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Impact of Proposed Legislative Changes on Endangered Species As you may have already heard, the Ontario government has introduced a bill that would significantly reduce environmental protections, including those for endangered species. Among other things, the “Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act” would repeal the existing Endangered Species Act (ESA), which has aimed to protect and recover at-risk species since 2007, and replace it with the Species Conservation Act (SCA). Ostensibly meant to maintain species protections while “reducing red tape,” the new Species Conservation Act is poised to shift how the Province treats endangered species and the habitats they rely on. The changes proposed in this legislation raise serious concerns. Key Proposed Changes to Environmental Protections The new bill would introduce significant alterations to existing protections. Here are some key changes that have been proposed: Narrowing of Habitat Definitions : The definition of habitat would shift to refer only to an animal’s immediate dwelling place, such as a nest. This means protections for rare plants would extend only to the individual plant’s roots, rather than the broader ecosystem in which they thrive. Harassment of Species : The bill aims to remove the prohibition on “harassing” species at risk. This could allow actions that scare animals away from their preferred nesting locations. As a result, habitat protections might not be triggered, leading to increased risks for vulnerable species. Permit Removal for Harmful Projects : The requirement for permits for projects that could harm species at risk would be eliminated. Instead, an online registration system would be introduced. This change would undermine the ability of the government’s environmental experts to review plans. Without this oversight, the potential harm to species is likely to increase. Elimination of Recovery Strategies : The bill would also remove the requirement for provincial recovery strategies and management plans aimed at protecting species at risk. This lack of structured responses could exacerbate the threats these species already face. Increased Power for Industries In addition to the Species Conservation Act, a separate proposed bill called the Special Economic Zones Act would also allow industries to bypass provincial laws and municipal bylaws. This at-risk approach disregards the due process under which those laws and bylaws were originally created. Such a framework would give industries unprecedented power to operate without sufficient environmental oversight. The Call for Rethinking Environmental Protection Freshwater Conservation Canada is calling on the Ontario Government to reconsider this proposed legislation. When the Endangered Species Act was created, the Province of Ontario demonstrated true leadership. They recognized the ecological, social, economic, and intrinsic value of biological diversity for future generations. The ESA takes a science-based approach. It considers the life history and ecology of various species. This approach is particularly crucial for many species that rely on freshwater ecosystems. Aquatic and amphibian species are already identified as being at greater risk of extinction due to their reliance on multiple habitats throughout their life cycles. The Importance of Strong Environmental Protections It was acknowledged in 2007, and we are reminded today, that environmental protection and strong economies can coexist. We do not have to choose between one or the other. Strong environmental regulations enable sustainable development. They ensure that we protect biodiversity while allowing economic growth. Take Action: Share Your Voice The Province is accepting comments on the proposed legislation until this Saturday, May 17th, at 11:59 PM. Your voice is vital in shaping the future of environmental protections in Ontario. Comments can be submitted here . Support your local wildlife and ecosystems. Our natural environment deserves protection, and you can help influence decision-makers by expressing your concerns. The legislative changes proposed could have long-term consequences for countless species. In conclusion, we must rally together to protect our environment. The fight for conservation has never been more critical. Ensure that the future we leave behind supports both wildlife and a thriving community. Your actions can inspire change. Together, we can safeguard Ontario's rich biodiversity.

Written by: Angela Ten, Management Biologist As part of TUC’s Reconnecting Canada  campaign, we have been working to replace a set of hanging culverts on two tributaries to Waiparous Creek since 2019. We refer to these creeks as the Whispering Pines East and West tributaries, since they cross a road owned by the Whispering Pines Bible Camp. These creeks are home to native Bull Trout ( Salvelinus confluentus ) and Westslope Cutthroat Trout ( Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisii ), which are both species at risk. In 2022, we successfully replaced one set of hanging culverts on the Whispering Pines West tributary, so this year, our goal was to replace the set on the East tributary! Before: the four hanging culverts on the Whispering Pines East Tributary. Imagine jumping up that as a fish! Culverts are “hanging” when there is a gap between the bottom of the culvert and the top of the stream it flows into—kind of like a mini-waterfall. Just like a natural waterfall, hanging culverts can be a barrier for fish movement, as fish may be unable to jump high enough to close the gap between the stream and the culvert. When this happens, populations on the upstream side of the culvert become isolated from the rest of the creek. Problems associated to this isolation are amplified when the upstream part of the creek is particularly small, like it is in Whispering Pines East. Imagine that you and 100 other people living in a single apartment building. There is enough food and water for everyone and one room for each person. The doors to the apartment building only work one way; no one new can enter the building, and if you ever leave the building, you can’t come back in. Things are fine at first—but then a fire destroys 10 of the rooms, and the rooms cannot be repaired. What do you do? Some people share their rooms, but they often get into fights over the lack of personal space. Others have no choice but to leave. A decade passes, and