The Natural Edge Program is possible because of generous funding support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and Daniel and Susan Gottlieb Foundation. Wonderful community partners make it possible for the Natural Edge Program to be delivered far beyond Eastern Ontario! To see if the program is offered in your area, please visit our partners webpage.
“I would love to see all cottage owners restore their shorelines using native plants thereby creating wildlife habitat shoreline stability and a clean healthy lake. I could not have achieved any of the restoration that has been done so far without the help of Watersheds Canada as I am not well versed in the plants native to the area and I live in California. Strongly support the Natural Edge program & would be willing to donate money. I also would love to see cottagers GIVE UP THEIR LAWNS.”
“We want to make sure that our shoreline is as natural as possible and at the same time demonstrate to our neighbours that we care and that they could also participate.”
“The natural plants that I planted do better than some of the store bought plants that I planted.”
“This program was instrumental in confirming that my property was “not” bad from an environmental perspective. It also outlined suggestions for improvements. It would be the correct approach to make this assessment mandatory for all lake front property owners.”
“It’s a very valuable program and I hope that it continues so that others may have the benefit of your expertise.”
“We really appreciated the Watershed Natural Shoreline Program, wow. The team, expertise, and service truly exceeded all of our expectations. The process started with a visit from the team who gathered the necessary data. Then we received a full report detailing every plant, the reason for selecting it, and how it would mitigate various issues for us. The plan also provided a breakdown of number of plants needed and cost and a design where they would go on the property. We immediately approved the plan and not too long afterwards the team visited our cottage and implemented. We were so impressed by their level of expertise and over and above their service, they gave us information on existing plants. I can’t say thank you enough and I plan to become a regular donor. I have already shared our experience on Facebook with our lake and river friends. Thank you again for this superior program, without it we would not have known how to make improvements. Keep up the very good work and I look forward to sending you photos down the road as our beautiful natural shoreline grows.”
“While I had a narrow ribbon of life along my shoreline, the Natural Edge program allowed me to more than triple the area. The knowledgeable and helpful staff provide a very detailed planting plan and did an excellent job planting over 300 trees and bushes. Two years later, the plants are thriving. This is a wonderful program and has a significant positive impact on water quality.”
“It is sometimes difficult to know how to restore a shoreline, especially if it has been altered for a long period of time. Help and advice from Watersheds Canada was critical for us. Watersheds Canada first completed an on-site assessment, the made up a plan complete with photos and graphics and provided an estimate of costs. After initial planting, we were re-visited twice by Watersheds Canada who made sure that our plants were thriving. The sign installed by Watersheds Canada on our lakeshore has promoted discussion among our visitors and the boating public when they drift by. If you want to preserve your lake while at the same time promote the health and welfare of local wildlife, then sign up immediately! Mother Nature will thank you!”