ReWilding Through Restoration is a program that encourages the regeneration of natural ecosystems within Fish Creek Provincial Park, allowing current and future generations of Albertans to reconnect with, and wonder at, Alberta’s natural beauty.
Many of the areas within the park suffer from the intensity of human use; this is particularly the case along the banks of Fish Creek. Park users who want to enjoy the park by being close to the creek often depart from designated paved pathways and inadvertently create new pathways along the banks; while we understand peoples’ desire to be close to water, we also know that, over time, new trails develop as more and more people make use of them. Eventually these areas become severely compacted, resulting in the loss of native vegetation and increased erosion of soil into the creek. Thus, a seemingly benign activity of walking near the creek can have highly negative impacts on the watershed as a whole.
ReWilding Through Restoration involves the planting of poplar trees and other native vegetation along the banks of Fish Creek in areas that have become degraded by human activity. Our ReWilding work serves to accelerate the natural processes along the creek, positively influencing the overall watershed health as vegetation quickly begins to grow and bring the system back into balance.
Friends of Fish Creek volunteers take part in the planting, maintenance and monitoring of the ReWilding sites until they are fully established.
This program is only possible with the hands on support of volunteers and through financial donations that allow us to purchase the necessary supplies and equipment to make it happen. Your financial support will allow us to ensure that ReWilding Through Restoration contributes to the long term sustainability of Fish Creek Provincial Park.
Together, ReWilding is possible!
Learn about the Friends Riparian Restoration program
Great Blue Heron, photo courtesy of Ken Pride