you have kids in the apartment! There is enough room for the kids for now since they’re small, but space will be an issue once the kids grow up. The kids also need some space to play; the apartment has a small playground, but there are other families with kids, too, and not enough space for everyone. What do you do? Do you leave, or stay and fight for the limited space in the apartment and playground? This Westslope Cutthroat Trout was found on the upstream section of the Whispering Pines East culvert These are examples of some of the struggles that fish living in small, isolated populations face. A flood or drought that damages part of their habitat could lead to the death or displacement of a significant amount of fish. Sometimes, the remaining habitat is not suitable for all age classes of fish. Additionally, since no new fish can enter this population, the fish in the system can become more and more related to each other over time, causing issues with inbreeding (when relatives breed with each other) that can harm the population’s genetics. At the Whispering Pines East tributary, the road was also causing a significant amount of sediment to be deposited into the stream when it rained. Since the valley here is so steep, the creek crossing was the lowest part of the road. As a result, whenever it rained, water would flow down the compacted road surface from both sides, picking up sediment as it went, before dumping this muddy water into the lowest part of the slope—the creek. This muddy water makes it hard for fish to see, and breathe and can bury their eggs, which are usually laid in loose gravels. All this means that if we want to protect and conserve the native, at-risk trout that live in the Whispering Pines East tributary, we have to do something about these hanging culverts. The old culverts on a rainy day. Note how the water coming out of the culvert is clean, but the running down the slope into the creek is muddy; that all came from the road! And in September 2023, we did! After several years of fundraising and hard work, we were finally able to begin the process of replacing the hanging culverts with an open-bottom arch. The process and results for the work at the east tributary is similar to that of the west tributary Since the creek would have to be dewatered to minimize the impacts of construction on the creek, TUC staff installed nets to exclude fish from the dewatered area, performed several fish salvages within the dewatered area, and moved the captured fish to a safer spot in the creek. The creek was then pumped around the construction area. To prevent the issues with the road from happening again, a significant amount of gravel was used to eliminate the dip in the road and lift it out of the valley. Moving and packing down all this material took a lot of time, so construction for this culvert took over 3 weeks to complete. With construction complete, all that’s left is to restore the adjacent riparian area with some tree planting and woody debris distribution. This process was started in October 2023, and will likely continue for another year or two as we monitor the site. If you’re interested in getting involved with this project, and seeing this enormous arch for yourself, keep an eye out on our Eventbrite and social media pages for riparian planting volunteer opportunities in spring and fall 2024! The new open-bottom arch, with happy TUC staff! This project was financially supported by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas through the Native Trout Collaborative, the Alberta Conservation Association, the Calgary Foundation, the Bow River Basin Council, the Ghost Watershed Alliance Society, the Samuel Hanen Society for Resource Conservation, Environment and Climate Change Canada, TC Energy, and the Alberta Fish and Game Association. In-kind support was gratefully received from Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors through gravel donations. Finally, TUC thanks the Whispering Pines Bible Camp for making the road available for construction, and for their continued support of work on this creek.

Winter is the season for love. Nothing is more romantic than cuddling up with your partner to shelter from the cold. Don’t agree? Ask the burbot! Burbot ( Lota lota ) are the only freshwater members of the cod (Gadidae) family. They’re sometimes called Ling, or Ling Cod. They can be easily identified by their long, eel-like bodies and a single barbel  on their chin. Note the barbel on this young burbot’s chin In the winter, most fish hunker down from cold, but for burbot, this is the perfect time to get frisky! To prepare for their sub-zero courtship, burbot spend much of the fall and early winter bulking up. One organ that grows in preparation for spawning season is their swim bladder ! The swim bladder is a gas-filled organ in fish that regulates their buoyancy, or their position in the water column. This may seem like it has nothing to do with reproduction, but burbot also use their swim bladder to make sounds! Burbot have drumming muscles that beat on their swim bladders and create rapid, low-pitched vocalizations that sound like a motorcycle revving. These burbot could form an amazing drumline! Vocalizations in burbot are not well-studied, but scientists believe that drumming is a spawning behaviour in burbot, since the organ grows leading up to the spawning season. In Atlantic Cod, males that can drum louder and longer are more successful at attracting mates; this may be true for burbot as well. Between December to May, lake-dwelling burbot migrate at night to shallow waters and small streams to spawn. Since spawning occurs at night when visibility is poor, burbot do not develop any visual cues for spawning, like changes in colour or size. This is another reason why drumming may be a key part of their spawning rituals, since you don’t need to see to hear! Burbot are well camouflaged year round While many other fish will defend mates or territories during the spawning season, burbot are relatively peaceful fish, and do not fight with each other. Instead, dozens of individuals will come together in a big, squirming burbot ball to spawn. Female burbot in these spawning balls may release up to 3,000,000 eggs each! After spawning, these small eggs are carried with the current until they settle to the bottom of the lake or stream, and hatch 1-3 months later. After another 2-8 years of growing, these burbot will be ready for some winter loving of their own!

