Oakvillegreen Conservation Association

We’re pleased to announce that Oakvillegreen Conservation Association is one of the recipients of funding from the Invasive Species Centre’s 2026–2027 Invasive Species Action Fund (ISAF)! Our Friend or Foe project will offer hands-on learning opportunities to help residents identify and remove invasive species, understand their ecological impacts, and prevent their spread in their own yards and neighbourhoods. Through these invasive species removal events, the most lasting impact will come from the knowledge participants gain about the importance of native plants and their role in supporting pollinators and local wildlife. This increased awareness will encourage long-term community involvement in conservation efforts. To learn more about this year's ISAF recipients, visit https://lnkd.in/gd35w4-H.

The Oakville Community Foundation has officially opened 'Our Gathering Lodge' at the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre (QEPCCC) as a dedicated space for Indigenous community members. First envisioned in 2019 as part of Oakville’s Truth & Reconciliation efforts, the lodge strengthens relationships with local treaty and traditional Indigenous communities. Designed by Elder Peter Schuler of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the space reflects a traditional lodge, featuring rough‑pine shiplap walls, a dark night‑sky ceiling, and a custom mural by artist William Snyder that honours Indigenous culture. Oakvillegreen Conservation was honoured to be a part of the official opening of the space and in supporting the creation and planting of the new Indigenous Gathering Space gardens at QEPCCC in partnership with Oakville Community Foundation, the Town of Oakville, and with the support of Canadian Wildlife Federation / Fédération canadienne de la faune and community partners. At Oakvillegreen, we plant native species to honour the original ecosystems of this territory and to care for the land in ways that align with Indigenous teachings. Our restoration work is grounded in respect, recognizing that we are caretakers with responsibilities to the land. When we look at plants, we see relationships and interconnectedness. By restoring native habitats, we help create resilient, living spaces that support biodiversity, strengthen cultural connections, and foster long-term stewardship for future generations.  💚 Photo credits: Nikki Wesley

We were happy to join students at Sunningdale Public School today to help expand pollinator habitat on their school grounds. The Dreamacres project at Sunningdale, launched in 1997 by teacher Maggie Linton, transformed a traditional asphalt playground into a thriving naturalized landscape. The initiative added much-needed shade, outdoor classrooms, native gardens, and adventure spaces designed to foster environmental leadership among students. Students were involved from the very beginning, drawing pictures and writing stories about what they wanted their school grounds to look like. Among the parents helping bring that vision to life was Karen Brock, now Oakvillegreen President, who was an active member of the school committee that created the project, the first of its kind in Halton. Beyond its ecological benefits, the schoolyard has become a source of immense pride for students. The garden not only supports biodiversity but also provides a welcoming space for learning, socializing, and enjoying the outdoors, with seating and shade during recess and lunch breaks. The area remains alive with pollinator activity thanks to the dedicated efforts of school staff, students, and volunteers who care for the site throughout the school year. During the summer months, Oakvillegreen is happy to support stewardship activities by bringing youth volunteers to help maintain and enhance the habitat. A big thank you to teacher Rebecca Czarnecki, her Eco Club, and teacher Maria for keeping the dream alive! Seeing students continue to care for and expand this special space is a testament to the project's enduring impact.

We are excited to announce support from the Trans Canada Trail | Sentier Transcanadien for our upcoming Fall 2026 planting, which will see 500 native trees added to local green spaces. We are very grateful for this support, which will help strengthen local biodiversity, provide important habitat for wildlife, and bring lasting benefits to the community. #ThankYouTCT

