Adopt-the-Creek

Through the Adopt-the-Creek Program, individuals, neighbourhood groups, schools, organizations and businesses can play an active and ongoing goal in cleaning, greening and maintaining Chippewa Creek along the EcoPath.

By participating in the Adopt-the-Creek program, you or your organization agrees to:

Clean-ups!

We ask you to keep your section of the Creek and the EcoPath clean of garbage and debris. Two community creek clean ups are planned for September as part of the Great Canadian Shoreline Clean Up and in April during the Pitch-in Canada week. You and your group can plan your own clean-ups at other times throughout the year. Keep us posted with photos and social media posts.

Invite friends!

The Chippewa Creek EcoPath follows 3.2 km of the 7 km Kinsmen Trail along Chippewa Creek – an amazing trail for biking, walking and exploring the natural beauty of our City. Invite others to explore the EcoPath, the website or join the Adopt-the-Creek program themselves. Share what you’ve learned on managing runoff, shoreline planting, poop and scoop, preventing erosion and protecting the Creek.

Shoreline Planting!

From time to time, NBMCA and our partners coordinate planting of specific native trees and shrubs along the shoreline to help protect the Creek from stormwater runoff and erosion. Volunteers play a big role in making these plantings happen. (Note: please do not do you own planting or removal of any plants along your section of the Creek, contact NBMCA to discuss your suggestions.)

Program Overview

Local businesses, organizations, watershed groups, schools/classes, scout groups and other neighborhood groups can adopt a portion of Chippewa Creek for the purpose of managing litter along stream banks, shorelines, and in the waterway.
Encouraged to monitor their stream section for signs of pollution or illegal dumping and report this to NBMCA.
Designate a representative over the age of 18 to act as the point of contact with NBMCA.
The Adopting Group should walk the section of Chippewa Creek and the EcoPath to ensure the site conditions are appropriate for the abilities of the group’s members.
Adopting Groups agree to collect litter along the creek and path at least twice a year.
Each stream cleanup typically lasts for 1 – 2 hours.
Must commit to adopting their section for a period of at least two years.
Contact NBMCA at least two weeks before a scheduled cleanup. At that time, the Group will be provided with gloves, trash bags, garbage pickers and other support as needed.
Pile litter collected in a centralized location designated by NBMCA and NBMCA will pick it up.
The Adopting Group agrees not to plant or remove any plants along the shoreline or banks or upland areas.

Safety Guidelines

If, at any time, the Adopting Group feels that the adopted section of stream or the surrounding upland areas have become unsafe for cleanups, the designated representative shall contact NBMCA and he/she will work with the group to identify a safer section. Do not pick up materials that the group feels is unsafe. Contact NBMCA for removal.
Individuals under 18 may participate in a stream cleanup only if supervised by an adult.
Cleanup participants shall wear gloves or some form of hand protection.
Always work in groups of two or more.