Backgrounder: Water Wonders by Melissa Mathieson

WATER WONDERS by Melissa Mathieson celebrates the rich and diverse wildlife found along the Toronto Waterfront and throughout the greater Lake Ontario area. The artwork features local species such as raccoons, wild salmon, shrimp-like crustaceans, turtles, butterflies, and birds—including swans and the black-crowned night heron.

By highlighting wildlife species that were once extinct or endangered in Toronto and are now returning thanks to restoration efforts, WATER WONDERS serves as a vital reminder of our ecosystems and the urgent need to protect them. The artwork invites viewers to reflect on the impact of environmental change and inspires us to care for the nature around us. 

WATER WONDERS is both a tribute to the beauty of local wildlife and an educational tool for all ages—sparking important conversations about conservation, biodiversity, and our shared responsibility to keep our environment thriving. 

About the Artist

Melissa Mathieson is a Montréal-based freelance 3D artist with a BFA from Concordia University. After years of practicing fine arts, she now works exclusively in 3D, bringing characters and environments to life with extra dimension. Her work is inspired by whimsy, nostalgia, and nature, often featuring quirky characters, natural elements, and brightly colored cities. The artist is represented by LNDMRK Inc. who produced this artwork. 

Commissioned by Waterfront Toronto in collaboration with the Waterfront BIA. 

Toronto Waterfront Wildlife Depicted in Water Wonders

Raccoon 

Raccoons are commonly seen throughout Toronto, including along the waterfront. With over a million in Ontario, Toronto has one of the highest raccoon densities in the province. Highly adaptable, they forage in diverse environments and eat fish, eggs, fruit, nuts, and various scraps. Strong swimmers and climbers, raccoons use their dexterous paws to hunt. Their urban presence signals a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem. 

Salmon 

Chinook Salmon are the most prevalent Pacific salmon in Toronto’s waterways. Salmon species make their remarkable migration in the autumn, when water temperatures fall. During this season, salmon leave the lake and swim upstream through rivers, creeks, and streams across the Greater Toronto Area to reach their spawning sites. One exception is the Rainbow Trout, the only Salmonid species that spawns in local rivers during spring. Around 100 years ago, Atlantic Salmon disappeared from the area due to human impact, however this native species is now making a return thanks to the Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program. 

Turtle 

There are five native turtle species in the Toronto waterfront area: Midland Painted Turtle, Common Snapping Turtle, Northern Map Turtle, Blanding’s Turtle, and the Stinkpot (Common Musk Turtle). While shoreline development has impacted turtle populations, with over 85% of Lake Ontario’s wetlands lost, ongoing efforts to restore and create wetlands are showing positive results. These initiatives have led to the return and gradual growth of turtle populations along the lake. Some turtles can be seen sunbathing on rocks and logs during the day, while others remain submerged in the water. 

Monarch Butterfly 

Toronto and southern Ontario play a major part in the Monarch Butterfly's migration journey, as a significant stopover area as they head south. They pass through this corridor during late summer and fall and can fly around 80km a day during migration. Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed, which contains toxins that make them distasteful to predators - while adult monarch butterflies obtain nectar from a variety of wildflowers. 

Trumpeter Swan 

Canada’s native swan and the largest in North America, the Trumpeter Swan was once locally extinct. Since its reintroduction in the 1980s, the wild population in south‑central Ontario has increased steadily from zero to over 3,000 by 2021. Fun Fact: Trumpeter Swan cygnets are able to swim almost immediately after hatching, which is typical for swans and many waterfowl species. 

Black-Crowned Night Heron 

The Black-crowned Night Heron feeds on crustaceans, fish, and insects found along the waterfront. Commonly seen around the Toronto Islands, it’s easily recognized by its black cap, dark grey back, pale grey wings, and striking red eyes. Unlike most birds, this species is nocturnal—often spotted hunting at dusk. 

Amphipods 

Amphipods are small, shrimp-like crustaceans commonly found in freshwater habitats such as rivers, streams, lakes, and marshes. The Hyalella azteca complex is the most widespread native freshwater amphipod in North America, including the Great Lakes region. These amphipods thrive in shallow coastal waters and wetlands around Toronto. They contain pigments called carotenoids, which, when consumed by fish such as trout, accumulate in the fish’s tissues and can contribute to a pinkish-red coloration. 

Learn more on artist Melissa Mathieson's website.