Collaborating for a Greener Future

Since 1998, Willow Park Ecology Centre (WPEC) has transformed into a thriving hub for education and conservation, engaging thousands of students and community members through collaboration and a vision of sustainability.

Vision and Values

Our mission is to empower the community in sustainable environmental conservation, with a vision of a community living in harmony with nature. Guided by our core values, we strive to make this vision a reality:

  • Leadership and Integrity through strong commitment to community contribution.

  • Collaboration for mutually beneficial results.

  • Stewardship through experiential education and all-ages mentorship.

  • Inclusiveness, ensuring an accessible, welcoming, and diverse park space.

Impact and Awards

Since its founding in 1998, WPEC has repeatedly received formal recognition for the excellence of its programs and projects earning prestigious awards for its work in restoration ecology, educational programming, and community leadership and engagement.

Awards include: Arts Alive Award for Heritage 2017 for restoration and enhancement of local natural heritage, from the Halton Hills Cultural Roundtable. Three Awards of Merit (2002, 2010, 2016) from Credit Valley Conservation Friends of the Credit. The 2016 award recognized community engagement and leadership of the Hungry Hollow Collaborative to improve the natural health of Hungry Hollow. Recognition also came from Conservation Halton (Urban Restoration Stewardship Award) in 2006 and the Ontario Trillium Foundation (Environment Award) in 2010.

The Centre has completed several large grant-funded projects, restoring habitats for wildlife (both at WPEC and upstream in Hungry Hollow) and developing unique public and educational programs. It has provided science-curriculum-linked environmental education to over 13,500 students and engaged around 1,000 people annually through volunteer and community programs. WPEC donates an estimated $60,000 annually to the Town of Halton Hills through in-kind time and materials.

A Rich History of Leadership and Impact

The land known as Willow Park Ecology Centre is owned by Credit Valley Conservation and was once a year-round trailer park decommissioned in the 1980s due to recurring flooding, including Hurricane Hazel in 1954.

In 1998 the Town of Halton Hills, guided by its Environment Advisory Committee (TEAC), envisioned transforming this site into a unique urban nature park. The vision was inspired by Peterborough’s Greenup Ecology Park. With funding secured from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (3 grants over 14 years) and the dedication of countless volunteers and community partners, the area was restored into a thriving, habitat-rich riparian ecosystem offering education programs to schools in Halton and Peel Regions.

Leadship for ecology restoration was continued during a second major ecosystem restoration project in 2015-2019. Initiation and leadership of the 7-member Hungry Hollow Collaborative delivered habitat enhancement upstream along Silver Creek within the Hungry Hollow ravine. The Hungry Hollow Restoration Project removed invasive Eurpean buckthorn and then planted native species to enhance succession and reduce regrowth.

Today, WPEC serves as a hub for environmental education, restoration, and recreation. The park is maintained with the support of the Town’s Parks and Works departments and continues to grow as a community resource for generations to come.

A Hidden Jem in Historic Norval

The Centre is nestled in the ravine lands of Norval, a village steeped in history and natural beauty. Settled in 1820 by John McNabb, Norval became an industrial hub with mills powered by the renewable energy of the Credit River. Then, in the 1830’s George Kennedy (namesake of Georgetown) settled near the valley and prospered using mills powered by Silver Creek. Through rail access, it gained popularity as a recreational destination for Toronto’s elite. In addition, Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables, called Norval home from 1926–1935 describing the magic of its “pine forests and gurgling river” (Smithsonian Magazine).

The Centre is a hidden jem at the confluence of Silver Creek and the Credit River in the Credit River Watershed. Located within the biodiversity hotspot known as the Credit River – Hungry Hollow Centre of Biodiversity (CVC CRWNHS Natural-Heritage-System) stewardship efforts are hugely significant for conservation. The vibrant ravine ecosystem not only supports educational programs but also contributes to the ecological health of the region, connecting Norval’s rich natural history with its promising future.

