Welcome to the Watersheds Canada Resource Library!
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.
The Dynamic Coastlines of the Laurentian Great Lakes – Part 2
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, part 2 of a series on the dynamic coastlines of the Laurentian Great Lakes, we will discuss the mechanisms by which erosion can occur on these coastlines, look into why hardened shoreline structures are an inadequate and potentially ecologically harmful option for managing such issues, and provide an introduction into the best options to implement instead.
The Dynamic Coastlines of the Laurentian Great Lakes – Part 3
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 since they are prone to failure and can disturb important natural processes and native species. In this blog post, the third and final part in a series on the Laurentian Great Lakes, we will detail a few strategies for shoreline naturalization on the coastal bluffs and beaches of the dynamic Great Lakes.
The Riparian Zone handout
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 helps to maintain water levels, temperature, and prevent erosion. It also provides habitat for plants and animals, and helps to manage storm water and control floods. Additionally, it provides cooling temperature and shade for terrestrial and aquatic wildlife.
The Science Behind Vegetated Shoreland Buffers
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The Science Behind the Ribbon of Life: Why Vegetated Shoreline Buffers Matter webinar
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 ecosystems. Vegetated shoreland buffers, also known as the 'Ribbon of Life', are essential to the health and sustainability of Canada's fresh water. According to numerous scientific studies, the restoration and maintenance of vegetated shoreland buffers is widely promoted by scientists as an effective best-management practice for fresh water health. Unfortunately, the removal of native vegetation from shorelands has become a harmful and growing trend across Canada and is a major factor in the decline of water quality and wildlife communities (Hadley et al., 2013). Supporting healthy fresh water ecosystems will depend on policy makers and property owners making sustainable land-use decisions informed by scientific evidence. Using highly-cited and peer-reviewed scientific studies, 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 ecosystems. The document also provides a comprehensive overview of the science behind vegetated shoreland buffers, including their role in protecting water quality, mitigating erosion, and providing habitat for wildlife. The document concludes by emphasizing the importance of maintaining or restoring vegetated shoreland buffers to protect water quality, mitigate erosion, and support biodiversity in Canada's fresh water ecosystems.
The Way Forward for People and Waterfowl
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 they provide. Learn more about the benefits of shoreline vegetation and how we can work towards supporting waterfowl species in this blog post!
The only way to protect the shoreline is to plant - Natural Edge testimonial
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 think native plants are so important for protecting the health of shorelines and their local river.
Top 5 Ways to Support Winter Wildlife blog
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 there are things you can do to help support your shoreline wildlife this winter, though. Read this blog post to learn about some ways to do so, including supporting native plant growth, reducing your disturbance around shorelines, winterizing your chemicals, and more.
Vegetated riprap shoreline restoration - Natural Edge Program testimonial
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.