By Lili-Maude Craig, Fisheries Technician, and Evan Tichonuk, Fisheries Technician In spring, while mindlessly swimming down the Oldman River in southern Alberta, you followed the flow of water through the unscreened headgates of a diversion on the river. This diversion conveys water into an 88 km long irrigation canal that supplies water throughout the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District. You moved downstream through the gate of a check structure and unintentionally made a home of a deep pool below it. Since you were unable to make your way back upstream, you spent all summer here in the canal. It is now October, an unseasonably warm October that has you oblivious to the changes soon to come. Canal operators are preparing to close the headgates of the canal to ensure they can conduct regular maintenance during the winter months and prevent damage to the structures from ice jams. When the headgates are shut, water is no longer being supplied to the canal, and water levels drop as the canal continues to drain. Seeps and precipitation will still provide the canal with water, though not enough to sustain those left stranded like you throughout the winter. A few days go by, and you and several hundred other fish congregate in the deepest section you can find once the flow to the canal is finally cut off. You watch as others get picked off by gulls and larger fish, hoping neither becomes your fate. Lucky for you, a group of people with tubs, nets, and what you can only describe as “proton packs” from “Ghostbusters”, make their way down the banks and into the canal. They begin to wade towards you, and before you know it, you undergo “galvanotaxis” and are scooped out of the water by a swift netter, placed into a tub and transported out of the canal to be processed. You are then identified to species, counted on a tally sheet, and put into an oxygenated holding tank before being released back into the Oldman River. You are a 52 mm Spoonhead Sculpin, one of 1,294 fish captured from “LNHC 2” on October 14th, 2022, during Trout Unlimited Canada’s annual Fish Rescue. A total of 21,365 fish were rescued across all sites at the Lethbridge Northern Headworks Canal; across all of the four irrigation canals sampled, 72,055 fish (except aquatic invasive species) were rescued and released back into their source rivers. For comparison, that is almost as many fish as caught in 21 years of Fish Rescue at the Western Headworks Canal (74,804) and nearly 20,000 more fish than what has ever been captured in 17 years of rescue efforts at the Waterton-Belly Diversion Canal (55,231). A total of 1,079,668 fish have been captured from 1998 to this date. Crunching the NumbersSpeciesWHCCBRHCLNHCWBDTotalPercentage of total (%)Sportfish BLTR004040.0%BNTR279281,025171,9972.8%BURB04279850.1%LKTR000110.0%LKWH1026786810.9%MNWH3,2762,5854,5843210,47714.5%NRPK002613390.1%RNTR11,28056531,8492.6%YLPR801200920.1% Total Sport Fish3,3854,8096,20882315,22521.1%% Sport Fish8.3%55.1%29.1%63.7%Non-Sportfish BRST622370920.1%EMSH007070.0%FTMN4075811240.2%LKCH4421037388331.2%LNDC7822,1688841063,9405.5%LNSC2,5829783,1672216,9489.6%MNSC2319143590.1%PRCR340070.0%PRDC300030.0%SPSC3770438318461.2%TRPR32113741110.2%WHSC1,85562310,2462612,75017.7% Total Non-Sportfish6,1723,92115,15747025,72035.7%% Non-Sportfish15.2%44.9%70.9%36.3%Unknown UNKN31,11000031,11043.2% Total Unknown31,11000031,11043.2%% Unknown76%0%0%0%Total40,6678,73021,3651,29372,055100.0% This year, sportfish made up 21.1% of the total Fish Rescue catch. The most abundant sportfish species encountered were Mountain Whitefish, Brown Trout, and Rainbow Trout, accounting for 14.5%, 2.8%, and 2.6% of the total catch, respectively. White Sucker and Longnose Sucker were the most abundant non-sportfish species, representing 17.7% and 9.6% of the total catch, respectively. Approximately 43.2% of fish rescued could not be identified. These unidentified fish were captured at the Western Headworks Canal, where there were significantly higher than anticipated volumes of fish. They needed to be transferred en masse, by hand, back to the Bow River due to time constraints. These fish were therefore recorded as “unknown” species. Featured Fish Records were broken this year when a 1,001 mm Lake Trout was caught at the Waterton-Belly Diversion Canal (WBD). This Lake Trout is the biggest fish ever recorded in Fish Rescue history. Other impressive catches from this year’s rescue efforts include a 750 mm Bull Trout (one of four captured at the Lethbridge Northern Headworks Canal), a 710 mm Northern Pike, and a 685 mm Burbot. A 346 mm Prussian Carp was caught at the Carseland-Bow River Headworks Canal, the largest of this species captured at a Fish Rescue to date. Let’s not forget the monster Trout-perch measuring 85 mm that was also caught at the WBD canal (unfortunately outshone by the Lake Trout). Volunteer Abundance Over ten days of fieldwork, 137 volunteers contributed 1093 hours of effort. Fish Rescue has been able to take place year after year, largely because of the help provided by dedicated volunteers. New volunteers, volunteers joining for multiple days of rescues, and volunteers who have participated in this project for numerous years all play a significant role in minimizing the impacts of fish entrainment in southern Alberta’s irrigation canals. TUC is also grateful for the Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation (AAI) staff who assisted with the 2022 Fish Rescue. This includes support in the field with fish capture and processing, fish holding and release, and providing space to decontaminate gear to prevent the spread of whirling disease and other aquatic invasive species. Thank you to all involved in making the 24th Annual Fish Rescue possible! We hope to see you again next year! Photo Credit: David Bradford

