What’s A Creek Worth?

Fourteen Mile Creek, like many urban creeks, runs the risk of being under-appreciated for its vital natural heritage and environmental values.

Fourteen Mile Creek provides:

Natural corridors of movement for migratory species of songbirds, butterflies and dragonflies
Year-round habitat for living, breeding and migration of local animals, from insects like dragonflies, to mammals like deer, fish like trout, and birds like owls, and amphibians like salamanders
Remnant forested ravine habitat and historical ecosystem elements, such as Sugar Maple-American Beech forested ravine communities
Uncommon habitat for rare species such as Slender Sedge, Sharp-leaved Goldenrod, and Redside Dace
Water control and purification: forest, wetland, and floodplains take in water flow from farms, parks and city blocks into natural depressions that can absorb large rain events. Water is also re-released slowly as it passes through plants and soils, helping continue flow in drier seasons while also filtering out sediments and contaminants

Air purification: rich plant communities absorb polluted air, removing contaminants and giving off fresh oxygenated air

Reduced ‘heat island’ effect: without plant cover, heat islands of hard, unnatural city surfaces absorb sunlight and raise air temperatures
Vital green space for communities to enjoy, with huge benefits to human well-being

Read more about URBAN CREEK CHALLENGES

All photos and text provided by ecologist, David d’Entremont.