NATURE FIRST: THE RESTORATION OF SERSON CREEK

The revitalization of Serson Creek will help increase foraging and nesting sites for migratory birds. It will also help increase linkages to the surrounding area, providing wildlife with movement corridors and migratory stopover areas. Species of Grebes, Herons, Ducks, Sandpipers, Terns, Sparrows and Vireos are just some examples of the type of birds that will use the revitalized site. Some specific examples include the Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Osprey and Spotted Sandpiper.

A variety of flowers will bloom throughout the warmer seasons of the year (providing wildlife with support from early spring to the fall). Some species include pollinator-supporting common milkweed, evening primrose, black raspberry, heath aster, and white vervain. 

These flowers will help support native pollinators such as monarch and red admiral butterflies, hummingbird and primrose moths, and a number of different bee species (Fun fact: Ontario has more than 400 different types of bees)! These plants will also help support surrounding wildlife by providing food and shelter.

Species that are likely to use the channel include mainly warm water baitfish and minnows, however it is anticipated that species such as salmon, white sucker, trout and bass may also attempt to migrate upstream on occasion when conditions allow. Pike and bass will likely spawn in the lower reaches. It is also expected that the corridor will be frequented by the following wildlife:

• Mammals: racoons, skunks, squirrels, fox, coyote, mink, otter and bats
• Amphibians: American toad, green frog, and leopard frog;
• Reptiles: snapping turtle, midland painted turtle, eastern garter snake, northern water snake and little brown snake; and
• Birds: finches, warblers, sparrows, ducks, herons, osprey, hawks, owls.

The revitalization of Serson Creek creates a green corridor connecting the creek directly to Lake Ontario. The corridor has been designed specifically to create fish and wildlife habitat and promote ecological connectivity. Every aspect of the corridor was designed with these ecological benefits in mind and based on natural channel design and ecological restoration principles.

The creek channel was designed to promote fish migration. The creek banks have been constructed with natural stone, logs and root wads to provide stability and create habitat structure and cover for both fish and wildlife. The floodplain at the bottom of the corridor contains woody debris piles to offer wildlife shelter. All the tree, shrub and groundcover plantings are native to Mississauga and planting modules are based on natural associations that remain in the landscape or were historically known to occur along the Lakeshore. Although the corridor is not all that large, the design is based of achieving target community types of upland forest, slope forest, floodplain forest, meadows and wetlands; each with its own customized palette of native plantings. This restoration approach is anticipated to create a source of native biodiversity that over time will spread into other adjacent areas and benefit many species of native fish and wildlife.

The revitalization of Serson Creek as well as the habitat creation initiatives at Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area will help attract and support many more wildlife species and allow them to flourish in an ecologically supportive environment. It is anticipated that the diversity of wildlife that will utilize these new habitats will increase over time as the habitats become established. There will be ongoing ecological monitoring to track this progress.  

Following decades of environmental deterioration, Serson Creek will be restored as a thriving naturalized watercourse with native vegetation. The planting initiative will include approximately 1,000 trees and a significant density of shrubs, grasses and groundcovers. 

A key component of the design is the sensitive integration of a pedestrian and cycling trail along its west bank, which will provide a tranquil experience of fish habitat and wildlife viewing opportunities through to the waterfront and the Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area. The adjacent Innovation Corridor lands will ensure convenient views and access to Serson Creek from the west, with an emphasis on building architecture that engages the creek. This is not yet open to the public; stay tuned for updates regarding the opening of Serson Creek.