The Strategic Watershed Action Team (SWAT) program is a clean water project created to help improve water quality through the development and restoration of natural infrastructure in southern Ontario. Over the last 10 years the program has been run under different funding to meet various program objectives. During the 2022-2023 season, the team implemented low-impact stream rehabilitation measures such as bioengineering, riparian plantings, and stream clean-ups. As well as create in-stream habitat, restore stream meander, and perform community electrofishing surveys. These projects were funded through in-kind donations and supporting grants. The projects completed in 2022-2023 were achieved by working in collaboration with Trout Unlimited Canada Chapters, communities, and partners. Test 2 Figure 1: Strategic Watershed Action Team (From left to right: Heidi, Mike, Chris, and Sara) In the 2022-2023 season, the Strategic Watershed Action Team (SWAT) consisted of four members (See Figure 1). The SWAT crew was led by Christopher Borowski, the crew members were Michael McKenzie, Heidi Poca, and Sara Jose. Over the course of the 2022-2023 SWAT season many different project types were completed by the crew. Below is a table featuring the metrics achieved by the SWAT crew this season, and a couple highlighted projects completed by the SWAT crew. The Town Pond Dam Sediment Mat Project: The Town Pond Dam was a concrete and earthen dam on Armstrong Creek, a tributary of the Rocky Saugeen River. In the spring of 2020, the dam was removed to allow for the connection of the Rocky Saugeen River habitat with the cold-water tributary Armstrong Creek. As the stream continues to carve a path through the sediment left behind from the pond, it has begun to split into multiple channels (See Figure 2). A sediment mat was installed within the left most channel facing downstream. The goal of this mat is to slow the flow and catch the sediment moving through this channel to concentrate flow into one channel. This sediment mat was made using 170 donated Christmas trees that were to TUC, along with wooden stakes and natural twine. This installed sediment mat will assist in defining the centre channel, by increasing flow and scouring the centre channel to improve connectivity (See Figure 3). Figure 2: Town Pond Dam Site Pre-Sediment Mat Figure 3: Town Pond Dam Site Post-Sediment Mat Ancaster Creek Wing Deflector: Ancaster Creek is a stream home to various cold-water species. Ancaster creek runs through a forest which has been heavily influenced by human activities causing significant deregulation in flow, over widening of sections, and woody debris jams forming . While some woody debris jams are good, in this context it increases the warming of the creek by slowing the water and causing sedimentation. Some areas were becoming so blocked that flooding was occurring and the stream was rerouting trying to form a new channel (See Figure 4). Clearing woody debris jams is important to the last few surviving cold water species present in Ancaster Creek, who may become locally extinct if they cannot find cool enough water to hide in. SWAT and the Hamilton Conservation Authority were able to restore 3170m2 of stream. Excessive woody debris jams were removed, immediately improving the flow of water, and removing any barriers that prevented fish passage. A wing deflector was also built to improve connectivity and to help create a more defined channel (See Figure 5). Figure 4: Ancaster Creek Channel Rerouting Figure 5: Ancaster Creek Post Wing Deflector Trout Unlimited Canada and the Strategic Watershed Action Team would like to extend our sincere thanks to Environment & Climate Change Canada for the opportunity to complete this important work using the EcoAction Community funding grant.

In August and October 2023, Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC) held four workdays with Canon Canada as part of Canon’s national Branch Out program and TUC’s Corporate Environment Day program. Events were held in Calgary, Edmonton, Brantford, and Richmond and led by TUC staff with support from local partners. TUC is grateful for the continuing support provided to TUC through the Branch Out program as it helps us to achieve our mission of conserving, protecting, and restoring Canada’s freshwater ecosystems and resources. Below is a summary of the activities completed and the outcomes of the 2023 program. Calgary, AB: On August 21, Canon staff participated in invasive weed pulling at the mouth of Nose Creek and next to the Bow River on the Bow River Pathway. The Bow River is an important waterbody that is home to many native species of fish, invertebrates, birds, mammals, and plant species. The Bow River Pathway is used year-round by recreationalists that can enjoy aesthetically pleasing views of nature and the city. Unfortunately, the Bow River Pathway is overrun by non-native and invasive plant species, including common tansy and burdock. Over 20 employees from the Calgary Canon team worked hard to cut, pull, and bag these noxious weeds. An area of approximately 2000 m2 was covered, and 50 large bags of invasive plants were collected and sent to be disposed of properly by the City of Calgary. Richmond, BC: On August 24, Canon Canada staff cleaned up garbage in Tait Riverfront Community Park, Richmond. The park is next to the Fraser River that is home to a myriad of native plant, mammal, and fish species including salmon and sturgeon. Picking up garbage in this area helps to preserve the park’s natural beauty and reduce the amount of litter that enters the river and eventually into the Pacific Ocean. The Canon Richmond team cleaned 1.3 km of shoreline along the Fraser River including over approximately 1000 cigarette butts that were collected and disposed of properly. Brantford, ON: On August 28, staff from Canon Canada’s London, Hamilton, and Kitchener offices came together at the Apps’ Mills Nature Centre on Whiteman’s Creek. This river is an important spawning system for many migratory fish species; however, the surrounding forest was being colonized by invasive Buckthorn, which out competes other native and beneficial plants and can lead to increased erosion which is harmful to fish habitat and water quality. The volunteers from Canon successfully cleared 3700 m2 of forest of Buckthorn, ranging from small, freshly sprouted saplings to mature individuals over 15 feet tall. This work has prevented Buckthorn from taking over the forest and helps to preserve the health and biodiversity of the Nature Centre. This event also provided an opportunity to recognize the Ontario Trillium Foundation, who has provided financial support enabling Trout Unlimited Canada to develop and grow our Corporate Environment Days program. Local MPP, Will Bouma, was in attendance and shared some words of encouragement for the volunteers at the start of the workday. Edmonton, AB: On October 3, Canon Canada’s Edmonton staff planted native trees and shrubs with TUC and the City of Edmonton’s Root for Trees program. The tree planting took place next to Whitemud Drive Northwest, in the community of Lymburn. The site is on a slope that was built as a noise barrier from the road. The site is filled with non-native grasses that have taken over. The goal of the project is to revegetate the slope with the benefits including wind break, noise reduction, natural aesthetics, providing habitat for wildlife, and reduction of water runoff. Canon helped plant 153 native plants in an area of approximately 500 m2.

