May 8, 2024 – Watersheds Canada is proud to deliver its program, The Natural Edge, in partnership with over twenty other grassroots organizations across Canada in 2023-2024. This two-year project to increase shoreline resilience and community engagement is generously funded by the RBC Foundation.
Vegetated buffers are effective in removing over 90% of runoff when compared to non-vegetated shorelines, and are critical in mitigating the effects of climate change. These areas provide critical habitat and shade for 90% of aquatic wildlife and 70% of land-based wildlife at some point in their lifetime.
“What makes our approach unique is we have created The Natural Edge App which makes designing shoreline restoration plans fast and easy”, says Chloe Lajoie, national conservation director, Watersheds Canada. “There is no other program that pools all of these resources together and packages it as a ready-to-go program. We are thrilled to be delivering the program this year in partnership with over twenty community groups across Canada.”
The Natural Edge empowers Canadians to take local action on the restoration and conservation of their freshwater resources by enhancing their shoreline areas with native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. The Natural Edge will address the pressing issue of development impacts on local freshwater resources by providing training to each delivery group. The donation from RBC Foundation will support on-the-ground, nature-based action across Canada. This comes at a time when shorelines are under considerable threat from climate change and increased development pressures and unsustainable land-use. Shorelines are pillars of local ecosystems and economies and the RBC Foundation has stepped up to ensure these areas are protected for generations to come.
The program will be delivered in 2023-2024 in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Québec, and New Brunswick in partnership with the following organizations:
- Shawnigan Basin Society, Shawnigan Lake, BC
- Boyne River Keepers, Carman, MB
- Haliburton Master Gardeners Club, Haliburton, ON
- Abbey Gardens, Haliburton, ON
- Big Rideau Lake Association, Portland, ON
- Severn Sound Environmental Association, Port McNicoll, ON
- Watersheds Canada, Eastern ON
- Grand Lake Association, La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau, QC
- New Brunswick Alliance of Lake Associations, various, throughout NB
When a shoreline property owner participates in the program, they are involved in every step of the process. Each custom plan is designed on-site and includes descriptions of native plant species that are selected by the landowner based on their personal preferences and property conditions, such as sunlight and soil type. Using the App, photos are taken of different areas of their property. These photos are then overlaid with selected plants so landowners can see what their restored shoreline will look like before planting actually takes place.
Shoreline property owners living near any of the above listed regional delivery partners are encouraged to contact them directly to arrange a site visit. Spots are limited and are given on a first come, first serve basis. Plantings will take place in fall 2024 and spring 2025.
About Watersheds Canada
Watersheds Canada is a registered Canadian charity committed to providing programs to communities across the country to engage and help individuals enhance and protect the health of their lakes and rivers. Since 2002, they have delivered freshwater stewardship programming, shoreline naturalizations and assessments, and in-water habitat restorations. To learn more, visit Watersheds.ca
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Media contact:
Chloe Lajoie
National Conservation Director
Watersheds Canada
lajoie (at) watersheds.ca
Photo: Stephany Hildebrand