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. Funding support thanks to Peterborough K.M. Hunter Charitable Foundation, and S.M. Blair Family Foundation.
In-Water Brush Piles (Woody Debris) Protocol video
Underwater woody debris is a healthy component of lake environments. Sunken logs, trees, branches, and root balls provide excellent habitat for wildlife, including fish, turtles, birds, and invertebrates. Beaver activity, wind, erosion, or water inflows from rivers or creeks naturally deposit such woody debris into a lake. However, human activity and development have significantly reduced the amount of natural woody debris from lakes. Communities can promote the health of wildlife populations and improve water quality by creating additional woody debris habitat, such as in-water brush piles. Brush piles can provide fish with a food source, as well as shaded areas to rest, spawn, and escape predators.
In-Water Fish Habitat Enhancement video
Underwater woody debris is a healthy component of lake environments. Sunken logs, trees, branches, and root balls provide excellent habitat for wildlife, including fish, turtles, birds, and invertebrates. Beaver activity, wind, erosion, or water inflows from rivers or creeks naturally deposit such woody debris into a lake. However, human activity and development have significantly reduced the amount of natural woody debris from lakes. Communities can promote the health of wildlife populations and improve water quality by creating additional woody debris habitat, such as in-water brush piles. Brush piles can provide fish with a food source, as well as shaded areas to rest, spawn, and escape predators.
In-water Structures – Brush Protocols
This document outlines planning and implementation guidelines for an in-water brush pile project. It discusses the importance of woody debris in lake environments, the benefits of creating additional woody debris habitat, and the steps involved in planning and implementing an in-water brush pile project. The toolkit provides information on the necessary permits, materials, and equipment required for the project, as well as tips for communicating with stakeholders and evaluating the success of the project.
In-water fish habitat restoration project on Olmstead-Jeffrey Lakes
Walleye, pike, and bass on Olmstead-Jeffrey Lakes now have more places to live thanks to community-led restoration project that saw 18 woody debris piles deployed back into the two lakes. This project was made possible because of generous funding from Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Outdoor Fund and the Pembroke Petawawa District Community Foundation, and with local partners including Olmstead-Jeffrey Lake Association, Muskrat Watershed Council, Watersheds Canada, Algonquin College Pembroke campus, and Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry – Pembroke. This fish habitat project on Olmstead and Jeffrey Lakes was one of many that Watersheds Canada has delivered in partnership with grassroots organizations and local volunteers over the past seven years. These projects have benefited fish species across Eastern and Central Ontario, specifically through walleye spawning bed enhancements, cold-water creek enhancements, trout bed enhancements, and in-water habitat enhancements through the deployment of brush bundles (woody debris).
Invasive Aquatic Species: The invaders we can and cannot see
When thinking of aquatic invasives, most people think of such species as Asian Carp, Zebra Mussels, or Eurasian milfoil. However, there is a new, much smaller invasive in town: the Spiny Waterflea. Read this blog post to learn what makes this miniscule invasive species so competitive against our native species, what its impacts are on them, and what options we have for managing it.
Invasive Species and your Watershed webinar with Derissa Vincentini
Not only do invasive species pose a significant ecological threat, they also negatively impact the economy, recreational experience, and can even pose risks to human health. This free webinar will provide an introduction to invasive species as you learn how to prevent, detect, and monitor them in your lake and the surrounding land. See what makes a species invasive, their pathways of spread, and how to take action and report sightings of invasive species.
Its all about the WHY!
Read this reflection-style blog post from past executive director Barbara King to hear her take on what makes Watersheds Canada's work atmosphere, approach, and outlook on freshwater stewardship so unique and powerful.
Jane and John McAllister Testimonial - Natural Edge
Jane and John McAllister of Graham Lake participated in both the Natural Edge program and the Love Your Lake program offered by Watersheds Canada. Here they share what they would tell potential future participants to the programs, and what they learned.
Join the Monarch Butterfly on its epic journey from Canada to Mexico!
The Monarch Butterfly is one of the most iconic species of insect in North America, and is frequently seen as a symbol for conservation efforts. This blog post guides you throughout the multi-thousand mile journey taken by Monarch Butterflies each year from Canada down to California and even Mexico, and provides some ways that you can help them along the way by planting wildflowers or buying a symbolic adoption.