Restoring Riparian Refuges: Part 1 – Building Resilience to Climate Change Climate change is a present and growing threat to our ecosystems and coldwater streams across Canada. The impacts of climate change can include reduced snowpack, which will result in reduced volume and altered timing of peak stream flows; more frequent and more severe flood and drought events; higher water temperatures that will threaten coldwater species like trout; and changes to soil moisture and groundwater recharge that influence stream flow rates. These and other expected impacts of climate change can place additional stress on streams and riparian habitats that have already been degraded by development, logging, and agricultural practices. Intact riparian zones are highly productive ecosystems, which provide essential services and resources for both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. These services include food and habitat, sediment and nutrient capture, water temperature regulation, and so much more. The trees and plants found within riparian zones are adapted to natural disturbance, such as spring floods and summer low-flow periods, which makes these ecosystems potentially more resilient to the expected disruptions from climate change. The built-in resilience of riparian ecosystems makes them ideal candidates for protection and restoration to serve as refuge for vulnerable wildlife and plant species, while also helping human communities adapt to climate change. How Riparian Zones Can Be Climate Change Refuge Corridors – Riparian areas connect land and water ecosystems, and they also connect upland ecosystems with those downstream. Wildlife and plants have evolved within habitats that have particular resources, such as food, microclimates, and relationships with other organisms. As habitats are disrupted, species may be pressured to migrate to other areas that can meet their needs, but there may be natural or human-made barriers to their movement. The connectivity that riparian zones offer may provide migration pathways for animal and plant species as they move to more suitable habitats. Thermal Refugia (Heat Buffers) – On a hot day, you may find yourself drawn to shady spaces and waterbodies. Likewise, riparian areas act as heat buffers for plant and animal species, providing refuge from higher temperatures. The higher water content found in riparian areas absorbs heat while trees and other vegetation shade streams and rivers from sunlight, which, along with ground water inputs keeps the water cool for temperature-sensitive species like trout. Builds Biodiversity – In connecting land and water ecosystems, riparian areas make each more productive and support many different plant, animal, and insect species. For example, terrestrial plants trap sediment during floods by slowing water flow and allowing the sediment to settle in place, this in turn adds nutrients to the soil and improves conditions for tree and plant growth. The streamside trees and shrubs in turn provide woody debris for aquatic invertebrates and these emerging aquatic insects provide food for birds and bats. Intact and restored riparian areas have many of these mutually supportive land/water relationships that can increase the likelihood of species survival in the face of climate change disruptions. Protects Biodiversity – Riparian zones are also structurally complex, that is the various plant communities form several different layers that can include ground cover (moss, ferns), low and high shrubs (Red-osier Dogwood, Bebb’s Willow), tree understory (Sassafras, Ironwood), and tree over story (Cottonwoods, Black Willow). The many layers present in a healthy riparian area provide habitat niches for a diversity of wildlife and insect species. For example, bird species like American Woodcock can be found on the ground hunting for worms among tree roots, while Wood Thrushes and Northern Cardinals seek out food in the shrubby understory, Northern Flickers and Red-headed woodpeckers seek out or create nesting cavities in the low tree canopy layer, and Blue Jays and Eastern Wood Peewee establish nests in the highest canopy layer. The more complex the structure, including age difference as well as vertical layers, the more diverse the wildlife a riparian area (or forest) can accommodate. A structurally complex riparian zone can also act as a barrier to invasive species by denying them a niche to infiltrate and shading out non-native pioneering species. As we have seen, healthy riparian zones hold great potential to provide refuge from the present and anticipated impacts of climate change by their inherent resilience to flood and drought, their connectivity between land and water and upland sites to downstream sites, their many and complex relationships between aquatic and terrestrial species, and their structural complexity providing habitat for a wide diversity of wildlife species and acting as a barrier to invasive species. In future installments we will look at other ways restored and intact riparian areas can mitigate and provide refuge to the impacts of climate change, and how they can help protect human communities from these threats.

