Mississauga conservation area sees tens of thousands of native trees planted

The 64-acre Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area has had tens of thousands of native trees and shrubs planted since 2017 and is on track to open to the public in May.

The Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area in Mississauga is on track to open to the public in May. The 64-acre restoration project is led by Credit Valley Conservation, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and the Region of Peel, with contributions from the cities of Mississauga and Toronto. Crews report that tens of thousands of native trees and shrubs have been planted at the site since 2017 and that winter work continues to monitor survival and protect young plants. The project reuses construction rubble and fill to rebuild a previously degraded shoreline on land that was once the Lakeview Generating Station. Known details: - Site size: 64 acres (26 hectares) of waterfront land. - Public opening planned for May after a nearly year-long delay from the initial schedule. - Since 2017, tens of thousands of native trees and shrubs have been planted and are being tracked for survival. - A trail camera has been installed to record wildlife such as white-tailed deer, kingfishers, trumpeter swans and snapping turtles. - Two pedestrian bridges were placed in September to connect trails, boardwalks and lookouts across the site. - The project cost is reported as $59 million and the site is named for the late Mississauga councillor Jim Tovey. Summary: The restoration has introduced large-scale plantings and infrastructure intended to create habitat and a more resilient shoreline on a redeveloped industrial site. Officials continue monitoring plant survival and wildlife as the site prepares for a May public opening.