Removing Barriers to Shoreline Action

by Christopher Dennison, Municipal Policy Intern In a previous blog, we highlighted the paradox between persistent unsustainable land-use practices and the general desire among shoreline property owners for conserving water quality. In this blog, we will continue the discussion and explore the ways in which organizations and governments can spur pro-environmental action for the betterment of shoreline property owners and aquatic ecosystems.   Lack of education and awareness are often cited ... Read More

by Ty Fischer, Freshwater Health Coordinator Millions of years ago, great frozen giants covered our land. The rapid temperature increase following the ice ages caused the mile-thick glaciers to recede, gouging the earth and pushing sediment to form sharp moraines (NOAA, n.d.). Then, the water from their melt filled the great depressions, leaving behind what we now call lakes (NSIDC, n.d.). This process is responsible for much of the landscape we have in Canada. With more lakes than any ... Read More

by Paige Jessup, Climate Resilience Intern Shorelines are the interface between land and bodies of water that are important for both humans and wildlife. Shorelines facilitate the exchange of resources between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and therefore affect the functioning and ecological condition of both ecosystems (Wensink & Tiegs, 2016). Protecting our shorelines is vital to our lakes, fish and wildlife, as well as our economy.   Furthermore, a natural shoreline consisting ... Read More

by Jonathan Miller, Freshwater Conservation Intern In our wetlands, rivers, forests, and shorelines live a quiet, often overlooked group of species: Canada’s native herpetofauna! This is the collective term for amphibians and reptiles encompassing frogs, toads, snakes, turtles, and salamanders. Though small and frequently hidden away, these species play disproportionately important ecological roles in our natural environments. Their presence and absence serve as sensitive indicators of ... Read More

by Holly Douglas, Environmental Technician Placement Student Whether they're darting through wildflowers along a lakeshore, gathering pollen in a backyard, or nesting quietly beneath bare patches of soil, native bees are hard at work across Canada every spring. And while they may be small, their role in keeping our ecosystems healthy is anything but.  This World Bee Day (May 20th) is an opportunity to celebrate these incredible pollinators and reflect on how the choices we make on our own ... Read More

by Ty Fischer, Freshwater Health Coordinator Whether you are a cottage owner, canoe tripper, or a freshwater researcher, it is easy to foster deep personal ties to the freshwater systems in our lives. However, we do not often enough think about the legacy of the water these systems hold. These ancient processes connect freshwater areas like lakes, rivers, wetlands, creeks, and ponds to us.  The interconnectedness of our freshwater is a large part of what makes it so valuable in the first ... Read More

by Alexa Button, Climate Change Resiliency Intern In 2019, the status of the Spotted Gar in Canada was uplisted to endangered, signalling the need for change to protect this unique living fossil in our waters (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 2024). The spotted gar is a freshwater fish with an armoured body, and a long toothy snout, inhabiting quiet pools, backwaters and bays with an abundance of aquatic vegetation or woody debris (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 2024; Staton et al., 2012). This ... Read More

by Jane Pangilinan, Digital Engagement Technician Lakes are an amazing feature of nature. They provide water, habitat, and enjoyment to humans and animals alike. It is critical to take care of the lake and nature surrounding us. If we are considerate of our lakes, we can better enjoy what they have to offer.  What do we value in our lake communities? Is it the scenic waters, the ability to swim in a clean lake, or something else? Love Your Lake, a program co-delivered by Watersheds Canada ... Read More

by Alexa Button, Climate Change Resiliency Intern The Channel Darter is a rare small member of the perch family. In 2019, the Lake Erie and Lake Ontario populations were placed on the endangered species at risk list (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 2024). In Ontario, this species can be found in the following waterbodies: St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie, Detroit River, Trent, Salmon, and Moira River watersheds as well as the Ottawa River (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 2024). This ... Read More

by Alexa Button, Climate Change Resiliency Intern The term “minnow” is often used broadly to refer to any small fish, however minnows range from small to large freshwater fish belonging to the order Cypriniformes and the families Cyprinidae and Leuciscidae (Coad, 2015; Conservation Commission of Missouri, 2025). However most minnows in Canada, including the at risk Pugnose Shiner, Bridle Shiner and Cultip Minnow, belong to the “true” minnow family, Leuciscidae, within the order of ... Read More