Figure 1: Millpond Dam facing Upstream (November 2023) Like many communities in Ontario, the town of Lucknow owes part of its history to the establishment of a mill pond. The Mill Pond Dam in Lucknow, ON was first built in 1856 to support an adjacent wool mill and powered other businesses as ownership changed hands over the years. It has been many years since the Mill Pond dam in Lucknow has been used for power generation. And, like other small dams, the Lucknow Mill Pond dam is now at or near the end of its lifespan. The pond has filled with sediment and the concrete spillway has started to erode and crumble. The dam is owned by Morten Jakobson, who runs his business Protekta on the adjacent property. After a chunk of concrete on the west wall of the spillway broke off and fell inward in 2012, Morten began exploring opportunities to have the dam repaired but because the foundation of the dam was in such poor condition, this was deemed not viable. Morten then reached out to the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority for advice who suggested contacting Trout Unlimited Canada as we have experience with small dam removal and stream rehabilitation. Ecological Issues Figure 2: 2023 Water Temperatures from Above and Below the Mill Pond TUC became interested in the project for the opportunity to restore water quality, aquatic habitat, and natural stream processes. Fisheries sampling was conducted and stream temperature monitoring was carried out to assess the current conditions. The sampling revealed that water flows coming out of the pond were generally warmer than water coming into the pond. This is not surprising considering the pond is wide and shallow and since it takes time for water to flow through the pond, there is ample opportunity for the sun to warm the water, especially during the hot summer months. This is particularly concerning for fish and aquatic animals that are sensitive to temperature, like Brook Trout. During fisheries sampling, TUC’s crews found Brook Trout heavily reliant on small pockets of habitat where groundwater comes into Dickies Creek. Not only is the temperate an issue in and of itself, but warmer water contains less dissolved oxygen which is critical to the survival of fish, aquatic invertebrates, and amphibians. Brook Trout can be seen as “canaries in the coal mine” – because they are sensitive to environmental change, they act as indicators of ecosystem health. Supporters Since becoming involved in the project, TUC has received grant funding from the Ontario government’s Great Lakes Local Action Fund and from Bass Pro and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund to support the project. Funds have been used to hire Palmer, part of SLR, to develop conceptual designs for dam decommissioning. Funding is also being used to support project management and community information sharing. Additional funds will need to be secured for dam decommissioning and associated stream rehabilitation. Engineering and Design In late 2023 Palmer surveyed the site to collect bathymetry data, sediment samples and measurements, and stream profile data that is being used to inform design options. As of February 2024, design is ongoing. Community Engagement In May 2023, TUC and Morten held a “come and go” community meeting at Protekta during which community members had an opportunity to see the dam, meet TUC’s professional staff, and hear about some of the ecological, safety, and liability concerns with the dam and pond. During the meeting community members also shared their concerns about the fate of the dam and pond. A second community information session was held in January 2024 at the Lucknow Community Centre. At the meeting TUC staff provided background information on the project and shared case studies of other dam removal and stream rehabilitation projects that TUC has led and been involved with. The lead engineer from Palmer working on the project presented their work to date and two high level design options being considered. If you would like to be added to a mailing list to be kept informed of this project, please CLICK HERE . Next Steps and Decision Making Conceptual engineering designs will be completed in the coming weeks and another community meeting is planned for early spring 2024 to share project updates and designs. Designs will also allow TUC to move forward with regulatory permit applications. It is unknown how long the dam will last. A major storm or rainfall event could pose significant risk to the integrity of the structure. A dam failure would put residential homes, businesses, and infrastructure at risk. Significant environmental damage from uncontrolled sediment release, flooding, and erosion could also occur if the dam failed. Ultimately, all liability and decision making associated with the dam rests with the landowner. TUC will continue to explore funding opportunities to support dam removal to meet shared goals of reducing safety, environmental, and liability risks. Disclaimer: This project has received funding support from the Government of Ontario. Such support does not indicate endorsement by the Government of Ontario of the contents of this material. To read TUC’s policy on small dam removal, CLICK HERE.

Trout Creek is situated in the Porcupine Hills Public Land Use Zone (PLUZ) of Southwestern Alberta, and until recently, was home to a healthy population of Westslope Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus lewisi . Trout Creek represented a special population as it was one of the easternmost watersheds containing the species, and had no alpine drainages, relying entirely on snowmelt and rainfall-driven runoff and groundwater inputs, largely through many small springs found throughout the watershed. Over the decades, Trout Creek has been impacted by a multitude of industrial, recreational, and agricultural impacts which can result in changes to the timing and magnitude of stream flow, and in the quality of habitats available for fish and wildlife. Between 2015 and 2022, fish populations in Trout Creek experienced a steep crash, resulting in no fish detections in 2024. Freshwater Conservation Canada has been working in this watershed to protect the few remaining individuals, and to rehabilitate habitat so that these fish can be reintroduced into the watershed in the next several years. To achieve this vision, several activities were completed in 2025, described in detail here. Habitat rehabilitation 2024 was another busy year in the Trout Creek watershed, with implementation of low-tech process-based restoration (LTPBR), namely beaver dam analogues (BDA) installed along Kingbolt Creek, Minor Coulee Creek and Trout Creek. In total, 3 new structures were constructed in the headwaters of Trout Creek, 7 new structures were built on Minor Coulee Creek, and 7 new structures were