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.
Shoreline Habitat Creation Manual by Watersheds Canada
This manual provides guidance on how to create and protect shoreline habitat for fish and wildlife species. It suggests various methods such as planting native vegetation, leaving aquatic vegetation, and creating pathways. The manual also emphasizes the importance of reducing light pollution and installing habitat structures like bat boxes and turtle nest protection cages. By following these tips, landowners can help preserve biodiversity and create vital wildlife habitat.
Shoreline Restoration by Love Your Lake
A shoreline buffer is a strip of vegetation that helps maintain the health of a shoreline. It reduces contaminants, erosion, and improves water quality. A buffer can be created by letting nature take over or by planting trees, shrubs, and perennials. Retaining walls can cause erosion and are not recommended.
Species-Specific Resources From the Invasive Species Centre handout by Watersheds Canada
This document appears to be a collection of fact sheets and posters for various invasive plant species. The species listed include Autumn Olive, Black Locust, and many others. Each fact sheet likely provides information on the species' characteristics, impacts, and management practices. The document also mentions the Invasive Species Centre as a resource for species-specific information.
Start a Nature Discovery Backpack Lending Library with Your Faith Community! poster by Watersheds Canada and Greening Sacred Spaces
The document discusses a lending library for youth to explore local nature areas and watersheds. Each backpack contains free activities and field equipment. The project aims to inspire youth to learn about local species and participate in environmental workshops. The goal is to take local environmental action.
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.
Water quality handout – Water Rangers and Watersheds Canada
The document is about testing the water quality in the Tay River using Water Ranger's tiny test kits. The kits have real scientific tools inside, and by using them, students become community scientists. The test kits include a thermometer, test strip container, and other tools to check the water's temperature, pH, and other factors. The workshop was made possible by various supporters and partners.
Wildflower Garden Guide by Watersheds Canada
A wildflower garden is a visually spectacular, self-maintaining, low-cost garden that brings the beauty of nature to your backyard. Native wildflower species are easier, cheaper, and more ecologically beneficial than using non-native wildflower plants. They attract and protect native pollinator species, which play a critical role in natural ecosystems and human food production. Unfortunately, many pollinating species are declining due to habitat loss, climate change, and other factors, making it critical to preserve and create pollinator habitat wherever possible.
World Wetland Day 2023 - Watersheds Canada Infographic
Wetlands play a crucial role in our global climate, promoting climate change resiliency by acting as a natural defence against floods and drought. They provide many ecosystem services, such as filtering toxic substances and sediments, groundwater recharge, water quality regulation, and more. Wetlands give many benefits to human well-being, providing clean water and supporting recreational activities. They also provide critical habitat for endangered and at-risk species.
Youth engagement and You
Youth are our future. They are the ones that will be inheriting the world, and bringing with them the values and motivations that we instill in them. This blog post provides an overview of the value of youth engagement, and some ways that anyone can get younger generations to appreciate and become inspired to protect our natural resources.