Here you will find a comprehensive collection of free educational resources dedicated to helping rural shoreline property owners, families, municipalities, lake groups, and educators protect their lakes and restore natural habitat. Explore guides, best practices, case studies, lesson plans, and tools to become a freshwater protector. All resources are freely shareable so please include them in a newsletter, on social media, or printed for a community booth!
Funding support thanks to Peterborough K.M. Hunter Charitable Foundation, and S.M. Blair Family Foundation.
With water level fluctuations operating on daily, seasonal, and annual cycles, and with frequent disturbances from high winds, large waves, seiches, and storms, the Laurentian Great Lakes are truly dynamic freshwater systems. In this blog, …
Erosion is a common problem on coastal bluffs and beaches on the Great Lakes’ coastlines. Despite the ubiquity of hardened shoreline structures in the region to manage these issues, such options are often not ideal …
The Riparian Zone is an area between the upland zone and the shoreline, providing distinct rich, moist soils for diverse plant communities. A healthy riparian zone contains diverse plant species, aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, and …
You will receive access to the document after you complete the below form. By providing your email, you agree to be added to Watersheds Canada online mailing list and receive occasional electronic communications. You can …
This document outlines the benefits of vegetated shoreland buffers and discusses why local decision makers, landowners, developers, and landscape professionals should maintain or restore native vegetation to achieve holistic protection for water front properties and …
Shoreline vegetation supports so many species, from fish, to amphibians, to mammals, to insects, and yes - even waterfowl! Waterfowl and other bird species rely on these areas for the nesting, foraging, and sheltering opportunities …
Mike and Margo are two volunteers from the Thousand Islands Area Residents Association (TIARA) in Ontario. In this video, they share why they helped with a recent The Natural Edge restoration planting and why they …
Winter in Canada can be difficult, especially for wildlife. Moreover, the increased development of natural areas has placed stress on species throughout the year but particularly in the wintertime. However, the silver lining is that …
Megan McCarthy, a Natural Edge participant, shares her experience naturalizing her shoreline property on Dalhousie Lake. She planted trees in her riprap, giving her shoreline extra stabilization against the effects of erosion.