Oshawa recycles holiday trees to help restore streams

The City of Oshawa has teamed up with the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) to help the environment by turning old holiday trees into important materials for restoring streams.

Holiday trees collected in January were delivered to CLOCA and are being used to stabilize stream banks, control erosion, collect sediment, and improve overall stream habitat and water quality at the Enniskillen Conservation Area.

This innovative approach falls under the practice of bioengineering, where woody structures crafted from recycled trees are strategically placed to increase the complexity of in-stream habitats for fish and wildlife species. The initiative promotes floodplain connectivity, creating healthier riverscapes and a more resilient local ecosystem.

Leading the way in Ontario

Although widely used in the U.S.A., post-assisted log structures (PALS) are a relatively new concept in Ontario. These low-tech, process-based techniques use locally sourced woody materials (e.g. trees) and untreated wooden posts to create structures that initiate natural processes, allowing streams to repair themselves.

CLOCA uses the PALS technique by strategically placing structures in conservation areas as part of its stream restoration program.

Remember: Don't toss your trees into streams on your own!

As we celebrate this project, community members are reminded not to dispose of woody materials in streams, as these actions could harm the City’s drainage and pipes. 

The City of Oshawa has a network of community parks, wildlife corridors, creeks, and marshes and is internationally recognized for its green spaces and gardens. Learn more about the City’s environmental initiatives.

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