​​​Funding will support wetland enhancement, habitat improvements and stormwater infrastructure upgrades along Heart Lake Road

BRAMPTON, ON (August 10, 2026) – The City of Brampton, in partnership with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), has secured close to $1.2 million in provincial funding through the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program to support the Heart Lake Road Wetlands Connectivity Project. The project will enhance wetlands, improve wildlife habitat, upgrade stormwater infrastructure and strengthen ecological function within the Heart Lake wetland complex.

​​TRCA CEO John MacKenzie, Brampton North MPP Graham McGregor, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and Ontario Environment Minister Todd McCarthy at the Heart Lake Road Wetlands Connectivity Project funding announcement. Photo Credit: City of Brampton

Planned enhancement work through this funding includes:

• restoring and expanding wetland habitat
• replacing an aging culvert to improve water flow and wildlife passage 
• installing wildlife fencing to guide turtles and other wildlife safely beneath the road 

The work will also help reduce flooding and improve the ecological health of the Heart Lake wetland complex and its connection to Spring Creek.

Construction began in June 2026, with TRCA serving as the construction manager and project partner to the City.

The Heart Lake Road Wetlands Connectivity Project also supports the broader goals of Brampton’s Road Ecology Program by improving habitat connectivity and creating safer passage for wildlife.​

Advancing road ecology in Brampton

Endorsed by Brampton City Council in 2024, Brampton's Road Ecology Program is a long-term initiative that protects wildlife, improves road safety and strengthens the City's natural environment by identifying locations where roads create barriers for wildlife movement. The program uses monitoring, research and targeted infrastructure improvements to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, restore habitat connectivity and help wildlife move safely between wetlands, forests and waterways.

Since launching the program, the City has completed extensive monitoring along the Heart Lake Road corridor, between Sandalwood Parkway East and Mayfield Road with the support of community volunteers. During the 2025 monitoring season, 27 trained volunteers recorded 106 incidents involving wildlife and roadways, helping identify one of Brampton's highest-priority locations for wildlife connectivity improvements. These findings directly informed the restoration work supported through this provincial investment.​

To learn more about the project, visit brampton.ca/HeartLakeRd.​​

Quotes

"Brampton is grateful to the Government of Ontario for this significant investment in the Heart Lake Road Wetlands Connectivity Project. Protecting and restoring our wetlands is an investment in both our environment and our community's resilience. By enhancing natural infrastructure, improving stormwater management and reducing flood risk, this project will help safeguard residents, strengthen local ecosystems and preserve these important natural spaces for future generations. We also appreciate our partnership with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority as we continue working together to build a greener, more resilient Brampton." - Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton

"Heart Lake Road is an important corridor for residents and local wildlife alike. This funding will help restore valuable wetland habitat, improve water flow and create safer passage for turtles and other wildlife. Projects like this demonstrate how thoughtful infrastructure investments can protect the environment while strengthening our community for the future." - Michael Palleschi, Regional Councillor, Wards 2 and 6; Chair, Planning and Development Committee, City of Brampton

“Wetlands are vital natural infrastructure that protect our homes and businesses against drought and flooding, clean the water and create habitat for a variety of wildlife. We are proud to support this important project here in Brampton, which will preserve this vital natural space for this community, ensuring future generations can enjoy the many benefits that healthy wetlands provide.” - Todd McCarthy, Ontario Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

“Heart Lake is an important part of our community, and protecting it means protecting the families, neighbourhoods, and natural spaces that make Brampton North such a great place to live. This investment will help reduce flood risk, restore valuable wetlands, and strengthen our local environment for future generations. I am proud that our government is investing in projects that deliver lasting benefits for Brampton residents." - Graham McGregor, Member of Provincial Parliament, Brampton North 

“Protecting the ecological health of the Heart Lake Conservation Park and surrounding wetlands has been part of TRCA's work for decades, and projects like this demonstrate what strong partnerships can achieve. We thank the City of Brampton and local environmental organizations, including the Heart Lake Turtle Troopers, for their work to champion this initiative. We also thank the Province of Ontario for its investment through the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program. Together, we're working with the community to make infrastructure safer and more resilient while protecting this valuable ecological corridor for species travelling to and from the Heart Lake Conservation Park.  - John MacKenzie, Chief Executive Officer, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority