TRCA, in partnership with Conservation Ontario, has released a new series of Watershed Report Cards that provide a checkup on the current state of the Toronto region’s watersheds. The report cards track and report on the surface water and groundwater quality, forest conditions and land cover in the watersheds within the Toronto region.
What is a Watershed?
A watershed is the area of land that catches rain and snow and drains or seeps into a marsh, stream, river, lake or groundwater. Watersheds are the collectors, filters, conveyers and storage compartments of our fresh water supply.
Why Report on Watershed Health?
Watershed monitoring enables conservation authorities, municipalities, and other partners to target priorities and measure environmental change. The reports also:
- Help inform local watershed plans and programs.
- Identify issues and project future conditions.
- Focus natural resource management actions where they are needed most.
- Track progress over time.
Monitoring conditions helps to inform local watershed plans and programs.
Be Part of the Solution!
- Share the watershed report card with your neighbours. in your community and watershed.
- Use it as a point of discussion with decision makers
- Help kids understand their local environment and raise stewards of the environment
- Live an environmentally conscious lifestyle
- Look for volunteer opportunities and ways to contribute to your community
- Donate to Toronto and Region Conservation Foundation (formerly The Living City Foundation)
How Are We Reporting?
TRCA works within the natural boundaries of nine watersheds: Etobicoke Creek, Mimico Creek, Humber River, Don River, Highland Creek, Rouge River, Petticoat Creek, Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek as well as the Toronto Waterfront. The report cards have been populated using data collected from our monitoring sites as well as information from outside sources and partnerships.
The watershed report cards use a common set of indicators, methodology and grading criteria developed by Conservation Ontario and conservation authorities throughout the province to report on watershed health.
What Are We Reporting on and Why?
The indicators that have been selected represent those that provide valuable insight into the health and condition of the watershed, represent both an aquatic and terrestrial perspective, and are meaningful to the residents of Ontario.
- Groundwater Quality
- Surface Water Quality
- Forest Conditions
- Land Cover
Want to Learn How Other Conservation Authorities are Doing?
Check out Conservation Ontario’s Watershed Checkup webpage.
Questions or Comments?
Contact Angela Wallace, Angela Wallace, Project Manager, Watershed Reporting: awallace@trca.on.ca