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
Cities In Bloom
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
Thank you for a great year!
As 2016 draws to a close, it provides us with an opportunity to look back at everything we have accomplished. It has been a fantastic year at a Watersheds Canada due to all the amazing support we have received from our staff, board, volunteers, and financial supporters. We are so excited for 2017, during which we will continue to increase our efforts to protect and restore our lakes and rivers! In looking at what we have accomplished this past year, we would like to highlight a few exciting ... Read More
Microbeads – Not a Very Tiny Piece of Jewellery
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
Water – “Change is Upon Us”
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
Natural Edge Contest Winner!
Over the summer, Watersheds Canada held a contest for the Natural Edge program. Contest participants had to send in photos of their shoreline and a story of why their shoreline is so important to them. Through the fall, Natural Edge staff read through every single entry, some more than once, and narrowed the entries down to 3. And after much deliberation, a winner was chosen! It is my great pleasure to announce that Rick and Debbie Zabloski of Graham Lake are the winners of the 20” x 17.5” ... Read More
Three Summers with Watersheds Canada
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
New App for Algae
New App for Algae EASTERN ONTARIO, August 24, 2015 — Algae and aquatic plant observations can now be made on your smart phone. The People, Aquatic Plants and Healthy Lakes Project has just released an Android app for lake and river users to report any algae or aquatic plants that they observe on their waterbody. The Android app called Citizen Water Watch can be downloaded for free at the Google play store. App users will be asked to take a photo of what they are reporting, provide a ... Read More
Natural Edge – Spring Planting Success!
As summer approaches and the spring planting season comes to a close, Watersheds Canada is proud to continue working towards shoreline rehabilitation through our Natural Edge program. This spring, we planted 21 sites on 9 lakes working alongside home and cottage owners in the rehabilitation and naturalization of their shorelines. Through these efforts, the Natural Edge staff have successfully planted a combined total of over 6121 square metres of shoreline with 1839 native plants. The program ... Read More
Process and Maple Syrup
I just had the most amazing experience from the simple task of making maple syrup from the trees around our property with our kids. It was an incredible feeling to make our own syrup even though it took 2 days, 5 trees, 10 hours of boiling, a million questions from my kids, and about $20.00 worth of propane to literally boil down to less than a litre. So how could this bring me so much joy! Maple syrup making reminds me of our work at Watersheds Canada in so many ways; the best part of a ... Read More