Environmentalist Lynda Lukasik remembers when Windermere Basin was an industrial cesspool and finds it exciting to show people how restoration efforts have transformed it into a naturalized wildlife area in the shadow of heavy industry.

Lukasik, executive director of Environment Hamilton led a public education walk Saturday, along with others, through the Windermere Trail that starts at Eastport Drive and circles around to where the Red Hill Creek flows into the harbour.

With heavy industry like steelmaker ArcelorMittal Dofasco across the waterway as a backdrop, Lukasik spoke happily about seeing coyotes, small deer, feral animals and new bird species over the past...