by Abbey Unsworth, Summer Student - Natural Edge and Love Your Lake Canada has recently announced a ban on single-use plastics as part of a strategy to combat plastic pollution. The ban is set to take effect by 2021 and will most likely include items such as plastic bags, straws, cutlery, and take-out containers, but the specifics have not yet been determined. The strategy also focuses on companies that manufacture or sell plastic products, putting a responsibility on them for the management ... Read More
Walleye or Pickerel – The Great Debate
My father and I have had a friendly debate going for a number of years regarding the name of a particular sport fish. And as my career in fish habitat restoration has established, I am finding this is common debate amongst many Ontario outdoors people. As a long time fisherman, my father has always referred to the common fish species Sander vitreus as a pickerel, and when I was younger, who was I to argue with him. Growing up my father instilled in me, my love for the outdoors, from many ... Read More
I Spy With My Little Eye
Written By: Melissa Dakers, 2018 Walleye Spawning - “I Spy with My Little Eye!” After a long winter, the signs of spring are finally upon us, although a little delayed. Spring is a time for renewal, and as the ice leaves the lakes, water temperatures warm, frogs begin to sing, the walleye begin their annual spawn. It is a small one to two week window but if you are in the right place at the right time, it is an incredible sight. Walleye spawn in both river rapids and lake shoals, and ... Read More
The Importance of Collaboration for Charities & Non-Profits
Written by: Barbara King, 2018 Collaboration Best Practices from Watersheds Canada’s Experience In working in the environmental sector, especially where there are so many different groups, agencies, and organizations working on various issues, collaboration is critical to finding solutions to big picture problems that are currently taking place in our country. Working in collaboration has many benefits but also poses some challenges. The National Survey of Nonprofit and Voluntary ... Read More
Shoreline Summer
Written by: Brady Beaupre, 2017 Cruising out on the open water having the warm summer breeze blow by as the boat putts along the shore. What a wonderful way to spend some my summer at work. During the summer of 2017 I received the opportunity to work for Watersheds Canada as a student participating in the Love Your Lake program. I am currently a student in the Environmental Technician program at Algonquin College in Pembroke, Ontario. I was delighted to hear about this job as a partnership ... Read More
A Summer Spent Surveying
Written by: Alexa Mantifel We lounged in our chairs moving slowly along a shoreline, noticing blue herons, baby map turtles, lots of fish and insects, enjoying the sun, the breeze and our summer job. There are never any complaints when you spend all summer doing something you love with people who love it too! That was my summer job with Watersheds Canada. I came back from my first year at Queen’s University and spent quite some time looking for a summer job in my small town ... Read More
Water, water Everywhere!
Written by: Melissa Dakers, 2017 As we approach the mid-summer point of 2017, I keep thinking to myself, what a difference from last year! With very little precipitation and hot summer days, 2016 was one of the biggest droughts that Eastern Ontario has experienced. Seeing the rivers and creeks running dry and thinking about all the ecosystems and wildlife that were affected, makes me ever grateful for the amount of rain that we have received in 2017. Sure it has been a summer of ... Read More
Wild Edibles For Your Health
Written by: Emily Batten, 2017 *Disclaimer* I am not a doctor, registered dietitian, or nutritionist. My goal is to share personal experiences with wild edibles and my research on their benefits. Please do your own research and speak with your family doctor before taking anything for health improvement. Nature is full of bounty, and you can utilize many of its native edibles, some could be in your own backyard. Foraging for wild edibles is a great practise to master for your own enjoyment, or ... Read More
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
Enhancing Fish Habitat with Woody Debris
Written by: Melissa Dakers, 2017 Here Fishy, Fishy, Fishy! The Benefits of Adding Woody Debris to Enhance Fish Habitat With the warmer weather upon us, many Canadians start dreaming about heading to the lake. Visions form of standing on the dock or heading out in the boat and casting a line, hoping to catch the big one! Every fisherperson has their “spot” where they know the fish will bite. But have you ever thought about what makes that “spot” the perfect habitat? Many fish species like ... Read More