Story Info
Story Info
Kim Manley Ort
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
2023
Type of Wounded Place
Story & Experience
One Mile Creek meanders through my town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, a tourist town surrounded by agricultural land. It travels mostly through private properties, eventually flowing into Lake Ontario.
For all of the more than ten years that I’ve lived here, this creek has received a grade of D on the watershed report card.
Water quality is degraded due to agricultural runoff and sewer overflows. Forests are important to watersheds in terms of increasing biodiversity and mitigating climate change impacts. Yet, the town has less than 18% tree cover and they were forced to remove 214 ash trees within the watershed, destroyed by the emerald ash borer. Local organizations have partnered to help restore the tree canopy, however, it’s incumbent upon private landowners to do their share by planting native trees, shrubs and wildflowers along the creek.
I spent time at one part of the creek, where I picked up litter and used it to create a bouquet of native plantings found along and in the creek.
One Mile Creek meanders through my town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, a tourist town surrounded by agricultural land. It travels mostly through private properties, eventually flowing into Lake Ontario.
For all of the more than ten years that I’ve lived here, this creek has received a grade of D on the watershed report card.
Water quality is degraded due to agricultural runoff and sewer overflows. Forests are important to watersheds in terms of increasing biodiversity and mitigating climate change impacts. Yet, the town has less than 18% tree cover and they were forced to remove 214 ash trees within the watershed, destroyed by the emerald ash borer. Local organizations have partnered to help restore the tree canopy, however, it’s incumbent upon private landowners to do their share by planting native trees, shrubs and wildflowers along the creek.
I spent time at one part of the creek, where I picked up litter and used it to create a bouquet of native plantings found along and in the creek.
Why this Place?
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
I chose this place because, despite local efforts, the creek is constantly bei g threatened by runoff, loss of forest cover, litter, and climate changes.
Act of Beauty
Say more about your actions and activity
I used the litter as a way to showcase the natural beauty found in this place.
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