The Many Health Benefits of Nature

Written by: Chlöe Lajoie, 2017 Spring is here! That means that it’s time to start spending more of your days outdoors. Have you ever noticed how you feel better, both mentally and physically, when you spend some time in nature? There’s a reason for that: there are many health benefits related to being outside.  Vitamin D Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that your body requires to function properly; without it, you’re at risk of muscle weakness, increased blood pressure, cardiovascular ... Read More

Written by: Brent MacDougall, 2017 Ever worked too hard, and too long, for no pay? Thanks for volunteering! I would like to take a moment to deviate from our usual style of posting to thank all of the wonderful volunteers who devote personal time to worthy causes. Whether it be the lake resident who devotes endless amounts of time to ensure proper water quality sampling procedure and standardization, or the individual who selflessly spends hours preparing delicious treats for a community ... Read More

Written by Heather Murphy, 2017 Lakeside living is a dream that many Canadians aspire to attain at some stage in their lives. By putting in the time with their 9-5 jobs, working hard and saving their money, maybe just maybe, they might be lucky enough to own a little slice of heaven on a lake somewhere. The “Great Canadian Dream”, for some, of owning waterfront has gained massive popularity with retirees looking for a quiet retreat and working professionals trying to escape the perpetual rat ... Read More

Written by: Barbara King, 2017 I spend a lot of time working with small groups and individuals that are working to change the way that people act towards our freshwater and over the past 15 years have come to the conclusions that we need to change the way that we talk to people about freshwater issues. As environmentalists, we often come at things the wrong way when working in our communities. This isn't to say that there isn’t a time to fight but generally when you get down to the fundamental ... Read More

Written by: Jorden Keeley, 2017 Due to the nature of our work here at Watersheds Canada, we are constantly surrounded by an abundance of plants, fish, and wildlife. Admittedly, often times we take our surroundings for granted. Visiting city centres often helps us to appreciate our unique work environment, by allowing us to recognize the contrast that urban development has created. Moving from a rural environment to an urban one forces you to notice whatever tiny patches and parcels of green you ... Read More

Written By: Brent MacDougall In today's realm of environmental awareness, the majority of citizens would be unlikely to discard plastic directly into our fresh and oceanic water systems. However, unknowingly ordinarily environmentally conscious individuals may be polluting our water systems through washing their face, brushing their teeth or scrubbing their body. The reason individuals may be performing an act of pollution is due to one word, "microbeads"!   Now, you may ask what ... Read More

Written By: Barbara King Water is vital to life and well-being. We know that water resources have a finite capacity to support development and land use changes. 95% of the worlds water is saltwater 5% is freshwater. Of this freshwater: 69% is found in ice 30% is found in groundwater less than 1% of the Earth’s water consists of surface water, only 1% of this is renewed by snow melt and rain each year Source: Environment Canada, 2009 As executive director of an ... Read More

Written By Emily Bacon I have had the privilege of working for Watersheds Canada for the past three summers while studying at Queen’s University. I am writing this blog, reflecting on my three wonderful summers, on my very last day with them. I have grown and learned so much which has truly been a one of a kind experience. It was an odd match at first – I’m in geological engineering and Watersheds is a non-profit organization dedicated to our lakes and rivers, but I wasn’t going to pass up ... Read More

On January 22nd, 2015, we hosted our first fundraiser, the Watersheds Gala. We were honoured to have renowned author and citizens’ advocate, Maude Barlow, as our keynote speaker, and the energetic and revered Canadian professor and naturalist, Michael Runtz, as our Master of Ceremonies. With the generous support from our sponsors, Freshwater Future, Leo Adams Investments, McIntosh Perry, MEC, the Sharbot Group Inc., and TD Canada Trust, and several kind silent auction contributors, we could ... Read More