Natural Edge update: Muskrat watershed

It was a rainy, snowy, and cold finish for the Natural Edge team in the Muskrat watershed. November 2020 marked a bittersweet moment as the team finished their three-year project to restore agricultural buffer zones in the region. The team is grateful to all the property owners and community partners who made this project such a success, especially with the group restrictions this past year.   Photo One: Students from Algonquin College's Outdoor Adventure Naturalist work with Watersheds ... Read More

Are you starting to think about your Christmas and holiday shopping? Are you looking for gifts that make a local impact for your freshwater environment? This year you can make a symbolic adoption to help freshwater ecosystems and species recover and thrive through habitat restoration projects led by Watersheds Canada and local community groups across the country. This year has been difficult as we all adjust to the long-lasting impacts of COVID-19. You, along with other generous supporters, ... Read More

Pruning is a technique used to help support the growth of native trees and shrubs, and while it is not required, it may be a good option for your property to protect pathways, sight lines, or protect plants from neighbouring competitors. It can be a tricky and overwhelming task if you don't know what to look for or how to properly prune. What Should I Prune? First, you will want to determine which species you want to prune. It is best if you watch your property throughout the year while ... Read More

Though we don't always see them, bats are incredibly important to the spaces where we live - they eat thousands of insects each night, and act as important pollinators, bringing pollen further than a butterfly or bee would be able to. Bats need your help - they are threatened by habitat loss, pesticide use, and fear and misinformation leading people to remove their homes and roosts. This Halloween, you can provide a home for your local bat species! Bat houses provide a place to roost and ... Read More

We are excited to announce that the 19th Annual Lake Links workshop is taking place on Saturday October 24th, 2020 from 10am-12pm. Due to current health guidelines and the safety of attendees, this year's workshop will take place exclusively online. You will receive log-in information for the webinar closer to the date. We encourage you to register early to stay up-to-date! Free registration can be found here. This year's theme is "Effective Engagement for Positive Action". The day will ... Read More

In 2019, Watersheds Canada, in partnership with the Daniel and Susan Gottlieb Foundation, granted volunteer groups with funding support towards projects that had a positive impact on the health of lakes and rivers and involved their lake community. Here are 5 activity updates: Shoreline Naturalization Program & Lake Protection Booklets The Cavendish Community Ratepayers Association Inc. was able to secure shoreline plants and the Lake Protection Workbooks for their community. More ... Read More

Love Your Lake (LYL) surveys continued on Kashwakamak Lake in North Frontenac Township as Maggie completed the surveys on behalf of Watersheds Canada, a LYL delivery partner in Eastern Ontario. She was out throughout July to assess the shoreline properties using the detailed protocol, ultimately creating a customized report for each property owner that is filled with voluntary recommendations to naturalize their property. In total, 674 properties were assessed. While things may look a little ... Read More

After retiring and moving to the countryside seven years ago, Alan and Joyce are enjoying the peace and quiet of life on the water. Having both grown up going to cottages for vacation, they now are able to spend more time in nature and enjoy the panoramic views with little evidence of people around. “Natural shorelines are important to us because it draws in more nature – plants and animals – to our property. We enjoy looking around and seeing and living beside the natural shoreline”, said Alan, ... Read More

Shorelines are one of the richest environments on earth, but they are also among the most threatened. Habitat loss and degradation, water quality impairments, and increasing pressures from shoreline development can deteriorate our lakes and rivers, making them a priority for environmental stewardship and restoration. The Natural Edge Program helps shoreline property owners restore their shoreline, protect their water quality, and create habitat for wildlife and pollinators. Trained staff walk ... Read More