From Toronto’s recent flooding to record-breaking storms in coastal cities, it’s clear that the effects of extreme weather are no longer a distant concern. They’re happening now – and the risks of flooding, erosion, and stormwater runoff are only increasing.
With rapid urban growth and aging infrastructure, these challenges are growing harder to ignore. This is where science-driven solutions come in: they’re essential to protecting our communities and the environment for years to come.
The Source to Stream Conference addresses these challenges head-on.
This annual event goes beyond discussion to inspire meaningful action and drive tangible results. It serves as a hub for exchanging ideas, exploring innovative solutions, and advocating for smarter approaches to water management.
Held on March 26 and 27, 2025, this year’s conference brought together professionals from diverse fields to address emerging challenges and share real-world strategies for managing watersheds in a changing climate.
Hosted by Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) in partnership with Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) and Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA), the two-day event explored the latest developments in sustainable water management and community-led initiatives.
Source to Stream 2025 welcomed 62 speakers and more than 870 delegates. TRCA Chief Executive Officer John MacKenzie and CVC Chief Administrative Officer Quentin Hanchard opened the event with messages addressing the urgency of climate resilience and the power of collaboration.
John MacKenzie’s remarks underscored the real-world impact of these challenges, emphasizing that climate-related issues are not abstract concepts – they are pressing realities affecting communities today.
Over two days, attendees enjoyed the opportunity to engage with nearly 40 different presentations that tackled timely and relevant topics in water management.
One of the highlights of the event was the keynote presentation by Laurian Farrell, Deputy Commissioner of New York City’s Bureau of Coastal Resilience, and a former TRCA team member.
Farrell offered a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most complex water management systems in the world, providing firsthand insights into how a global city is adapting to intensifying climate risks.
Other notable presentations included:
Building Up Resilience for Existing Drainage Networks: Approaches with Water Squares and Sponge Parks in Montreal (QC) by Gilles Rivard, Lasalle-NHC.
Montreal’s recent large-scale floods have highlighted the need to rethink drainage system retrofits. With climate change increasing extreme rainfall events, a full system reconstruction isn’t feasible, requiring a new resilience-focused approach.
This strategy includes using streets as flow paths and converting parks or low-lying areas into “resilient parks” or “sponge parks” that temporarily retain runoff, reducing street flooding. These parks function like regular parks but are built in depressions to redirect excess water during storms.
Montreal plans to develop more than 30 such parks in the coming years. The approach is inspired by international projects, particularly in Rotterdam, and was discussed alongside four case studies of completed and planned projects.
Bringing the CLI-ECA Framework into Action: Guiding Principles to Inform Stormwater Management Practices by Derek Smith and Aziz Ahmed, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP).
This presentation covered the implementation of the Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Environmental Compliance Approval (CLI-ECA) framework, highlighting its role in improving municipal stormwater management.
Issued by Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), the CLI-ECA framework streamlines environmental approvals and emphasizes well-planned monitoring based on technical guidance and best practices.
Attendees learned about the monitoring activities required and the details outlined in the stormwater monitoring guidance document.
The significance of the Source to Stream Conference grows each year. It is one of the few platforms of this size dedicated to the exchange of knowledge, science-based approaches, and collective action, and it is essential for addressing the growing challenges of water management.
Source to Stream continues to set the standard as North America’s premier stormwater and erosion control event.
TRCA extends its gratitude to the sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, delegates, and volunteers whose support makes the conference possible.
Bringing this event together is no small feat, and TRCA deeply appreciates everyone’s commitment and hard work. A special thank you goes to the Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program (STEP) and the TRCA Events team for their invaluable contributions in making this event a success year after year – a testament to the dedication and tenacity of these teams.