Environmental Restoration at Abbey Gardens
- Abbey Gardens
- Sep 12
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 14
From Gravel to Prairie: The Little Pit Transformation
What was once a dry, sandy wasteland stripped of life is now bursting with colour, pollinators, and hope. Welcome to the Little Pit Prairie at Abbey Gardens, an ambitious restoration project led by our ecologist Cara Steele, her restoration team, and more than 50 individuals since 2017, including volunteers, students, and community partners.
Why a prairie?
We set out to reclaim our decommissioned gravel pits into thriving ecosystems. With limited resources, no irrigation, and sandy soil, we needed to work with the land, not against it. Native tallgrass prairie plants—with roots that reach 10 feet underground—were the perfect fit. They’re hardy, store carbon, and provide critical habitat for hundreds of species, including grassland birds whose populations have declined 57% since the 1970s.
What makes this project unique:
One of the few examples in Ontario of converting a gravel pit into a tallgrass prairie.
Located outside the ecosystem’s historical range, using assisted migration to prepare for a changing climate.
Every step has been done by hand—from seeding to planting.
Children from our EcoExplorers program proudly call themselves the Tallgrass Prairie Guardians, collecting seed and planting each year.
Why it matters:
Less than 2% of tallgrass prairie remains in Ontario, making it one of Canada’s most endangered ecosystems. The Little Pit Prairie is not just restoring land. It’s providing a living classroom for students, researchers, and community members. In fact, ongoing studies here could shape the future of quarry reclamation across the province.
How you can help:
This project is made possible through donations, fundraising events, and community support. Your gift helps us. If you’d like to support ongoing work at this site, please consider donating.
Further Reading:
Growing New Life in an old pit: creating tallgrass prairie in a community-focused, multi-use reclamation space
