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.
Sample Natural Edge Planting Plan by Watersheds Canada
The Natural Edge Program is a shoreline re-naturalization project created by Watersheds Canada. The program provides a free site visit, customized planting plan, native plants, and other materials to help landowners restore their shorelines. The project includes a financial summary, project agreement, and stewardship agreement. The program aims to protect lakes and rivers through effective and long-term solutions.
Saving our Turtles! webinar with David Seburn
This is a handout from our webinar, "Saving Our Turtles!". Canada is home to eight species of native freshwater turtles. These species are at risk due to various threats. To help, you can assist turtles crossing roads, build nest protectors, and join conservation groups. Additionally, if you find an injured turtle, contact the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre or a licensed wildlife rehabilitation centre.
Seed and Genetic Diversity
Genetic diversity in plants is crucially important; a large enough gene pool is necessary to ensure offspring have the best chance of survival. One way that nurseries, greenhouses, and growers ensure they have the best seed possible to grow their plants is by working with seed collectors. Read this blog post to hear from a seed collector about the topics of seed collection and maintaining genetic diversity!
Septic System Starter
Installing and maintaining a septic system is crucial to prevent devastating consequences for freshwater ecosystems. This blog post provides tips on funding, designing, and installing a septic system, including exploring various funding options, selecting the right type of system, and understanding the permitting process.
Septic Systems: they may be out of sight, but they shouldnt be out of mind!
Septic systems are an integral part of a cottage's infrastructure, but it's important to be careful about their use and maintenance to ensure they don't cause environmental problems. This blog post provides a list of dos and don'ts to help you reduce the environmental risk associated with these systems, in addition to sharing some signs of problems that you need to keep an eye out for that let you know when to contact a professional.
Service Learning Project activity
How can you take action in your community to protect the environment and local lakes and rivers? Consider leading a service learning project with your class, family, or friends using this activity!
Shoreland Health Q&A Teller lesson plan
This activity helps students build confidence and capacity to take local environmental action and make an on-the-ground difference for freshwater issues affecting their community. Students will identify and assess ways freshwater habitat and water quality can be enhanced and protected locally. They will also demonstrate an understanding of biodiversity, its contributions to the stability of natural systems, and its benefits to humans.
Shoreland resilience under a changing climate
Climate change is a threat can can cause real devastation to our waterfront properties that we hold so near and dear. It's important to take steps to boost shoreline resilience that will help your property adapt to the changing conditions and prevent damage. This blog post provides an introduction to shoreline resilience, giving you a review of what is is, the main factors that influence it on a shoreline, and how you can boost it for your own waterfront property.
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.