Morphology
An evolving photography exhibit documenting the creation of the Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area, a 26-hectare project on the Lake Ontario shoreline. Local photographers are following the ongoing construction of this coastal wetland as rock and rubble are transformed into a green oasis.
Tour the Morphology 2021 exhibit
Learn more about Morphology 2021 presented at the Small Arms Inspection Building in Mississauga.
Created in partnership with Credit Valley Conservation Foundation and Lakeview Community Partners.
Explore the artwork of the conservation area
Learn about the artists who created them
Exhibit images Artist biographies
If you've been inspired by Morphology and the Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area, email your own images and we'll share them on our social media channels.
One summer afternoon in 2017, Jim and I were touring the construction site of what is to become the Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area. Piles of stones, driftwood, logs and rocks, as well as individual large logs and rocks had been positioned to become future fish habitat in one of three wetlands. Jim said, "Oh, I wish more people could witness the morphing of the waterfront. This looks like a sculpture garden." Within the next few minutes, Jim totally envisioned the concept of an evolving photography exhibit to artistically document the repurposing of what was an industrial waterfront back to natural habitat.
The first Morphology Exhibit held in January 2018, was displayed at the Region of Peel's Water Purification Plant. Since then it has continued to expand documenting the project's progress. Morphology has now also been viewed at the Great Hall in City Hall, the Small Arms Inspection Building, and at the Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives in Brampton.
My sincere hope is that it excites you for the future of Mississauga. Enjoy!
Lee Tovey, wife of Councillor Jim Tovey
About the Jim Tovey Conservation Area
The Region of Peel, Credit Valley Conservation, and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority are working together to create this beautiful and naturalized space.
Area map
The Conservation Area is named after the late Jim Tovey, Peel Regional Councillor for Mississauga Ward 1, who envisioned a healthier waterfront and restored coastal wetlands.
Master plan
Tovey hoped that artistic expression through the photographs in morphology would encourage residents to see this waterfront in a new way, creating a stronger emotional connection with the environment.
Transforming our waterfront
Currently, this area of the Mississauga shoreline does not allow public access to Lake Ontario. The Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area will provide green spaces and beaches, connecting existing parks and trails to the waterfront.
Watch the continuing journey of the Jim Tovey Conservation Area
Most of the fill needed to create the new landscape comes from Region of Peel capital works projects. Excess soil and debris from construction projects has to be removed and contractors used to drive long distances to dispose of it. Now the fill can be sustainably reused in the Conservation Area project. Thousands of trucks no longer have to make that long drive, which means a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
New wetlands will provide wildlife habitat, naturally filtering water before it flows into Lake Ontario. Constructed islands will absorb waves from the lake, creating new habitat for birds and fish.
