Freshwater Stewardship Engagement Toolkit
The two-year Ottawa Faith Community Capacity Building program provides faith communities with the tools and resources they need to identify a freshwater stewardship need in their community and take action using the Freshwater Stewardship Engagement toolkit and a microgrant program. This program is possible thanks to generous funding from the Ottawa Community Foundation, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, and the Living Cities Canada Fund of Green Communities Canada.
Click on each project type below to access invaluable resources, case studies, and local knowledge for the Ottawa and surrounding area so you can learn about an issue and how to take action with your faith community.
Community Gardens
Community gardens are beautiful and beneficial for your community and surrounding wildlife! Create a native wildflower garden, edible garden, rain garden, or wildlife-friendly pollinator garden to create habitat, promote biodiversity, and protect and beautify the land.
Community Science
Become a community scientist and contribute to research and conservation efforts by documenting species that live near you! Plan a BioBlitz event, participate in species monitoring programs, or record and share wildlife observations in online databases.
Fish Habitat
Enhance fish habitat with native plantings, woody debris piles (brush bundles), rock piles, and more! Help protect freshwater fish populations by restoring key aquatic habitat features like food sources, cool water, shelter and protection, and spawning areas.
Green Audits and Retrofits
Energy Benchmarking helps raise awareness and knowledge of your building’s energy use, while an energy audit consists of an inspection survey with an energy analysis for your building. These help in making practical and cost-effective energy-efficient decisions!
Indigenous Water Education
Explore stewardship actions rooted in traditional knowledge and understand different cultural perspectives on the protection and preservation of water! Learn about Water Walks, the Sacred Water Circle, Indigenous water governance, and why water is sacred.
Invasive Species Management
Invasive species are aggressive and can degrade ecosystems by outcompeting native species. Learn how to recognize and manage invasive species of terrestrial and aquatic plants, invertebrates, and fish to help protect species at risk and critical habitat.
Natural Shorelines
Humans share the critical land-water interface along shorelines with a variety of wildlife. Create a beautiful natural shoreline buffer consisting of native vegetation to foster wildlife habitat, improve shoreline stability, and protect the health and beauty of your lake.
Shoreline Cleanups
Take action and contribute to shoreline conservation efforts by leading a cleanup with your community! Preserve the health and beauty of Canada’s freshwater by picking up litter and tracking what you find.
Stormwater Management
Stormwater originating from precipitation can cause flooding and increased surface runoff. Discover how to manage stormwater and harvest rainwater for irrigation using techniques such as rain gardens and rain barrels!
Youth Engagement
Engaging youth will help educate and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards and provide diverse perspectives and new insights on your project! Also, read youth leaders’ testimonials and learn how to organize and manage a youth-led action project.
Learn more about the Ottawa Faith Community Capacity Building Program here.