installed on Kingbolt Creek in addition to some maintenance and repairs of the 11 BDA's built in 2023. These structures will help to retain spring runoff and force this water up onto abandoned floodplains, rehydrating valley bottom soils and helping willows and other riparian plants to regrow and support future beaver activity. one of several beaver dam analogues (BDAs) built along Kingbolt Creek in spring 2024. BDAs work to slow the water down, forcing it up onto floodplains and soaking the valley bottom soils with spring runoff. In May of 2024, we had the opportunity to see how the structures built in fall 2023 were performing during spring runoff. We were so excited to see that they were ponding water and soaking all the valley bottom soils. This soil storage of water is critical in maintaining flow into the hot and dry summer months, even if it just adds a few days to a week of water to the “savings account”, this can be the difference between going completely dry and staying wet between rain events. We’ll be back in the watershed in 2025 to build more BDA's and ensure that the ones we have built already are functioning well and holding spring runoff. In addition to LTPBR, we also completed riparian planting at several off-highway vehicle (OHV) crossings that were decommissioned in 2023 and replaced with new bridges and trail sections. Preventing the spread of invasive fish species In fall 2024, Freshwater Conservation Canada contracted AJM Environmental and Cascade Water Resources to survey the lower end of Trout Creek within the Public Land Use Zone and identify potential locations for a suitable location to implement a fish passage barrier. This is necessary to prevent invasion of the upper watershed by Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss  and Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis , which are both threats to the recovery and persistence of Westslope Cutthroat Trout in this watershed. Ensuring that these species do not colonize the watershed within the PLUZ is critical in enabling future reintroductions, without the need to remove these fish prior to. Several potential sites were identified, including a bedrock constriction which could potentially be enhanced to create an impassable barrier. We will continue investigating potential options and moving this important action forward. Trail system improvements No new trail system improvements were completed by Freshwater Conservation Canada in 2024, but we continued to work on planning for replacement of the lower Kingbolt Creek trail with a new truck bridge and road access to the range rider cabin along Kingbolt Creek, to ensure that grazing allotment holders can access their infrastructure safely and sustainably. We expect the new bridge to be in place in late summer/early fall 2025. In addition, the Government of Alberta Recreation Management Team helped make some needed changes to the new trail section upstream of Minor Coulee Creek, which had one hill section that was overly steep and impassable when wet.  one of several OHV bridges installed in 2023, a year later they are looking good! With a little help from our friends None of our work to date would be possible without financial and in-kind support from a long list of partners and funders. For 2024, the funders for project work along Trout Creek included grants from the Land Stewardship Center of Canada’s Watershed Stewardship Grant, the Alberta Conservation Association’s Conservation Community and Education Grant, the Government of Alberta’s Watershed Restoration and Resiliency Program, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s EcoAction Grant, and the Alberta EcoTrust Foundation. Additional funding support was provided by Peters and Co. AJM Environmental, and in-kind support from the MD of Ranchlands – who have been very helpful all throughout the project’s lifespan. The project benefited greatly from support from a number of partners who helped with workdays or provided in-kind support, including Plains Midstream Canada, the Oldman Watershed Council, Cows and Fish, the GOA Rec Management Team, and the MD of Ranchlands.

A Look at the 2024 COTTUS Project and the Fight to Protect the Rocky Mountain Sculpin Tucked away in the cool, clear waters of Alberta’s upper St. Mary watershed, a tiny, unassuming fish is making waves in the conservation world—meet the Rocky Mountain Sculpin. This bottom-dwelling wonder is a master of disguise, blending seamlessly into the rocky streambeds it calls home. But despite its expert camouflage, the sculpin faces a very real threat from habitat degradation. That’s where the COTTUS Project, Conserving Our Threatened Teleosts, or commonly called Sculpins, comes in! Rocky Mountain Sculpin - Matthew Wallace A Year of Discovery and Action 2024 was a busy year for the COTTUS team, as we worked to better understand and protect sculpin habitat in Lee Creek and Tough Creek, two smaller cold-water tributaries where these guys thrive. COTTUS in 2024 started off with salmonid stream surveys (because, let’s be honest, trout get a lot of attention too), followed by dedicated sculpin surveys. These involved everything from electrofishing (a method to safely catch and count fish) to measuring habitat features like flow rates, water quality, and streambed composition. The goal? To fill in critical knowledge gaps and ensure these pint-sized fish get the protection they deserve. The Habitat Challenge Like a game of ecological dominos, small changes in the environment can have big consequences for aquatic species. Trails, for example, might seem harmless, but decades of off-highway vehicle (OHV) use in the Pole Haven Grazing Lease (PHGL) have compacted soil, funneled sediment into creeks, and widened stream channels. Cattle grazing has added to the challenge, preventing vegetation from taking root along damaged banks. With the Government of Alberta reopening parts of the PHGL to summer OHV use in 2024, it became even more crucial to manage these impacts. That’s why Freshwater Conservation Canada’s COTTUS team paired up with Leaf Ninjas (yes, that’s a real group of restoration experts!) to assess and propose trail realignments. The plan? Move problem trails out of floodplains, reduce unnecessary stream crossings, and help the land recover. Over 20 km of trails were assessed, with over 2 km recommended for realignment. Giving the Land a Helping Hand While nature is great at healing itself, sometimes it needs a little boost. This year, restoration efforts included installing new waterers for cattle to reduce their need to drink from the creek, fencing off sensitive riparian areas, and planting over 300 willows and cottonwoods to stabilize eroding banks. An off-stream waterer A new bridge was also installed on Tough Creek to keep traffic out of sensitive aquatic habitats, and two rig mats (essentially, heavy-duty wooden crossings) were placed to eliminate the need for vehicles to ford streams. The new bridge installed Even with all these efforts, challenges remain. The PHGL landscape is still dealing with the long-term impacts of old OHV trails, cattle compaction, and historic habitat damage. But progress is being made, and each new initiative brings us closer to a healthier watershed. The Rocky Mountain Sculpin: More Than Just a Tiny Fish Why go through all this effort for a fish most people have never seen? Because the Rocky Mountain Sculpin is a vital part of Alberta’s aquatic ecosystems. It may not be flashy like some trout, but it plays a key role in the food web and serves as an indicator of stream health. The presence of sculpins means the water is clean and the habitat is functioning as it should. Our 2024 fisheries assessments revealed that sculpins are thriving in previously undocumented reaches of Lee Creek and Tough Creek. This exciting discovery has led Freshwater Conservation Canada to recommend Tough Creek be designated as critical habitat for the species—a huge step toward long-term protection. Looking Ahead to 2025 and Beyond The work doesn’t stop here! In 2025-2026, the COTTUS team will continue advancing habitat restoration in the PHGL, trail realignments, and expanding riparian rehabilitation efforts. Public awareness will also be a big focus, with new signage planned for key areas, including the Town of Cardston, to educate locals and visitors on the importance of Alberta’s native fish. By continuing these efforts, we hope to ensure that the Rocky Mountain Sculpin—and the ecosystems it relies on—are here to stay. After all, some treasures aren’t meant to be found easily; they’re meant to be protected. Want to Get Involved? Keep an eye out for volunteer opportunities with Freshwater Conservation Canada and remember that responsible recreation goes a long way in protecting Alberta’s aquatic habitats. Whether you’re hiking, fishing, or exploring, small actions can make a big difference for these hidden underwater gems! Lee Creek – Matthew Wallace

Freshwater Conservation Canada has written to Alberta Energy and Minerals Minister Brian Jean, expressing concern about recent updates to Alberta's coal policy. In particular, Ministerial Order 03/2025, issued in January, rescinds a moratorium on coal development that had been in place since 2022. This is a serious concern as it threatens the headwaters of many of Alberta’s rivers and streams. The moratorium had been in place since 2022, as recommended by the Coal Policy Committee, which engaged broadly with Albertans and provided several recommendations in their report , which was released in December 2021. The first recommendation in the report is to develop a modernized coal policy. Although Minister Jean announced a Coal Industry Modernization Initiative  in December 2024, a modernized coal policy is far from complete. Rescinding the moratorium is inappropriate as it presupposes the contents of a new policy and is being done before addressing several of the other recommendations of the Committee. We have asked Minister Jean for the following: Re-establish a moratorium on coal mine exploration and development in the eastern slopes Complete regional and subregional plans are under the Land Use Framework and the Alberta Land Stewardship Act. Resolve uncertainties regarding responsibility for reclamation liabilities relating to coal exploration and development activities. Address reclamation liabilities for legacy coal mines Prioritize our environment's integrity and long-term health, which provides essential and irreplaceable ecosystem services and economic benefits. Much of Freshwater Conservation Canada’s work is focused on restoration, which is a critical investment towards improving the resilience of our watersheds, improving water quality and recovery of species at risk. However, ecological restoration is much more costly than preventing damage and impossible, where the damage takes aquatic ecosystems past the point of repair. Healthy headwaters are critically important for biodiversity, resilience to the impacts of climate change, recreational opportunities, human health and livelihoods. A copy of our letter can be found below: Additional resources can be found here: Government of Alberta - Coal Policy Engagement: https://www.alberta.ca/coal-policy-engagement Government of Alberta - Coal: https://www.alberta.ca/coal   Oldman Watershed Council - Frequently Asked Questions About Coal Mining: https://oldmanwatershed.ca/blog-posts/2025/2/3/owccoalfaq2025 Alberta Wilderness Association (various resources): https://albertawilderness.ca/ West Country Sustainability Coalition (two-page flyer): https://static1.squarespace.com/static/60c110f622ae60116aea72db/t/67b7bb29652c6e2fe9ad46d1/1740094255583/2025+WCSC+FLYER_sm.pdf

Explore our educational kits and supplies.   At Freshwater Conservation Canada , we believe that education is critical to preserving and protecting our most precious natural resource—freshwater. Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, or a community leader, we’re here to help you inspire the next generation to connect with and better understand the importance of freshwater ecosystems. We offer a variety of educational kits and supplies designed to foster connection and inspire action. Whether you’re interested in exploring water chemistry, aquatic invertebrates, or the connection of urban stormwater to local rivers, our hands-on materials are engaging, informative, and fun. What’s available? Yellow Fish Road kits and supplies Our award-winning Yellow Fish Road™ program engages Canada’s youth, community groups, environmental organizations, families, and individuals in protecting our water. Yellow Fish Road centers around painting yellow fish next to storm drains and the words “rain only” while distributing yellow fish-shaped door hangers in the community. Program participants and community members alike learn that storm drains are the gateways to our local rivers, streams, and wetlands and what steps they can take to protect these local waters. Curious Kids Discover Imagine a world where playing cards not only entertains but also educates and inspires curiosity! As we face environmental challenges and the urgent need to adapt to climate change, it's more crucial than ever to instill in our younger generation a deep appreciation for nature and a sense of responsibility toward conserving our precious freshwater resources. Curious Kids Discover kits come in three different models, including beautifully illustrated and informative card decks featuring 12 freshwater invertebrates across Canada. Each card is packed with fun facts, identification tips and general information. The basic and VIP kits include additional tools for a young naturalist to start exploring.