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.
Overview of Canadian policies for the protection of Ontarios freshwater ecosystems
The document provides an overview of Canadian policies for the protection of Ontario's freshwater ecosystems. It discusses the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), Ontario's Clean Water Act, Ontario's Fisheries Act, and the Code of Practice by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). The policies aim to address road salt pollution, which poses a significant risk to aquatic life and water quality. The document highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each policy and guideline, and emphasizes the need for a collaborative approach to address the challenge of road salt pollution.
Parts of a plant worksheet
This document is about the four parts of a plant. It asks the reader to identify the parts and match them to the correct words. The parts of a plant are the leaf, root, stem, and flower.
PFAS: The Forever Chemicals
Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large, complex group human-made substances. They are nicknamed 'forever chemicals', as their rate of decay in the environment is so slow - and throughout this long period of decay, they can cause significant damage to our environment. Read this blog post to find out about our exposure to PFAS, about PFAS in Canada’s drinking water, about their environmental consequences, about their impacts on us and the environment, and more.
Phragmites australis: Why we cannot afford to ignore this invasion webinar with Janice M. Gilbert
This is a handout from our webinar, "Phragmites australis: Why we cannot afford to ignore this invasion" webinar. Invasive Phragmites australis is a critical issue in Canada, threatening ecosystems. To control it effectively, a careful plan is necessary, considering factors like timing, capacity, and wildlife. A unique strategy is required for each situation, and access to funding, experts, and volunteers is crucial. This flow chart and education resource aim to help individuals and community groups develop a plan to address invasive Phragmites in their area.
Pierre - Natural Edge testimonial
Pierre planted over 100 native tree and shrub species along his shoreline to create a "natural edge"! We're excited to see how his plants continue to mature and fill in as time goes on.
Pike and woody debris colouring sheet
Woody debris piles provide a safe place for fish to eat, lay eggs, rest, and hide from predators. The piles are made up of branches, snags, and root balls in the water. This habitat is beneficial for fish species such as pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and sunfish. By providing a safe haven, these piles contribute to the overall health of the ecosystem.
Pine Lake In-Water Fish Habitat Enhancement - Watersheds Canada
Funding from the LUSH Charity Pot has allowed for the in-water fish habitat enhancement in Pine Lake, about 60 minutes west of Perth in the Township of North Frontenac, Ontario. The project was completed thanks to twelve members of Watersheds Canada and local volunteers. Twelve bundles of brush were built and deployed on Tuesday, October 15, 2019. 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, invertebrates, and more. Brush piles can provide fish, such as perch, bass, and walleye, with a food source, as well as shaded areas to rest, spawn, and escape predators.
Planning for our Shorelands webinar with Christopher Dennison
Planning for our Shorelands is a collaborative project bringing together expert planners, scientists, and lake stewards from across Ontario. Its objective is to provide meaningful best-management practice resources and ‘shoreland networking’ opportunities for those who influence Ontario’s lakes and rivers. In this free webinar, we will present on the importance of lake and river shoreland ecosystems, share results from a series of surveys which gauge the current state of shoreland stewardship and land-use in Ontario, and discuss the future of the Planning For our Shorelands project. Born in the heart of the Thousand Islands, Christopher Dennison has a long professional and personal relationship with freshwater stewardship. His academic background in the social and natural sciences has afforded him the skills necessary to find innovative and meaningful solutions to conservation issues. Outside of his academic and professional endeavours, he is an avid outdoorsman and writer, and will soon begin pursuing a Master of Science at Trent University.
Planning Tools for Shoreline Protection webinar with Melissa Markham
Shoreline protection in municipalities is best achieved through appropriate land use planning tools. In Ontario, the community planning permit system (CPPS) is a land use planning tool that municipalities can use for environmental protection. My experience with this tool will demonstrate how municipalities can achieve an appropriate balance between natural shorelines and physical structures. Tune in to learn about the CPPS and how you can promote this tool for your shorelines.