Historic site in Milton gets $2.3 million from feds to go green

Crawford Lake Conservation Area in Milton is going green thanks to a $2.3 million investment from the federal government

In 2023, Crawford Lake was identified as an important site for studying the Anthropocene, a concept that identifies human activity as the dominant force changing the planet’s natural systems.

The lake’s remarkable sediment record and location within a protected area have helped researchers discover the extent of our impact on the environment.

Combining the natural and human histories of this site, the visitor centre serves as a community space and home for Indigenous art, artifacts, and educational resources.

“Today’s announcement demonstrates our government’s commitment to improving sustainability and accessibility for community infrastructure like the Crawford Lake Visitors Centre, an important educational and economic resource in our Halton community,” said Oakville MP Anita Anand.

“Through our Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, we will continue to collaborate with partners to create more environmentally-friendly and sustainable community spaces for all to enjoy.”

This project will include the replacement of windows, doors, and insulation at Crawford Lake Visitor Centre. Upgrades to the HVAC systems will help to decrease the centre’s energy requirements and improve climate control to preserve and protect its artifacts.

Finally, the funding will also help expand the facility with a new entrance space that will contain an accessible elevator. Overall, these upgrades will help the centre reduce operating costs and lower carbon emissions.

“Thanks to the support of the federal government, the new Crawford Lake Visitor Centre will transform the visitor experience and support our commitment to accessibility and inclusivity through carefully designed infrastructure upgrades,” said Chandra Sharma, president and CEO, Conservation Halton.

“This project also enhances our capacity to provide immersive educational programming on the area’s Indigenous history, the impacts of climate change and the unique ecology of this rare meromictic lake.”

The federal government is investing $2,390,960 in this project and Conservation Halton is adding $5,099,040.

The GICB program was created in support of Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. It is supporting the Plan’s first pillar by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and helping develop higher resilience to climate change.

The program launched in 2021 with an initial investment of $1.5 billion over five years towards green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades.