Two Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities for Brooklyn Creek Supporters!
Brooklyn Creek Watershed Society is entering into the fourth year of restoration work at Birkdale Farm, working with the landowner Mr. Guy Sim and Current Environmental Ltd. With the instream work completed now, the work will be focussed on establishing native vegetation in the stream-side areas. This year, the re-planting work will be led by Elodie Roger of Origins Environmental. Elodie has identified two opportunities for our volunteers, listed below.
Please let us know by email if you plan to participate. We will post more information on meet-up points, clothing suggestions and other information closer to the start of the events.
October 15-16-17
During the planting series in October, volunteers will gain hands-on experience with riparian restoration while learning about the role healthy riparian areas play in supporting biodiversity and water quality. The activity will explore how to identify and choose native plants, the ecological reasons behind these choices, and the succession processes that follow planting. Volunteers will also learn about the role of mycorrhizal fungi in plant establishment, the challenges posed by invasive species, and how mulch can be used effectively to support native plants while suppressing weeds. This is a chance to contribute directly to habitat restoration while building ecological knowledge that applies to both wild and garden settings.
Late-January or February (tbd)
The bioengineering work later in the season will be a workshop-style opportunity focused on live staking techniques. Volunteers will walk through every step of the process, from selecting and harvesting suitable stems to preparing and planting them in the field. Along the way, they’ll gain exposure to the tools and techniques used in professional restoration, and an understanding of how live staking stabilizes banks, supports vegetation recovery, and creates habitat. This hands-on experience offers a unique way to learn by doing, while contributing to meaningful ecological outcomes in the watershed.
Mr. Sim standing by a new riffle structure installed at Birkdale Farm, summer 2025.
Please let us know by email if you plan to participate. We will post more information on meet-up points, clothing suggestions and other information closer to the start of the events.