MEDIA RELEASE August 13, 2019
Lake Links Planning Committee
Lake Protection Workbook
The “Lake Protection Workbook: A Self-Assessment Tool for Shoreline Property Owners” was created by the Lake Links Planning Committee, and funding from Watersheds Canada and the Daniel and Susan Gottlieb Foundation has made it possible for the publication and printing of the workbook.
This workbook will educate and engage shoreline property owners in steps they can take to become better shoreline stewards and improve the health of their nearby water body. This comprehensive guide introduces the function of lakes, and helps property owners in self-assessing lawns, gardens, recreation activities, shorelines, wetlands, wildlife, docks and boathouse, sewage systems, light pollution, and runoff.
Shorelines are “the Ribbons of Life”. The area where water meets the land is one of the richest and most ecologically productive places on earth. The shallow waters and first 10-15 metres of shore around lakes and rivers form an area that provides food and habitat essential to the survival of many species. In fact, 90% of all lake life is born, raised, and fed in this area and these areas are up to 500% more diverse in plants and animals than other areas found upland. This rich and diverse habitat supports plants, microorganisms, insects, amphibians, birds, mammals, and fish.
Digital copies of the Workbook are available for free online. Full-colour paper copies are available for order from Watersheds Canada for $1.50 each.
Support for the project has been tremendous, including collaboration and review from: Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority, Friends of the Tay Watershed Association, Lake Networking Group, Lanark County Stewardship Council, Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, and Watersheds Canada.
“The Lake Protection Workbook is a practical collection of everything a lakefront property owner needs to know about being a positive influence on their lake, but it is more than an educational resource. Through answering true and false or multiple choice questions, lakefront property owners are scored on how well their property is being managed to protect the lake. Like all ecosystems, our lakes are complex; many small changes add up. Changes made by property owners can add up to a net benefit or detriment to the lake. The scoring in the workbook helps people quantify the impact their actions are having and enables identification of areas for improvement. Be a net benefit for your lake.” – Holly Evans, Watershed Planning Coordinator, Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority
Healthy shorelines help filter pollutants, protect against erosion, and provide habitat for fish and wildlife. Keeping shorelines natural is the easiest way to protect water quality and the value of waterfront properties.
This photo excerpt from the Workbook highlights the resiliency of a naturalized shoreline compared to an unnaturalized one.
For more information, please contact Robert Pye at pye (at) watersheds.ca or visit www.watersheds.ca/
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Would happen to have the work book in french?