Publications
Lake Protection Workbook: A Self-Assessment Tool for Shoreline Property Owners
Check out our “Lake Protection Workbook: A Self-Assessment Tool for Shoreline Property Owners”. Diagnose any shoreline property problems, and see how you can help your shoreline. You can download an online copy for free, or contact us for a physical copy for $1.50. Printing funded by Watersheds Canada and the Daniel and Susan Gottlieb Foundation.
This Workbook was produced by the Lake Links Planning Committee with 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.
Habitat Creation Manual
This manual is intended for landowners wanting to enhance their properties, or create habitat which is essential for fish and wildlife species. This manual was possible because of generous funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Government of Canada. Natural Edge – Shoreline Habitat Creation Manual
Wildflower Garden Guide
This guide will help landowners create their very own native wildflower gardens which will benefit our local pollinator species: bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. This guide was possible because of generous funding from the Daniel and Susan Gottlieb Foundation. Natural Edge – Wildflower Garden Guide
Native Plant Care Guide
This manual is intended for landowners participating in the Natural Edge Shoreline Naturalization Program. Naturalizing your shoreline is a great way to improve and protect your waterfront property. Naturalizing shorelines is a process which takes some time and care and plant loss is a normal occurrence in nature. This Guide will help you maximize your plant survival rate by providing you with information on how to maintain and care for your new plants – Restoring the Ribbon of Life! This guide was possible because of generous funding from the Government of Canada. Natural Edge – Native Plant Care Guide
Citizen Science Programs in Ontario
Developed for the 2019 Lake Links workshop, this handout outlines general identification and monitoring programs, and species identification and monitoring programs for animals, insects, birds, invasive species, water quality, and weather. This handout was compiled by Holly Evans from Cataraqui Conservation. Handout – Citizen Science Programs in Ontario
How to Engage Community in a Lake Plan
The process of developing a lake stewardship plan relies on full involvement and participation of the community on and around the lake. The process is community-driven, and the resulting plan is a community plan. Recounting the experience of conducting a lake plan for Mississippi Lake can offer useful insights into how to best engage people in such a process. This project was based on the Mississippi Lake Planning Project funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. How to Engage Community in a Lake Plan
Fish Habitat Enhancement Protocols
Before starting your own project you may want to consult our step by step protocol on In-Water Brush Piles, available here: In-Water Brush Bundle Protocols.
It includes everything you will need to know, from planning and developing the project through to carrying it out successfully.
These protocols were prepared by Lanark County Stewardship Council and Watersheds Canada, and was possible because of generous funding from the Government of Canada.
Walleye Spawning Bed Enhancement Protocols
Before starting your own project you may want to consult our step by step protocol on Walleye Spawning Bed Enhancement in Ontario, available here Walleye Spawning Bed Protocols. It includes everything you will need to know, from planning and developing the project through to carrying it out successfully.
These protocols were prepared by Lanark County Stewardship Council and Watersheds Canada, and was possible because of generous funding from the Government of Canada.
BioBlitz Protocols
This manual will provide guidance and suggestions to best maximize the efficiency and value of these events through proper data collection and data sharing. The resources provide include species checklists, data entry forms, registration forms, information for landowners, and media and communications documents. As each BioBlitz is unique in its purpose, goals, challenges, and limitations, the advice and resources used during each event will be dependent on the organizers and participants.
Assistance for this project was provided by the following: Project Steering Committee: Jeff Ward, Community Stewardship Council of Lanark County; Barbara King, Watersheds Canada; Karen Hunt, Otty Lake Association; James Pagé, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources; Stew Hamill David Crossman, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources; Claire Lefrancois, the Friends of the Mac Johnson Wildlife Area; Partner Groups: Community Stewardship Council of Lanark County; Watersheds Canada; Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources; YMCA/YWCA Youth Eco Internship Program; Otty Lake Association. A guide for Planning Community BioBlitz Events in Eastern Ontario
Light Pollution Handout
Developed at the 2008 Lake Links workshop, this handout outlines solutions to light pollution, including an activity for children to build a simple shield for outdoor lights using outdoor paint and cardboard. Light Pollution handout
Fact Sheets
What is a Watershed?
A watershed is an area of land that catches rain and snow, and allows it to drain into a stream, river, lake or seep into the ground as groundwater. Learn more: What is a Watershed?
Algae
Want to learn more about algae? Check out our Fact Sheet: Algae in Ontario Photo Source: Willem van Aken, January 1989, Science Image, https://www.scienceimage.csiro.au/image/4628
The Benthic Zone
Interested in the life within the substrate? Read our Fact Sheet: The Benthic Zone Photo Source: Macrobenthics, January 2016, Wikipedia the free encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benthos
The Riparian Zone
Known as the “Ribbon of Life”, the riparian zone is an area between the upland zone and the shoreline. Learn more from Fact Sheet: The Riparian Zone