West Credit Appreciation Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project

The West Credit River, emerging from the rich groundwater in Hillsburgh and Binkham, flowing through picturesque villages of Erin and Belfountain, tumbling over the Niagara Escarpment at historic Belfountain Conservation Area, it conjures images of wild beauty, natural areas and clean water. These images and the fundamental and urgent importance of this headwater resource have inspired a diverse group of citizens and organizations to take action. They have brought to life a project dedicated to the protection and enhancement the West Credit River and the land that feeds it: the West Credit watershed. The project has become known as The West Credit Appreciation, Rehabilitation and Enhancement project or WeCARE .

While rehabilitation initiatives on the Credit River have been active for over 20 years, the West Credit Appreciation, Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project ( WeCARE ) is a relatively recent development that partners many conservation groups towards one project. This project builds on the success of the Upper Credit River Rehabilitation Initiative (UCRRI 1997-2003) and focuses on the West Credit River Watershed.

In more ways than one this project will strive to go beyond traditional stream rehabilitation works: in truth it is really watershed renewal. As always a priority with this project is to make decisions grounded by sound scientific information. By considering the entire subwatershed the project will look to the extensive scientific study that has been undertaken by Credit Valley Conservation and their partners through the subwatershed planning process. This process like the WeCARE project is based on natural drainage boundaries rather than political boundaries.

WeCARE is generously supported by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. A total of $123,800 in funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation combined with funds and in-kind contributions from the project partners will allow this group to implement a dynamic work plan over the next 3 years. This multi-partner community initiative will work with watershed residents, believing that awareness and education of those who live, work and play in the watershed is the key to its resilience.