Finally, all stewardship and education activities encompass the significance of “Ontario landscape level conservation” because of the importance of the Credit River in helping to recharge Lake Ontario’s water basin (endorsed by grant funding secured from the MNR and Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Canada 2017-2019 for the Hungry Hollow Collaborative Project).

Meet our Staff and Volunteer Board of Directors

  • Tunde Otto, MSc

    Executive Director

    A restoration ecologist and educator, I aim to foster environmental sustainability! I helped to establish the Centre. I created it’s Complementary 7-Program System. Its “sustainability literacy” from hands-on programs to integrate gained environmental insights into your everyday life!

  • Linda S. Hillman

    Acting Chair (2025-present)

    There are several passions I support, but environmental and wildlife habitat will always trump them all. 

    The environment is where we all meet; where we all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share” - Lady Bird Johnson

  • Luke Thomas

    Treasurer (2025-present)

    I am happy to apply my passion for nature to help to conserve the area and give opportunity for others to enjoy nature discovery. It is my work sponsored Social Responsibility project. I helped with events and videos and now also finance. I encourage others to join us in this adventure.

  • Kashmira Dhamorikar

    Director (2025-present)

    I started volunteering for park care and programs with kids in 2021 and decided to join the board to help with leadership too. I love being in nature, walking trails and even winter camping in Canada. I want to share this by building our audiences and capacity for serving more people.

  • Paulina Fedko

    Director (2024-present)

    I’m excited to contribute to future strategic plans and continue being part of something greater than myself. Check out our support efforts to incorporate environmental education and inspire a love for nature within our community.

  • Genevieve Lim

    Director (2025-present)

    Slow down, take a breath. As a resident of Georgetown, when I take my kids outside we all feel better. I invite other parents to do the same. I want to help WPEC provide a place for meditation, recreation and education.

  • Tanya Colacci

    Director (2025-present)

    I am excited to help develop the business further as a wonderful not-for-profit resource. I want more of these places for my kids as I raise them. I will apply my expertise from working at RBC to support WPEC’s many great projects.

  • Frosina Krstevska

    Director (2025-present)

    I look forward to all the seasonal opportunities at WPEC as I raise my young children with care for the environment in their learning.

  • Nicole Pereira

    Director, Chair 2021-2025

    My goal is to bring my passion to ensure a legacy of environmental protections and preservation across generations. Environmental stewardship develops when individuals connect with nature, so I encourage everyone to volunteer, attend our programs and events, feel the impact the Ecology Centre has on the local community.

  • James Crawford

    Chair, Treasurer 2019-2025

    As a Federal Regulatory Specialist, I saw devastating effects invasive species have on our environment. Combined with urban sprawl and climate change our environment is under constant attack. WPEC gives chances for young students – and adults, to learn to be environmental stewards in hopes that it will thrive for many generations to come.

  • Christine Bradshaw

    Director, Secretary 2022-2025

    I am deeply passionate about community building and environmental stewardship as both have a profound impact on the health and well-being of individuals and society. 

    Willow Park provides me, and the community, the opportunity to support these causes.

  • Devon Doane

    Director 2018-2025

    This is a great opportunity to use my expertise to help an organization with a common goal - preserve our environment & get outdoors!

    Volunteering at Willow Park Ecology is an awesome way to connect with nature and yourself.

  • Char Karunaratne

    Director 2021-2025

    Driven by a passion to preserve natural areas, I advocate for experiential learning - connect with distinctive habitat flora and fauna and appreciate nature’s beauty. Checkout our Strategic Plan, see how we’re working toward goals. Recycle, Reuse, Upcycle - protect the environment.

  • Shoaib Akram

    Director, Secretary 2018-2023

    I started as a summer student during my studies as a Civil Engineer. I helped with special projects and programs and wanted to do more so I joined the board. I love digging for tree planting and learning about Canadian history in the area while giving back to the community.

Join Us On Our Journey

Whether you volunteer, attend an event, or support us with a donation, you’re helping to create a greener future locally and globally! Together, let’s nurture a lifelong connection with nature.