Today, Hydro One, alongside the City of Hamilton, Dundas Turtle Watch and the Royal Botanical Gardens, reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability through the completion of nearly 800 feet of turtle barrier fencing near Cootes Paradise to protect turtle populations. According to the Royal Botanical Gardens, Snapping Turtle populations in the area have declined by approximately 75 per cent since the mid-1980s.
“This partnership has made a lasting difference in the community by protecting and preserving turtle populations and the well-being of the local ecosystem,” said Jay Armitage, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Hydro One. “Through partnership and collaboration, we are advancing sustainability and helping communities across Ontario to build a better and brighter future.”
Last year, Hydro One partnered with the not-for-profit Dundas Turtle Watch and the Royal Botanical Gardens to install turtle barrier fencing and two new turtle nesting beds on Hydro One property. To advance Hydro One’s sustainability efforts, the company installed additional barrier fencing beyond its
property to protect this important and vulnerable species. The barriers have reduced the risk of turtle deaths from roadway crossing by approximately 74 per cent on Olympic Drive since 2019.
“In Hamilton, we are fortunate for the beautiful natural landscape that surrounds us and it is important that we all strive to be strong environmental stewards. This newly installed barrier fencing will effectively ensure the safety of vulnerable turtle species and contributes towards our ongoing conservation work at Royal Botanical Gardens properties,” said Fred Eisenberger, Mayor, City of Hamilton. “Thank you to Hydro One for its contributions towards protecting our environment, and congratulations to the Dundas Turtle Watch and the Royal Botanical Gardens on their critical advocacy for protecting vulnerable wildlife in our community.”
“Many thanks go out to Hydro One. This project is another example of how valuable our partnerships and relationships are as we work together to protect and preserve our natural areas and the wildlife within them,” said Arlene Vanderbeek, Councillor Ward 13, City of Hamilton. “Turtle protection has long been a significant focus in this community and we are grateful for the continuing contributions from Hydro One to protect the turtle population in Cootes Paradise.”
"I would like to thank Hydro One for the fantastic support we received in creating turtle nesting beds and adding turtle/amphibian fencing on Hydro One and City of Hamilton property in Dundas,” said Glenn Meldrum, Dundas Turtle Watch “All 8 species of native turtles in Ontario have been designated as 'species at risk' and this project will definitely help stem the decline in this area of Coote's Paradise and help conserve the area's biodiversity. Thanks once again to all involved!"
“Cootes Paradise is the largest un-trailed area along the western end of the Lake Ontario shoreline from Oshawa to Niagara-on-the-lake,” said Sarah Richer, Species at Risk Biologist, Royal Botanical Gardens. “Without Hydro One’s cooperation the turtle population here would continue plummeting. Great groups such as Dundas Turtle Watch, the Hamilton Conservation Authority, the City of Hamilton and of course Hydro One were instrumental in getting this fencing set up. This fencing is going to go a long way to stopping the onslaught of constant turtle death that this corner was experiencing.”
In August, Hydro One released its sustainability report that provides a balanced account of its environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. Key priorities for Hydro One include preparing for the impact of climate change and reducing its environmental footprint; strengthening Indigenous and community partnerships in order to build socio-economic capacity across the province; and diversifying talent across the workforce.
The sustainability report is available at www.hydroone.com/sustainability.
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Hydro One Limited (TSX: H)
Hydro One Limited, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, is Ontario's largest electricity transmission and distribution provider with approximately 1.4 million valued customers, approximately $27.1 billion in assets as at December 31, 2019, and annual revenues in 2019 of approximately $6.5 billion. Our team of approximately 8,800 skilled and dedicated employees proudly build and maintain a safe and reliable electricity system which is essential to supporting strong and successful communities. In 2019, Hydro One invested approximately $1.7 billion in its transmission and distribution networks and supported the economy through buying approximately $1.5 billion of goods and services. We are committed to the communities where we live and work through community investment, sustainability and diversity initiatives. We are designated as a Sustainable Electricity Company by the Canadian Electricity Association. Hydro One Limited's common shares are listed on the TSX and certain of Hydro One Inc.'s medium term notes are listed on the NYSE. Additional information can be accessed at www.hydroone.com; www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov.
Forward-Looking Statements and Information:
This press release may contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Words such as "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "attempt," "may," "plan," "will", "can", "believe," "seek," "estimate," and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking information. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or actions and involve assumptions and risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking information. Some of the factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from the results expressed, implied or forecasted by such forward-looking information, including some of the assumptions used in making such statements, are discussed more fully in Hydro One's filings with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Hydro One does not intend, and it disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking information, except as required by law.
SOURCE Hydro One Inc.
