Bronte Creek welcomes home a lost ecological treasure

Bronte Creek welcomes home a lost ecological treasure

Today, an exciting environmental and educational initiative is happening on the Bronte Creek, thanks to the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Pioneer Petroleums. Classroom hatchery-raised Atlantic salmon will be released on Bronte Creek at 11:00 a.m. at Lowville Park, in the Village of Lowville.

"Nearly 110 years after Lake Ontario’s Atlantic salmon were declared extirpated from our waters, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is pleased to be joined by over 80 elementary students and representatives from Pioneer Petroleums in a unique hands-on environmental experience," said Dr. Terry Quinney, O.F.A.H. Provincial Manager of Fish and Wildlife Services.

The Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program was launched in 2006. Since that time, thousands of volunteer hours have been dedicated to area stream improvements and over 1.3 million Atlantic salmon have been stocked in Duffins Creek, Cobourg Brook and the Credit River, tributaries of Lake Ontario.

Last fall, Pioneer Petroleums announced a commitment to help support environmental education field trips hosted by the Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program which provides hatcheries and outdoor excursions for 92 classrooms in 85 schools and outdoor education centres throughout the Greenbelt and the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

Pioneer Petroleum’s CEO, Tim Hogarth said, "Pioneer believes in supporting grassroots environmental action and we believe in helping kids. Today’s event is a great way for young people to develop a lifelong appreciation for healthy waterways and those who volunteer to protect them."

Stocking the Bronte Creek with classroom hatchery-raised Atlantic salmon is all part of an internationally acclaimed endeavor that is spearheaded by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources with over 40 conservation partners, including Banrock Station Wetland Foundation, LCBO Natural Heritage Fund, the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association, Fishing Forever Foundation, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation. Helping with the Bronte Creek event are program supporters, the Community Stream Steward Program, Trout Unlimited Canada and Conservation Halton. For more information, visit www.bringbackthesalmon.ca

With over 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 655 member clubs, the O.F.A.H. is the largest nonprofit, charitable, fishing, hunting and conservation-based organization in Ontario, and the voice of anglers and hunters. For more information, visit www.ofah.org.

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