's can ultimately affect the water around us.
Tuesday: Saltfleet Conservation Wetland Tour
On Tuesday, participants joined the Hamilton Conservation Authority for a wetland conservation tour. The visit explored both the technological and ecological sides of conservation and demonstrated how understanding natural systems can help us better manage and protect our water resources. The tour also highlighted one of the key messages of Stormwater Week: protecting water is a shared responsibility. When organizations and community members come together to exchange knowledge, we build a stronger understanding of how our local actions affect the larger watershed.
Wednesday: Beach Clean-Up
Stormwater Week also took participants outdoors for a hands-on Hamilton Harbour cleanup with HamOnt Youth. With 76 attendees, participants helped clean up Van Wagner Beach near Hutch’s on the Beach, while Green Venture volunteers supported waste sorting throughout the event. The cleanup provided a great opportunity for young people to connect directly with the waterfront, learn about the impact litter and other pollutants can have on our waterways, and understand the importance of reducing consumption and sorting waste correctly to minimize environmental impacts.
Thursday: Drop-In Floor Map Session
On Thursday, participants experienced the Biinaagami Map with BARC (Bay Area Restoration Council). The Biinaagami Giant Floor Map allows people to physically explore the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence watershed using an app that provides virtual reality story-telling. Participants interacted with stories connected to the Seven Grandfather Teachings, Anishinaabe guiding principles for living a good and balanced life, as well as The Peacemaker, which recounts the unification of the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. One of the most memorable parts of the experience was seeing just how large the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence watershed really is. Rather than looking at borders drawn on a conventional political map, participants were able to experience boundaries created by water and the natural landscape. It offered a powerful reminder that water does not follow municipal boundaries- and that what happens in one part of a watershed can affect communities and ecosystems much farther downstream.
Friday & Saturday: Garden Journey Open Days
To wrap up Stormwater Week, residents had the opportunity to explore beautiful gardens across the region during Garden Journeys Open Days, hosted by the Halton Master Gardeners. This self-paced garden tour featured 14 past Rain Ready Hamilton participants, with gardens showcasing a variety of Low Impact Development (LID) features, including rain gardens, permeable paving, and other stormwater management solutions. The tour offered a great opportunity to see these projects in real-life settings, get inspired by creative garden designs, and learn how green infrastructure can be incorporated into residential properties to help manage stormwater.
Coming Up: Water Watchers Workshop
September 19 at Eco-House
Our Stormwater Week programming continues with an upcoming workshop led by Water Watchers, a local organization dedicated to protecting and advocating for clean, healthy waterways. Join us at Eco-House for an informative and engaging session exploring water stewardship and our connection to local waterways. The workshop will help participants better understand the importance of protecting the water systems that support our communities and environment.
Come find your connection to water and discover what you can do to help protect it.
