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.
Engaging Municipal Elected Officials to Protect our Freshwater webinar
Leading up to, and following the October 24th Ontario municipal election, Watersheds Canada will help bring rural waterfront communities together for an interactive webinar on what’s on every lakeshore property owners’ mind these days – how are we going to protect natural freshwater features in the wake of climate change and increased shoreline developments? Darlene Coyle, Watersheds Canada’s Environmental Policy and Planning Program Lead, will be speak about the actions municipalities need to take now to ensure that our lakes and rivers are clean and healthy for generations to come. Municipal councilors are elected with the authority to develop and evaluate policies and programs of the municipality. Therefore, it is important to utilize this upcoming election to identify candidates that are prepared to take immediate action to protect our freshwater in the long-term, past their four-year term. This is a chance for property owners to use their voice to make a positive impact on their community by voting this fall! Candidates, get ready to be assessed if freshwater protection is your local priority as we will offer the audience our top 5 questions to ask you before and after election day.
Erosion by Love Your Lake
Shoreline erosion can happen naturally or be caused by human disturbances. Human activities cause 10 times more erosion than natural processes. Removing shoreline vegetation and other human activities can cause erosion and affect water quality and wildlife habitat. To prevent erosion, protect the natural shoreline, reduce runoff, minimize boat wakes, take precautions during construction, and limit foot traffic.
Exploring How We Can All Protect Freshwater Health webinar
In this family-friendly webinar, Chloe and Monica from Watersheds Canada will explore different factors on land and in the water that can impact local freshwater health and the wildlife that live there. Walk away with steps you and your family can take to help protect the waterfront that you love.
Field Notes: Restoring Shorelines Using Native Plants
This short blog post provides details on the experience of one of our past interns with working for our The Natural Edge shoreline restoration program.
Fish Habitat Enhancement Toolkit Guide WEB
This guide introduces different types of fish habitat enhancement projects and provides resources to complete them. It covers topics such as underwater structures, walleye spawning bed restoration, and cold-water creek enhancement. The guide also includes protocols and videos for each project, as well as information on permits and funding. The ultimate goal is to improve fish populations and water quality by enhancing fish habitats. The guide is designed for lake associations, fish & game clubs, and local residents who want to get involved in fish habitat enhancement projects.
Giving Back to Your Freshwater: Using The Natural Edge to create a resilient and beautiful shoreline
Natural shorelines, those with lots of native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers, are healthy shorelines. This blog post reviews current trends in shoreline ownership with regards to shoreline health, and provides an overview of The Natural Edge program which seeks to improve it. It also provides some advice on how everyday people can take action to improve conditions for their own lake.
Guide to Building Resilient Shorelines manual (web)
This manual outlines several actions that can be taken to help create resilient shorelines capable of adapting to changing conditions. It provides information on how to protect your shoreline from the impacts of climate change, including installing raised stairs, planting deep-rooted vegetation, and managing stormwater runoff. The guide also emphasizes the importance of nature-based solutions and the benefits of using permeable materials and pathways. By following the steps outlined in this manual, landowners can help ensure the long-term health and resilience of their shoreline.
Guide to Preparing a Shoreline Naturalization Planting Plan
You will receive access to the resource 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 unsubscribe at any time via a link provided in each communication. For more information, you may contact us at [email protected]
Happy Earth Day! 3 Free and Easy Ways to Create Wildlife Habitat
This blog post was written in celebration of Earth Day. It provides you 3 simple and free ways that you can protect sensitive shoreline habitat and the wildlife that live there: creating a "no mow" zone, leaving aquatic logs, and leaving terrestrial logs and leaf litter.