New! Volunteer Opportunity – Tuesdays 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM from May to August. Email urbanforest@hamiltonnature.org to express your interest in volunteering.

Bruleville Nature Park is one of Hamilton’s many important urban forests, and it’s getting a boost through a new stewardship project led by the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club (HNC). This project is inspired by our work at Captain Cornelius Park, where consistent care and community engagement transformed a city forest into a thriving ecosystem!

At Bruleville, the HNC has begun long-term stewardship work focused on restoring and caring for the forest over time, not through one-time plantings alone. Planned activities include:

• Removing invasive species like Common Buckthorn and Garlic Mustard.
• Native tree, shrub, and wildflower plantings.
• Creation of a pollinator meadow.
• Supporting the growth of existing native trees and understory plants.
• Encouraging natural forest regeneration through ongoing, hands-on care.
• Educational opportunities for the community such as workshops, walks, and speaker events.
• Engaging youth from surrounding schools, giving students hands-on experiences in the park and opportunities to learn about nature and stewardship.

Urban forests face unique pressures like compacted soils, invasive plants and insects, heavy public use, and fragmentation. Without active stewardship, these forests slowly lose biodiversity and resilience. With consistent care, they can thrive as real forests, not just green spaces with trees.

This project is also about people. The HNC trains and supports volunteers, works with community partners, and helps residents become stewards of the land. By bringing together the community, we ensure the forest is cared for well into the future.

Thank you to the RBC Community Investment Fund and City Enrichment Fund for supporting this project.

Invasive Species Removal

Native Species Plantings

Educational Workshops

Speaking Events