Thank you to the Lions Club of Oakville for joining us today to plant native berry-producing shrubs and participate in our plant ID walk at Valleyridge Park. A heartfelt thank you to the Lions Club for their generous $3,000 donation in support of our programs that protect nature in Oakville. We are grateful for their commitment to our community and look forward to continuing our partnership to make a lasting positive impact together!  As Oakville continues to grow, with its population increasing by 10% over the past decade, pressures on green spaces and natural habitats have intensified. Restoring native vegetation, especially at sites like Valleyridge Park, which lies within the 14 Mile Creek watershed, is essential to protecting the creek’s sensitive ravine ecosystem and supporting local bird species. Since 2022, the 14 Mile Creek extension in Oakville has been designated as part of Ontario’s Greenbelt as an Urban River Valley, meaning it is recognized for its ecological importance and is protected under the Greenbelt’s objectives of preservation, conservation, and recreation. Our planting events at this site are part of our larger long-term restoration project, focusing on improving ecological connectivity within the Greenbelt’s urban valley system while enhancing water quality, stormwater management, and biodiversity, including support for species at risk. DID YOU KNOW? Native berry-producing shrubs are ecological powerhouses. In fall, their nutrient- and fat-rich berries fuel more than 60 bird species in Ontario. In spring, their nectar-rich blossoms support a wide range of native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Those insects then become vital food for birds like flycatchers and swallows, linking these shrubs directly to the broader food web. Beyond food, these shrubs add essential structure to the landscape. Their dense branches offer safe nesting sites and shelter from predators and harsh weather, benefits that open lawns and sparse gardens simply cannot provide. By mimicking the complexity of natural ecosystems, layered planting turns even small spaces into vibrant, resilient communities where biodiversity can flourish.

Last week, we were joined by the Aviva Canada team at Oak Park to plant 120 native shrubs and trees, including nannyberry, meadowsweet, arrowwood, elderberry, red osier dogwood, glaucous willow, serviceberry, chokecherry, fragrant sumac, flowering raspberry, and ninebark. These native plants will help enhance local biodiversity, provide food and habitat for wildlife, and contribute to the long-term health and resilience of the park's ecosystem. Thank you Aviva Canada for supporting nature in Oakville. Across the country, Aviva employees have contributed more than 21,000 volunteer hours and helped plant over 14,000 trees, as well as 2,000 wildflowers, demonstrating a commitment to strengthening community climate resilience. We look forward to continuing our partnership and building on this impact together.

We have been so inspired and had so much fun working with the students and staff at Rotherglen School - Oakville Elementary Campus this spring! This Monday marked a true highlight: the planting of the school’s very own Miyawaki mini forest, with all students taking part and learning all about it. We explored biodiversity on forest walks, studied local ecosystems, and rolled up our sleeves for invasive species removal. These new native plant communities at the mini forest will connect beautifully with the 16 Mile Creek ravine, expanding habitat, supporting wildlife, and creating a living classroom for years to come. The whole-school engagement has been incredible to witness, and the learning opportunities are endless. We are deeply grateful for the leadership of teacher champion Noreen Sami and for the warm welcome from all staff and administration. Partnerships like this show what’s possible when a school community comes together to care for nature and each other. 💚

Last Sunday, Human Nature Projects Canada (HNP) volunteers joined us at Kingsford Gardens to support biodiversity through planting natives and helping with site maintenance. Together, volunteers removed 17 bags of unwanted plants and added 140 native perennials, including asters, mountain mint, pearly everlasting, and milkweed. We are grateful to our project partner, HNP Ontario, for empowering youth to take action in support of local biodiversity. We look forward to continuing our collaboration! Thank you to Ward 3 Town Councillor Dave Gittings and Town and Regional Councillor Janet Haslett-Theall for joining us and for their ongoing support of Oakville's green spaces and community stewardship initiatives. As Councillor Janet Haslett-Theall shared, “Volunteering is a gift not only to the community but to ourselves.” We couldn't agree more! We thank all volunteers for joining us in nurturing our pollinator garden site.

A big thank you to the VelocityEHS team for joining us last week to plant 80 native trees and shrubs along McCraney Creek. This effort will help create a healthier, more biodiverse habitat for local wildlife while strengthening Oakville’s urban forest canopy. We’re grateful for your support and look forward to continuing our collaboration!

In May, we were joined by members of the Girl Guides of Canada and their families at Arbourview, where we planted 150 native trees and shrubs. It was heartwarming to see so many people planting their first tree! This event was made possible through the support of the Oakville Community Foundation via the Oakville Urban Tree Fund, as well as donations from 4EVERGREEN, a fundraising initiative organized by Grade 10 students Tiger, Andy, and James at Abbey Park High School, all contributing to a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy. Always grateful to all our supporters for their leadership and commitment to a healthier urban canopy. You can be part of Oakvillegreen’s mission to enhance and protect green spaces in Oakville by visiting oakvillegreen.org/donate.